Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:15:21 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: How to convert to 134?
In-Reply-To: <48209E65.6080901@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Ken,
Thanks, this is very helpful. Here's my particular situation. My 90 vanagon
had been parked since the fall with head problems. While I was doing all
that earlier this spring, I took the opportunity to go through just about
everything on the car that wasn't quite right, including replacing one of
the long AC hoses front to back. It was dripping lube oil onto the exhaust
on the left and would smoke and stink after I shut the motor off. So, I've
lost a little lubricant.
Before this incident, the AC was cooling great. No problems.
So, it sounds like I need to figure out how to jumper the compressor. Any
advice? And since I'm missing a little lubricant, what do you suggest doing
about that?
Jim
On Tue, May 6, 2008 at 1:07 PM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> Jim,
> I have done this conversion many, many times and at many, many different
> levels. When I initially started out I was really super picky about
> changing out things and going by what the early EPA/Air Conditioning sites
> recommended. However time has passed and I have been in a hurry with no
> equipment and just wanted cold air. If you have a later model Vanagon
> (86-91) you can go to Wal-mart buy four cans in a kit and convert the van in
> ten minutes. If you system is totally flat, add about a can of R134a to
> check for leaks and then replace what ever parts are needed that way. If
> the system still has a little in it then it probably has just leaked out
> over time (normal) and you can recharge it and it should last a while.
> Charge into the low side (S port). If the compressor doesn't want to kick
> in you can hot wire it and run it until it picks up enough refrigerant to
> stay on by itself. The biggest pain is that the R134a charges really slow.
> I hurry it up by putting the can in some warm water while it is charging.
> The whole system holds less than four cans so if you charge it to that
> point and it still isn't working (putting out cold air) then I would shut it
> down and figure on replacing the compressor, drier, and expansion valve,
> blowing the hoses out, putting new oil and o-rings in. If it does put out
> cold air then just use it until it starts losing it's charge again. If you
> want to find where it is seeping from if you have a slow leak you can buy
> R134a with leak detector dye in it (it is messy though).
> I have found that about 75% of the time you can just charge the system
> with a couple of cans and you are good to go for several months. I charge
> mine about twice a summer. Cost to me is about $36 in R134a and my time.
> It works really well and should freeze you out of the van. Whenever you
> turn the A/C switch on you should get the radiator fan on as well at the
> same moment. If this fan does not come on then you should check your low
> speed radiator fan resistor. This needs to function if the A/C is going to
> work well for you. If you have a problem with speed number 3 that is
> usually the "evil relay number 13" that is in the back of the van. It is
> located on the left side of the rear hatch inside the van. If you have a
> camper the wiring is inside the cabinet back there or if you have a
> passenger van there is a plastic panel over these wires. There is also a
> large fuse back there that can blow and cause your system not to function.
>
> If you find that you are going to need new A/C hoses you should be able to
> get these made up for you locally. If not I can probably get them
> fabricated for you here for a charge.
> I also have new and rebuilt compressors, dryers, and expansion valves on
> my site for sale. Also anyone who buys their parts from me gets my support
> over the phone for any questions they might have.
>
> If I have to replace something major like the compressor I will blow the
> lines out with shop air, replace the oil with Ester oil, replace the drier
> and expansion valve and all o-rings. Pull a vacuum on the system for about
> 30-40 minutes. Then charge the system with a gauge set.
>
> I hope this helps you. Let me know if you find you need anything.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
>
> Jim Felder wrote:
>
> > Does anyone know of a complete set of instructions for converting to 134
> > from R12? I'm talking complete, like where to get any parts needed for
> > the
> > compressor and how to get the compressor open to fit them, how to get
> > the
> > oil out, put new oil in, and that sort of thing. I inherited a nice set
> > of
> > manifold gauges but have never used them. I also have access to a vacuum
> > pump if that is required.
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
>
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