Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:24:23 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: AC conversion
In-Reply-To: <DC6C33BE-3ABB-4ABC-A397-AF06ED52481B@uoregon.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
One of the things with AC is that they need to maintained and that includes using it on a regular basis. Use is key to keeping it alive. As the refrigerant leaks out stuff that does not belong gets in and overtime makes a mess. That said if you suspect that your system is complete I would approach this as follows.
Test the electrics. Evacuate and if possible leak test with nitrogen. If good, replace the receiver/dryer. Install the R-134a conversion fittings. Evacuate, get down to 500 microns. Charge system by weight. With all the hoses you can add a bit more but stop at 1,500 grams, (3.3 pounds). Now it should be ready to run. Test pressures with gauge set. When high side gets to 250 or so radiator fan should speed up. To really do this right also consider draining the oil from the compressor and flushing everything out. Be careful not to add too much PAG or other oil choice. Too much won’t pass through the dryer and will mess up the works, fast. Oil is needed to lubricate the compressor but is also a non-condensable contaminant that will reduce efficiency and in excess will do immediate damage.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Toomey Douglas
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 8:58 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: AC conversion
John Rodgers and Dennis Haynes,
Thank you for your responses. Some background. I have an 87 Westy, owned since 89. This year I have had significant work done on car, including rebuilt engine installed (2.1), water pump, fuel pump, radiator, clutch. Also upgrade of suspension, bushings, ball joints, cv joints. Having had and enjoyed the car for so long, I’ve wanted to fix it up. And keep it for another several decades.
As to why the AC, I had not wanted to do a conversion at all, nor on the road. It has worked fine, but it has lost its charge of refrigerant. Normally we do not use the AC in Oregon, so the last time I had it recharged was about 7 years ago. It held that charge for awhile.
With all of the other repairs done in the past few months, I simply ran out of time for my kids summer vacation. I also (mistakenly?) thought I could get the original system recharged, but a week before leaving, the shop in Eugene that is recommended said they could not recharge the original system with R12.
So, with time run out, we are traveling to see grandparents and ruing my decision to use my beloved westy.
A couple of other questions. Sorry to not know answers.
Can I get the original system recharged? If so, with what? I presume it would need to be tested somehow before doing so. What type of test?
The alternative is to make the trip without AC and, if desired/recommended, convert when I return, which is indeed sensible advice.
Thanks again for your help. On the road toward Idaho Falls.
Doug
> On Jun 21, 2016, at 7:16 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> So during a trip away from home you decide you want to convert the AC
> over to a different refrigerant. Why. Is it not working at all? Do you
> think a different refrigerant alone will make it work that much
> better? What year Vanagon and is it a Westy? If the AC is not working
> at all the first step is going to be to get it repaired. This most
> likely is not a drive in and get it done in a few hour event. A big
> problem is that whoever you have do the repair while you are away will
> not be able to provide any warranty support after you leave. With any
> major service you will be best off waiting until you are home and can
> have someone do the work that is close enough to handle the comeback.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Doug Toomey
> Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 9:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: AC conversion
>
> Would like to convert my AC over to new refrigerant. On road toward
> Yellowstone and then eastward. Can anyone recommend a shop to do it in
> Idaho, Wyoming or to east?
>
> Thank you. Just one of those things that did not get done before leaving!
_______________________
Prof. Douglas Toomey
1272 Geological Sciences
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1272
http://uoregon.edu/~drt
http://geophysics.uoregon.edu
(541) 346 5576 (tel)
(541) 346 4692 (fax)
________________________
