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Date:         Fri, 2 Aug 2013 13:40:07 -0400
Reply-To:     "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon AC - Experience with RedTek
Comments: To: Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <COL125-W2501E5D3E8B3A64B91F636CF510@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I was just going to post about my recent experience putting in a new compressor, expansion valve and drier on a 90 Syncro that hasn't had functioning AC in about 15 years. The owner tried to get it online a few years ago. When he did it looks like they replaced the drier and expansion valve and compressor, but the suction line between the compressor to the evaporator had a leak in it. So he sent that off to a shop to have it repaired (new hose, reuse the end that goes to the compressor).

Then some time went by. I installed the rebuilt hose, and a new expansion valve since we had to disturb the upper area anyway to install the hose. I charged the system since the compressor and drier were newer I thought that was all that needed to be done.

The compressor was a rebuilt unit that had been installed a few years ago by another shop. When I tried to charge the system, the compressor was completely locked up. I got it unlocked but then the pressures in the system were wrong and compressor was making a ton of noise.

The customer decided to get a new compressor, new drier and start over again. I don't know how many years went in between the two attempts to get the system going. The customer said three or four.

When I pulled the drier off a fountain of rusty water came out of the system along with about one can of refrigerant that we had charged the system with previously. I would say almost a whole quart of water came out which shocked me. I flushed the lines, installed the drier, and then went to install the new compressor. When I went to install it, I found that the D side (discharge) the hose end would not seat all the way down into the compressor like it it did on the old one. On closer inspection I found that the D port was actually blocked by a what looked like a disc of metal with a 1/8" hole drilled in the center. This disc was keeping the end of the metal fitting from seating all the way down into the compressor head. I called the manufacturer about this issue and they told me it was a redesign due to the use of 134a in the system. It was a restrictor that has been added to allow the system to reach a higher pressure on the discharge side because of the use of the R134a versus R12. They are assuming that any new install is going to use R134a now. I just thought I would mention this for those thinking about using an R12 substitute like Red Tek or Freeze 12. Since the new compressors have this feature, using the older style refrigerants (or something that is supposed to mimic them, might cause problems.

I had to grind about an 1/8" off of the end of the metal pipe where it seats in the compressor and then it would go together with no problem. The new compressor was virtually silent when engaged, quieter than any I had used before. I worked well, and when we went for a test drive, the system got extremely cold.

I was very pleased with the performance of this new, slightly redesigned compressor. All of the new compressors are supposed to have this redesign so I am sure it will be cropping up again in discussion. If you bought a rebuilt compressor or had your old one rebuilt, it wouldn't have the restrictor in the system so maybe that would work better for the Red Tek, etc.

Just FYI, Ken Wilford John 3:16 www.vanagain.com

On Fri, Aug 2, 2013 at 1:03 PM, Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I have a very slow leak in my '87 Westy AC system, and have been topping > it off with R-12 in every 2-3 years for awhile at increasing cost. Mine > is cooling now, but has a lot of bubbles in the sight glass, so it's time. > > I'm not interested in moving to R-134 so have been shopping for > alternatives. RedTek is not supported in the US but is used in Canada and > around the world so I'm not concerned by the scare stories about > hydrocarbon refrigerants, but I am curious about how it has worked out for > other Vanagon users. > > The archives have brought up a few notes, but nothing recent so I thought > I would ask people who are currently using RedTek what their experience has > been, or if you tried using RedTek and weren't satisfied. > > I would also like to know from users whether they replaced the dryer or > not before converting. > > I have a note out to Terry asking for some details about his experience, > but he must be busy, so - anyone else who has used the stuff have details > about how they installed it, how well it cools, leaks, other considerations? > > Thanks much! > > - Mike > > Mike Finkbiner > '87 Westy > Moscow, Idaho > > mike_l_f@hotmail.com > > > > You can't see a thought, you can't measure, weigh, nor > taste it - but thoughts are the most real things in the Galaxy. > - Richard Baslim

-- Thanks, Ken Wilford John 3:16 www.vanagain.com


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