Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 21:55:08 -0400
Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: help w/ charging/filling AC
In-Reply-To: <d3d506477f7bb9186af1c9d1c6492a31@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Dusty,
If it has been converted to R134a, there will be a blue sticker in an
obvious place, near the charging fittings, saying that it was converted
... when it was converted ... who converted it ... and what kind of oil
was used (PAG or ESTER). The charging fittings will be different, too.
If you'd like, I can take some pics tomorrow of one that has been
converted as well as fittings for R12.
R134a should not have been put in the system unless (at a minimum) the
receiver dryer was replaced with a newer type that has dessicant that's
compatible with R134a ... the compressor was removed and completely
purged of mineral oil (then cleaned and refilled with PAG or ESTER) ...
a cleaner run throughout the system ... any O-Rings that were disturbed
were replaced with the newer type and a vacuum pulled on the system for
at least 45 minutes (longer is better).
A good idea is to replace the expansion valve, too, but I didn't and it
cooled satisfactorily for 3 years on the charge it was given at conversion.
Just today I had to recharge the system and it is again cooling fine.
Mike
Houlton, Maine
dusty edwards wrote:
> i'd like to use this R-134 do-it-yourself kit that i just purchased,
> however i'm not 100% sure if my '90 Westy has been converted or not.
>
> i bought the vehicle last summer and had it charged last summer by Ken
> Morgan, here in Denver..........for those of you that are familiar w/
> Denver area mechanics. i don't remember much about my conversation w/
> Ken in regard to this job, but i do remember him telling me that he was
> going to put a vacuum on the unit to extract whatever was already in
> there - he then filled it (with whatever) and i paid him about $75...i
> think.
>
> so, i pose two questions:
>
> 1. is there a way to tell if the system has been converted?
>
> 2. is there a chance that Ken filled the unit w/ R-134 (after vacuuming
> or cleaning it) to run off of the original system? (would R-134 even
> work in the old (unconverted) system?) ...if so, can i just refill the
> system w/ R-134?
>
> thanks for your help!!!
> dusty.
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