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Date:         Sun, 8 Aug 2010 10:14:29 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Need help with leak at fitting on AC condenser
Comments: To: Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <dbf01.754aa427.3987295c@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This is why shops are required to have recovery equipment. You need two wrenches to tighten this fitting. You have to hold back the one on the condenser to avoid twisting it. The hose fitting or the seat in the condenser fitting may be damaged or corroded preventing the o-ring from sealing. The condenser may also have a small crack near the fitting. This is a common failure for them.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of David Clarkson Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2010 3:48 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Need help with leak at fitting on AC condenser

I have had great success in getting my ac running super cool (34 deg. F. at the center vent). All is well until the freon leaks out at the larger of the two connections where the hose connects to the condenser. I have put dye in the system and checked for any other leaks all over with a hydrocarbon sniffer-none. I have tried all different combinations of o-rings, different sizes and even 2 o-rings and finally went back with the factory o-ring after all sorts of o-ring swelling (stop leak) chemicals introduced when recharging. I inspected it again with UV light and found that it is definitely leaking at this one point. Cleaned up the dye here and gently turned the nut on the fitting about 1/8 of a turn. I have been scared to crank on this too hard and have the threaded portion break off and then have to replace the condenser. Has anyone else on the list had a leak at this connection? I feel really confident that it is not leaking from a crack at the fitting where it connects to the condenser or from where the hose crimp is. How much force should I use when tightening this? Am I likely to break off the fitting from over torqueing? R134A isn't expensive but not exactly cheap either. Dang, I am so close to having this fixed. Hoping cooler heads will have some suggestions here. I'd really like to charge it one more time and be done with this project of epic proportions. Thanks list for all your help.

David Clarkson 1990 Westfalia


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