REPAIRS PAGE 91 - AIR CONDITIONING
Fairly easy to get R12 here in Birmingham -
seems to be a good supply, BUT... a full charge will run nearly $120 total
(labor and parts) and they won't let you out the door if there's even a hint of
a leak. Note that they have the power to impound the car unless you have them
pump all the R12 out. You can then leave. Talk about BIG BROTHER! Next step is
to find and fix the "leak." That may add another $60 to $120 to the
cost. So, the potential cost is $240±. Usually, a bad seal will "show
up." To avoid this, it's advisable to have the installer pull abt an hrs
vacuum on the system - near 28" Hg. Seems to suck the seals back in place
unless they are really bad. If the seals are bad, you know that's the case and
not just a rip for more money. AC compressor AC compressor AC clutch removal and installation AC was working one day and all of the sudden the next day it wasn't.
Diagnosed the prob to be the AC clutch not engaging Oil can get into the clutch, collecting dirt and sand which can lead to a
failure
Freeze12 replaces R12. It is made by Technical Chemical Co (TCC) of Dallas,
Texas. They can be contacted at 1-800-527-0885. OR Freezone RB-276 from
Environmental Technologies Corp. (888-757-3883), both of which claim to be close
equivalents that operate at the same pressure as R12 and don't require
retrofitting like R134. Both are a combination of HCFC-134a (80%) and HCFC-142b
(20%) and are EPA approved. Harbor Freight A/C Manifold Gauge Set for R134a $89.99 ITEM 39248-4VGA http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39248 R12 replacement Pulling Vacuum A/C volume
Kerry Wood wood_ker@bellsouth.net
As I posted some time ago, the entire A/C system from my 89SC (sans underdash
cooler unit and undercar freon lines) weighed in at 37 lbs. This includes the
2nd radiator fan.
Jim King james.king@wyatt.com
I just weighed one and it was 15 lbs by my bathroom scale.
Donald K Chalfant dkchal@datasync.com
New clutch from Jay Marks for ~$120
AC shop install quote was approx. $150-200
The manual says you need to take the compressor completely off the car. However
that is not required. The AC lines are somewhat flexible, and as a result you
can work on the compressor by unbolting it and laying it on the ground. The
service manual says that three SSTs are needed to do the job. One of these SST
is snap ring pliers. A regular set of snap-ring pliers work fine, even though
one of the snap rings can be a major pain to get on and off. The SST pliers
might work better. The BGB says that you need a holder to hold the pressure
plate while you loosen the screw, and that you also need a specialized threaded
puller to pull the pressure plate off. Auto Zone rents this particular tool,
which they have a couple of different threaded pullers, but it appears that most
manufactures use the same compressor (NipponDenso) for many other models. You
might be able to take it off without these tools, but it would be a major PITA.
Could be the signal wire in the actual clutch
Freezone RB-276 claims to be non-toxic, non-flammable and contains no CFC's. All
of the other R12 alternatives, and there are quite a few, must be used with
barrier hoses or they will leak.
Rand E rande@mwis.net
http://www.autocool-refrigerants.com/
Get one from Harbor Freight for about $13. Another $20 at the hardware store to
get valves and fittings to hook up to the AC line connector. And you will have
to buy a guage set. I know a backyard mechanic who makes a very nice pump from
old refrigerator compressors. you have to be able to solder some, but its AC
powered and much more portable than the air venturi.... Because of the
compressed air requirement. If you are going to make one, remember to have an
oil tank to fill and suck the new oil into the system, or at least a flexible
line to stick into a container of oil and let the vacuum pull the oil into the
system.
dkchal@datasync.com
what about something like this $68 one from JCWhitney : http://www.jcwhitney.com/item.jhtml?ITEMID=3846&BQ=jcw2
Granted, it's only cheaper if you all ready have a good enough air compressor to
drive it, but it looks as though it should do the job. Anyone ever used one of
these?
Spastic Muse Spastic_Muse@attbi.com
It's gonna be more than 1lb and less than 2. Book says roughly 30 oz +/- 2 will
probably hold 2. I wouldn't go over 40 psi on the suction side. On a hot day.
Make sure the system is on, engine running, fan on high, windows down. Pull at
least 4 oz of oil first, Then a couple more after the pressure gets high enough
to engage the clutch. Then let it run for a while things stabilize.
Donald K Chalfant dkchal@datasync.com