Date:         Tue, 6 Jun 2006 18:47:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: lots of a/c trouble shotting questions...
Comments: To: shawn feller <feller@CARBONCOW.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <200606061812648.SM03140@main>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

I have. I had the evaporator on the GoldBrick get clogged with some
gunk. It wasn't the gunk you'd get from mixing oils though. But did
end up getting replaced.

If this compressor has been sitting around for a long time, I'd be
suspicous about the oil in the system. A complete system flush and
adding the appropriate oil into the system would be the "proper" way
to rehab the system.

On the stock VW Westy set up (late  model at least) the high pressure
port is in the cabinet on the left side. The low pressure is in the
engine compartment.

What do you mean by "sky high" pressure on the low side? Yes, there
are low and high pressure switches on the system (also in that
cabinet). To expose those, you'll have to remove the shelves, and the
then the corner section (inside) of the rear most cabinet.

A high pressure in the system doesn't mean you have the correct
amount of refrigerant. Just a high amount of something. The AC system
has refrigerant, and oil in it. The oil is in there for lubrication
of the compressor. There is also a small amount of water, which can
creep into the system when it is set up. That's why there is an
receiver/dryer....to keep that contained. In a system that is leaky,
you can get too much water...which is not good for the compressor.

With the engine running and pressure gauge hooked up to the low and
high pressure sides, you should see a difference in pressure. If
there isn't, the compressor isn't working. When the clutch on the
compressor kicks in the difference between the low and high sides
should be dramatic.


On Jun 6, 2006, at 6:04 PM, shawn feller wrote:

> I've done most of my own A/C on older
> vehicles with great luck. I don't change
> o-rings unless I see a leak and I've
> never heard of a condenser or
> evaporating clogging?