Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 14:01:58 -0700
Reply-To: wilden1@JUNO.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Advance Auto AC recharge kit
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
If the system was properly serviced and properly labeled you should know
what is in the system.
Standard R12 systems don't have labels, R134 upgrades should have a
label.
I just bought some of this FuFu Red Tek refrigerant and it came with
labels.
I'd suggest that you NOT use a flame type leak detector.
Add some florescent dye oil to the compressor and check for leaks that
way.
As for knowing what is in your system .............. most shops can't be
explicit because it could be a mix of several known and unknown
substances.
When the EPA turned Freon R12 into gold there have been many (Forgeries)
canned and called R12.
If you were to check for butane I'd suggest that you take a childrens
balloon and fill it from one of your valves.
Tie the balloon so it doesn't leak, tape the balloon on the end of a ten
foot pole and hang it over a lighted match in a safe area away from your
house. Small explosion = Contains Butane, No Explosion, but blue green
flash = R12.
Now on to environmental issues .............. I frequent lots of junk
yards. The EPA requires that oil be drained from engines, fuel tanks to
be removed prior to crushing of cars. There isn't a law that requires any
refrigerant recovery from A/C systems at junk yards (that I know of).
From just first hand experience at Pick-A-Part type operations I often
hear the hissing of refrigerant being released into the atmosplere. The
used compressor buyers are looking for compressors that hold pressure and
if they don't get a preasurized system they move on to the next possible
donor vehicle and cut another hose.
Other than Automotive applications, almost all spray cans were originally
filled with R12 or similar material as a propellant. That began in about
1948 and continued until just a few years ago, so the pollution from
automotive uses was substantial but not the only culprit.
Stan Wilder
On Tue, 1 Jul 2003 14:05:38 -0400 Jay L Snyder
<Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM> writes:
> So you have no idea exacts what's in your system?
>
>
>
>
> Thomas Brobst <TJBROBS@ACCUSORT.COM>@gerry.vanagon.com> on
> 07/01/2003
> 01:52:59 PM
>
> Please respond to Thomas Brobst <TJBROBS@ACCUSORT.COM>
>
> Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
>
>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> cc:
> Subject: Re: Advance Auto AC recharge kit
>
>
> Yes it's simple, just follow the directions.
> But, since you asked, here's how it works.
>
> First and foremost wear safety glasses.
> As easy as the conversion is I'm paranoid about blowing a hose. A
> coworker
> of mine has a blown ac hose on his desk and I'm always hearing about
> how
> his mechanic blew it up (with R12). Fortunately I haven't had the
> same
> problem.
>
> The kit (from InterDynamics) includes a filling hose with a valve on
> one
> end and a quick release chuck on the other, three cans of
> combination
> charge, oil and stop leak and adapter valves. You screw these
> adapters on
> over the existing valves as part of the conversion. This prevents
> mixing up
> R12 and R134 down the road. These valves are like tire valves only a
> tad
> larger. On my 91 I only changed the one on the back of the
> compressor. I
> couldn't find the other one and was too lazy to really look for it.
> I
> suspect it's up in the ceiling somewere. (Anyone know?)
>
> Before you put the adapter(s) on determine if your system is empty.
> If your
> compressor clutch doesn't engage when you turn on the AC it's
> probably
> empty. (The clutch should kick in by itself when you charge it up).
> To make
> sure it's empty use a Phillps screwdriver or similar implement to
> depress
> the pin on the valve at the back of the compressor (with the engine
> and ac
> running). If nothing comes out it's empty. If it does then you'll
> have to
> take it to a shop so it can be sucked out. If it's not empty please
> don't
> empty it into our atmosphere, thank you. But we're van people..we'd
> never
> do that.
>
> To charge the system start the engine, put the ac on full blast. Now
> screw
> the end of the hose with the valve onto one of the cans and turn the
> valve
> handle CW all the way to pierce the can. At the other end, pull back
> the
> sleeve of the QC chuck and slide it over the newly installed adapter
> on the
> valve at the rear of the compressor. Push and release the sleeve.
> Tug on it
> to make sure it's secure. Turn the valve on the can fully CCW to
> release
> the charge. Hold the can upside down and shake it vigorously. (At
> this
> point I envision my friend's hose blowing up so I stand with my body
> on the
> opposite side of the van side-wall). You'll feel the can get lighter
> and
> colder. When it feels empty pull back the sleeve on the QC connector
> to
> release. A little hissing from the can/hose may result. If it
> continues for
> more than a few seconds it's not empty. Reattach it and continue.
> If
> necesary you can shut the valve on the can to stop it's
> discharging.
> Repeat with the two additional cans. Now go feel the ice cold air
> blowing
> from the vents. Ahhhhh!
>
> If you want they also sell a reasonalby priced tire valve style
> pressure
> gauge to double check your system pressure. I bought it but only
> used it
> the first time.
>
> That's it. Good luck.
>
> Disclaimer: Please be careful, don't get hurt. If you don't have
> the
> confidence don't do it just cause I said it was easy.
>
>
>
> Thomas Brobst
> Accu-Sort Systems, Inc
> Staff Mechanical Engineer
> 215-721-5061
> fax 215-799-1600
>
> If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called
> research,
> would it? -Albert Einstein
>
>
>
> >>> "Samuel L. Walters" <samuel.walters@verizon.net> 7/1/03 >>>
> Thomas,
>
> I have seen the same kit at my local Advance Auto, but had not
> bought it
> yet. When I get the suspension fixed on my Syncro and a new
> accelerator
> cable in, making it derivable again, AC is high on my list.
>
> Is the kit simple, as in just follow the directions? Does it
> require
> any special tools, etc.? Perhaps you could write up a short "here
> is
> how to do it" and post it to the list. Many of us have the same
> situation and can get this kit easily.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sam
>
> --
> Samuel L. Walters
> Attorney at Law
> GIS and Demographic Consultant
> Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
>
> 2636 N. Calvert St.
> Baltimore, MD 21218
>
> 410-235-3086 (voice/fax)
> 410-598-6068 (cell)
>
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>
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>
>
>
>
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