Aircon stuff someone might find useful

[Cutbak]

Jeez I love doing standby.

I noticed an old thread on aircon regassing and thought I'd add some stuff on it here. I'm not a car aircon specialist by any means but I'm in the frige trade and might be able to save someone some $$$

1) If you want your aircon gas charge to last, USE IT - regularly! Dunno how many people come in with a system that's not working because the compressor shaft seal has dried out and let half the gas go. Over winter, use it to demist your windows, they'll clear 3x as quick.

Keep an eye on hoses and connections for chaffing and oil leaks. Oil is constantly circulating through the system during use, so an oil leak usually means a gas leak. If enough gas eventually leaks out, the system can run in a vacuum and suck a whole lot of crap in. If you think you have a leak, try sticking a dishwashing liquid and water solution on it and see if any bubbles develop (system turned off). this is an industry standard test -- remember tho' that it'll only work if there's some pressure left inside!

2) Keep the condenser clean/clear! The biggest killer of all frige systems is overheating because the condenser is blocked. Just use a good degreaser and give it a 'gentle' hose out (no water blasters).

3) Bring back R12!!! The truth is that converting cars to R134a in the 'prescribed manner' can be a pain in the arse (some find it more so than others) for anyone not specialized. It can be fairly gear-intensive to do and the gear is very expensive. (oops, read: 'gas analysers, hose fittings' etc. apologies to fellow frigies)

Basic rules are, yes 134 will affect o'rings (and hoses), but the affects of mixing it with the original oil appear to be somewhat overstated. If the system is clean (think "hydraulic system clean") and doesn't run too hot, it should be ok. If it is contaminated, and runs hot, it'll die, no matter what oil you want to stick in it.

So make sure the engineer gets it CLEAN. ie, does it need flushing? (I've seen stuff like tar in some systems) And, make sure it gets a really good 'vac'. Old frige industry standard is 'overnight', or down to somewhere around 100-150microns (approx) of vacuum. Now, everyone is in a hurry... but, the better the vac, the lass moisture and crap is left in there and the longer it'll be happy for. Trust me on this.

Anyway, 99% of the wagons we see now have all had 134 added to them, for better or worse.

Even if you can get your hands on a set of gauges and work out how to connect them (what colour roses do you want?) just don't even think about putting anything flammable in the aircon, guys. The idea is more than a bit dodgy.

4) Don't overtighten the drive belt.

5) If your engine relies on one main drive belt for everybloodything, consider carrying one (bush-side) that enables you to take the aircon out of the loop in case the clutch bearings fail with all the mud stuck in them. Just a thought.

And, air conditioning compressors for blowing up tyres? Cool. Just remember to use an oil separator. And keep the comp topped up.

Shit I go on.

[mercutio]

Shit I go on.

nothing wrong with that if you are sharing your knowledge