[s-cars] Subject: Serp belt woes

[Tom Green]

Right on, of course, Cody, and thanks for the note.  I'm pleased to
see your input to this list.

The actual work was done by  a professional auto a/c shop and did
include flushing the system, changing the expansion tube and dryer
even though the original compressor was still operating and they found
no evidence of any system contamination.  The Audi repair manual
does give a good estimate of the residual oil in each component and
the lines, so if you measure what you take out it's probably close  
enough.

I would suggest that if your compressor does distribute metal or cokes
the oil, just sell the car.  You will never flush the system clean  
without
removing the condenser and expansion coils, and replacing dryer and
flexible lines.

I changed mine, prematurely it seems, to avoid that possibility, but
mostly in search of better performance.  The difference in performance
I noted has been attributed to black avant being compared to a white
sedan (by the shop, not me) after three tries to optimize performance
after replacement.  The avant does heat soak more rapidly in
the summer sun.  Pearl white is king in the south.

There were several posts on the list a few months ago when we were
looking for an elusive adapter to allow a gage set to connect to both
the high and low side for system balance and to charge from the low
side if so inclined, and give a better idea of system performance.

Tom

On Jan 17, 2008, at 7:43 PM, Cody Forbes wrote:

> Tom Green wrote:
>> I changed a compressor because of the roar and because I thought it
>> did not cool as well compared to other S6's.  The new one cools the
>> same and makes as much noise, i.e., no change except to lighten my
>> wallet considerably, so I would evaluate the a/c on performance.  I
>> think your belt problem lies elsewhere if you can turn the compressor
>> by hand with the clutch engaged (no belt).  It does take some engine
>> power to operate the compressor.  I put the shipping plugs in the old
>> compressor and its  been on the shelf for a year if you want it.
>
> If you didn't flush the whole A/C system with a cleaner and/or you  
> didn't replace the reciever/drier it's pretty likely that the metal  
> shavings and other trash that your old compressor put there has  
> killed your new compressor. A compressor replacement should always  
> be accompanied by a new drier and a flush. Beyond getting the junk  
> out that is the ONLY way to add the proper ammount of oil to the  
> system, as you never know how much oil is caught up in the lines  
> and the drier.
>
> -Cody Forbes
> http://www.5000tq.com
> '87 5ktq - Fast.
> '87 5ktq QLCC'd plus some
> '86 5ktqCD
> '86 5k
> '86 5k