Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2016 16:32:13 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 1991 Carat AC System servicing
In-Reply-To: <CY1PR20MB0029685B0DEA7080622E2FBEA0FB0@CY1PR20MB0029.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
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Dennis, All:
I don't mind criticism at all. Feel free to criticize as much as you like,
as much as you feel necessary. It's how I learn.
I've worked on airplanes with way more complicated systems than a Vanagon,
both mechanically and electrically. Some with pressure systems with
operating pressures well over 2000 psi. Don't want to make a mistake there.
On this, I want to learn inside and out.
I find that most times when I try to engage a shop in my area, I get a flat
"No" or blank stares and a "Duh!", with the exception of one, which seems
to have it's cr*p together, but they work mostly on Maserati's and the
like, and shop rates are $115/hr, which needless to say, as a retiree in
the south, that's pretty stiff! And even at that, sometimes they learn on
your vehicle. But at least they have an educated mechanical sense backed by
lots of experience.
But even so, I have need to do most of my own work, or at least have enough
knowledge to be able to direct work, or as I have so many times, be able to
tell when work has gone off in the wrong direction and get that direction
changed.
So, on with this AC thing, and I hope I'm smart enough to learn and not
blow myself up or get hurt in the process.
Regards,
John
On Sep 7, 2016 22:19, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> If you blew up an AC hose then the compressor must have been turning. I'll
> apologize up front for being a bit critical but it is time you stop trying
> to piece meal stuff and get the vehicle to an AC guy that knows what they
> are doing and say fix it.
>
> For the wiring there are a number of places where things can fail
> including the harness in the AC duct work especially if you have the
> controls in the overhead duct. Some of the relays are complicated. The
> system requires someone that knows how to diagnose electrical stuff and get
> all that working even before playing with the refrigerant.
>
> A good AC would charge the system with nitrogen to test for leaks and also
> see if the pressure switches work enough to at least get the system started.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of John Rodgers
> Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 10:12 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1991 Carat AC System servicing
>
> Today was an interesting day of days.
>
> Flushed system, pulled a vacuum, put in PAG 46 oil, added 12 oz. Of
> refrigerant, expecting the compressor to turn on. It did not! Shut down and
> started sleuthing. First tested the clutch - found it to be dead. Won't
> even click. Checked the AC switch - no power to it. Pulled and tested all
> pertinent fuses. Pulled and tested pertinent relays except two: 2nd and
> 3rd stage radiator cooling fan items 10 and 11 on Bentley drawing page
> 87.3! Could not find them per the drawing.
>
> Compressor clutch relay 9 needs to be rechecked.
>
> On driving to a mechanic, a loud 'POP' was heard in thecrear follwed byban
> extended shusssssssssssss sound. I stop in a parking lot, opened the rear
> hatch and could still hear the soundnow coming from the left 'D' pillar. I
> could feel air movement, thenfound wherevit came from. A rubber coated
> device with two wires and a plug on it screwed into what appeared to be a
> high pressure line had ruptured, and I lost the refrigerant. I have no idea
> what that is nor what it does, besides leak gas. Can any one tell me. I
> need to order parts.
>
> I still need help in that the radiator/condensor fan will not turn on when
> the AC switch is turned on.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> John
>
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