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Date:         Tue, 7 Jul 2020 22:25:51 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: AC questions - 1984 Vanagon - Correction
In-Reply-To:  <001501d654a9$786528b0$692f7a10$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I'm an amateur too, but got myself some gauges and have been reasonably successful.  There are tons of really helpful YouTube videos.  Do plenty of exploring; does NOT have to be Vanagon specific.  Even Scotty has a brief discourse:  How to use AC Gauges in Your Car (AC Problems)

| | | How to use AC Gauges in Your Car (AC Pr... |

One thing I noticed in your latest "system on" photos; the high side and low side are about equal. Actually, your "system off" photo says basically the same thing.  According to the video above, it means your compressor is shot and isn't doing anything.  (Hope I am not the bearer of bad news.)

Watch a few of these videos....like I said they are extremely educational.  Some good, some not so good.

Also...it's important to have a thermometer handy for ambient temperatures, and then use one of those handy charts available online for R-134A to see optimal pressures on high and low for ambient conditions.  Also...some of the videos are more thorough than others...like the importance of purging your lines with a puff of refrigerant when hooking up to be sure to minimize introduction of air and water vapor into your system.  It all takes a bit of concentration while everything is whirring around in front of your face.

Rich

San Diego

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 2:56:36 PM PDT, Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote: It would help if I took the reading with the valves opened!

Reading with system off. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Se2DEdEZauwW7rb36

Reading with system on. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QW4sTHbCbuVJJPDP7

It was working great last summer... It appears to be over charged?

Thanks for any advise, sorry for the earlier post, too hot to think today!

Jack

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jack R Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2020 4:55 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: AC questions - 1984 Vanagon

I have an 84 Westy.

Two+ years ago, I changed out all the AC lines, condenser, receiver/dryer, valves, O-Rings, oil, and charged with 134a. (retained condenser, cooling coil, and compressor).

The system worked wonderful, only needed to add a ½ pound of 134a last summer to get ice-cold air again.

This spring, the system was working pretty well, but when I attempted to add 134a, it didn’t appear to take it.

Now, it isn’t cooling.

When I hooked up the gages, upon removing the cap on the high-site, I noticed a leak from the Schrader valve.

The compressor clutch is engaging, and the compressor is turning, but the system doesn’t seem to be holding 134a.

With system off… AC gages read

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rn9eJiHxPsAMaeuh7

With system on… AC gages read

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tK41CQu4DyeVZhow6

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Jack


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