Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 10:19:52 -0400
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: My R134a experience
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2006090700085649@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I recently repaired an early 86 Vanagon Westy A/C system (see my previous
posts about the radiator fan debacle). I found that the high pressure plug
in the dryer had done it's job and blown out when the system overpressurized
due to radiator fan low speed failure (long story). Anyway the old
compressor was completely seized up (operator error) and I had to flush the
system, replace the dryer, expansion valve and the compressor with a rebuilt
unit. One thing I noticed was how quiet the rebuilt unit was. Usually I
just recharge old Vanagon A/C systems with Freeze-12 or R-134a. The
compressors are almost always noisey but many of them are almost 20 years
old. The rebuilt unit was almost silent. I normally add some oil to the
old systems as well but it never seems to do much in the way of quieting old
compressors. Just wanted to pass on this oberservation.
To me if you want to try add 134a to a low system I know from personal
experience that it will work to get the A/C system going as long as the
system will hold a charge. If you have a slow leak you will probably get
two or three months out of it or even the whole summer. Your compressor is
old now. It is almost worn out. Even if adding 134a would have some
adverse effect on your compressor (which I am not convinced that it will)
what do you have to lose? You are probably going to have to replace your
compressor within the next couple of years anyway. At that point you can
flush everything and replace the oil, etc. Up to that point, I say add a
can or two of R-134a and have some cool air.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
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Phone: (856)-327-4936
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Victor Spinetti
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 12:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: My R134a experience
If your '85 has the original Sanden/Sankyo ac compressor it will be noiser
if the refrigerant amount is low. Or of course if it is wearing out. Also
carefully check comp. v-belt & pulleys on crank & comp. Any uneven wear can
cause vibration & noise. Many "cheapo" belts are uneven width all the way
round & will cause a vibration at certain rpm. Belts from NAPA/Gates are
more money but usually better quality & run quieter.
