I had to fix a leak on the high side fitting where you connect your gauge to.
It had one of those retrofit fittings on it and the valve under it was bad.
So I went to an A/C shop and they told me the inside was kinda striped out so they took the valve and gave me the R134A fittings that would go on and problem solved.
While I had the line off I replace the orifice tube.
It had a lot of black crap on it "no metal shavings".
So I just put it back together and I'm going to recharge it sometime this week.
Do you think I need to flush out the system before I charge it back up?
I'm selling the car so I don't want to put any more money into it but down in Florida I can get more for it if the A/C is working.
I had No problems with it before and it was Ice cold and no noise.
Just leak all the Freon out and stopped working because of that.
I just don't want to sell it and have it die and someone pissed at me.
What do you think I should do?
Thanks,


Chris G.

 

That black crap is known as the "BLACK DEATH" This means the compressor is hosed, acutally the seals inside it are hosed. You can try flushing the system and recharging it but I doubt it will be very cold. You might want to pull the compressor and flush it out and then add some fresh oil and then completely flush the rest of the system while it is open. This way you won't contaminate the new freon and it might buy you a few degrees. Good luck.

 

Ehh, charge it and sell it. The compressor may be going out, but it will work long enough to get rid of it. Dont fix what isnt broke.

 

It kinda sucks because the compressor looks kinda new.
O well thanks.


Chris G.

 

yeah, you might be able to salvage it and sell it. At least try to flush the system and recharge it. You might be surprised.

 

Well I just remember that I have a new compressor for it I just need to change the clutch on it because I have a serpentine belt on the car and the new compressor is set up for a V belt.
Can you tell me what kind of oil I need for it and how much?
It's the small compressor the R4.
Also If I chance the compressor should I flush the system out.
I know the flush stuff is like 15 bucks.
I just don't want any body to have problems with it after I sell it.
There going to get a hell of a deal on it.
It's a 2.8 but it's got a new rad fuel pump muffler and a rebuilt transmission with a new convert all for under 2000.
Body and interior is in good shape too.
I know when I got my 97Z28 and found out all the problems it had I wanted to beat the crap out of the guy who sold it to me.
Let me know what you think.
I really appreciate the help.
Thanks,


Chris g.



Chris

 

You really need to flush the system. You can actually use alcohol and compressed air to flush the system if you can't get the true flush compound. As far as the oil goes, I am pretty sure it will take PAG oil for the R134. Double check the catalog that most parts stores have and make sure though. If you are going to replace the compressor, pour the new oil in the suction side and turn the compressor by hand and work the oil in. Then add some more and repeat the process until it starts to gurgle out the discharge port. The compressor should have some resistance when you turn the clutch, otherwise the pistons inside are not sealing properly. The catalog should also tell you how much oil and how many pounds of freon. Make sure the orifice tube is new and then button up all the hoses and do a vacuum test to make sure there are no leaks.

 

Great I pretty much knew everything except about the alcohol.
Now that's cool to know.
I was just hoping you would be more specific about the pag oil.
Like the stuff I have left over from last time is from a CO. called supercool and it's called pag-46 "double end capped"
I have know idea what that means but I guess that there is only one wight of oil.
O yea you are 100% sure about the black stuff?

Chris G.

 

I'm not a genuine AC person so I wont commit 100%, but the systems that I have seen with the black "stuff" inside were on there way out. They still worked but the compressor was making noises and the cooling efficiency was very poor. The PAG 46 oil will work, as long as you have enough.

 

I have done some A/C work but I'm not an expert either I know quite allot but never saw the black stuff on the orifice tube.
And I never heard of using alcohol to clean it out but like I said before it's good to know and I don't think the alcohol would hurt anything.
Thanks again.



Chris G.

 

An AC guy told me about the alcohol since it evaporates fairly quickly. Just make sure there is none left when you recharge the system.

 

Thanks I will the alcohol is much cheaper than the flush so I will be using that.
You have help me out allot thanks,



Chris G.