Air Con Advice

[scotty2]

My 89 SE is now in the garage with its engine out and new clutch and exhaust manifold fitted. Just a tank to do now !

While in bits I wanted to check the air con which worked for a season after charging but must have a leak somewhere as it doesn't work now! The garage say it can only be tested running but advise that they can't charge it anyway as its too old. Here's the question:

Can it be charged and with what?

Can it be converted but what would I have to change?
(and how much)

I even thought about buying a new compressor while its all accessible but would want it to be able to use the more readily available refridgerant.

Help please.
p.s. The car is a very early SE. 15th I think.

Scotty2

[Dr.Hess]

Well, about everything is available. Compressor is a pretty standard unit (Sanden), refridgerant is R12 which is expensive, but available, expansion valve is available.

Many people have reported a leak in the lines running from the compressor up forward, typically at about the passenger seat inside the tunnel. If you have the whole thing that far down, I'd pull the lines and get a hydraulic shop to make some new ones. Can't cost that much. The hard part is pulling half the car apart to get to them and you are there already. And if you really want to spend money, buy a new compressor for a couple hundred, put new seals everywhere, flush what's left of the old system and fill it with R134a.

Dr.Hess

[lotusguy]

Dr.Hess said:

Well, about everything is available. Compressor is a pretty standard unit (Sanden), refridgerant is R12 which is expensive, but available, expansion valve is available. Many people have reported a leak in the lines running from the compressor up forward, typically at about the passenger seat inside the tunnel. If you have the whole thing that far down, I'd pull the lines and get a hydraulic shop to make some new ones. Can't cost that much. The hard part is pulling half the car apart to get to them and you are there already. And if you really want to spend money, buy a new compressor for a couple hundred, put new seals everywhere, flush what's left of the old system and fill it with R134a. Dr.Hess

HI,

R-134a in a converted R-12 system will be less effective than simply refilling with R-12. A true R-134a system uses a compressor with slightly higher pressure and also a different sized expansion valve (to account for the differences in size of the two molecules).

With regard to environmental friendliness, R-134a is no angel either, just 'better' than R-22 or R-12. Plus, there are TONS of R-12 and R-22 still in use and in stockpiles. This is gonna find it's way into the environment eventually - either from leaky consumer systems or direct venting in commercial systems (which BTW, isn't prohibited by the CFC Recovery Act of 1992 - the law governing the reforms in the US).

Ironic - you can't vent an R-12 Auto system containing 3 or so lbs. of R-12, but you can vent a commercial rooftop AC unit containing hundreds of pounds or a commercial refrigerator with 10-20. The CFC Recovery Act was merely 'feel good' legislation. But, of course you won't be releasing it and so may take some false solace in that.

The advantages of an R-134a conversion are that you can avoid more costly maintenance and repair, and you can recharge the unit yourself for less $$.

But, You could also take an online certification test- simple, inexpensive - $15. With this, you can legally purchase and recharge with R-12, I did this a couple years ago. Of course, you must not vent to atmosphere, so if the system is charged, you need a $4,000 recovery machine. But if the system is already discharged, all you'd need is the manifold for recharging - $30 on eBay and a vacuum pump to evacuate the system and boil off the old oil. Again, I got one on eBay for $15. Ironically, I just sold my only car with an R-12 system. Now I'm stuck with 30lbs. of R-12.
Happy Motoring!... Jim'00 Boxster

[karmavore]

lotusguy said:

. Of course, you must not vent to atmosphere, so if the system is charged, you need a $4,000 recovery machine. But if the system is already discharged

Yes, yes... if it is **already** discharged. Darn, if only... ;-)

More US Government BS. Screw the individual (10% of the problem) but let the corporation do what ever it wants (60% of the problem).

Lucas.

[igreenrover]

Also for an SE, anyone know a good place to get a new or re-con compressor in the UK? also want to put a new dryer in there as well.

[techspy]

Hey Jim,
Interested in selling your left over R12? What type of container is it in? Any problems shipping that stuff?

PS: I took that online course and got my certificate last year.

John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com