[V6-12v] V-6 AC fix

[Al Powell]

"Calvyn" <Calvyn at stny.rr.com> asked:

	Some day when I can come up with the extra 500$ for installation of
that evaporator I'll have my chilly-willy back too.. Glad it's still SNOWING
here in Binghamton NY only cause I don't need the A/C but I got a pool now
that I'd really like to see. :)

PS - Anyone try tackling an evaporator replacement or because of the R12/13
stuff does it make it illegal for me to try? Also my A4 sure seems less
peppy then it use to be or it might be because I was honored with driving my
GOOD friend's twin turbo'd 320 HP '99 Mitsu 3000 GT VR4 for the week while
my baby was away.. :)
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There's nothing magic about it! The first thing I did on my '93 90Q was
replace the AC system after it grenaded. I replaced the whole system and
charge for about $500 (but I cheated and used a guaranteed/used compressor
from Nick at autox.biz).

One critical point: do you mean evaporator (the second radiator-like unit
that mounts in front of the radiator) or accumulator/drier (a metal canister
that mounts inside the engine compartment)????????????? The evaporator would
be much more expensive.  I'm going to assume that it's the accumulator...so
correct me if I'm wrong.

If you only (A) have a leak, that's simple. If (B) your AC grenaded, that's
more complex. by the way, buying any parts from a dealer is not usually a
good idea from a cost standpoint. Most of them charge 150-200% of what the
cost at NAPA or another parts store. Example: NAPA sells an accumulator for
a 96 A4Q SOHC V-6 for $209.

Procedures:

A: Go to any shop and have them completely vacuum out the system. Take the
car home and replace the evaporator, making sure to replace both O-rings
(inlet and outlet) which should come with the evaporator. DO NOT overtighten
the fittings - they usually only take 15 foot-pounds or so. If not, buy some
at a parts store and make sure they're for R-134a. Then take it to the
dealer or any independent shop and have them re-charge and lubricate the
system with PAG oil. The lube goes in with the refrigerant charge.

B: Call an independent shop and make sure they agree to the process you will
follow. Then go there and have them BOTH flush and then vacuum the system.
Next, pull the compressor, evaporator and screen (aka: orifice valve) from
the system and replace. Replace all O-rings as you go. Make sure that the
replacement compressor has the correct amount of PAG oil pre-loaded in it,
or make darn sure to note the fact that it does not!!!!!!  Then take it back
to the shop and have them charge the system, including adding lube if
needed. Note that I haev minimized the work of erplacing the components, but
those three items are all that's needed.

Hope this helps.
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Al Powell
apowell at gocougs.wsu.edu
1958 Fiat 1200 Transformabile Spyder
1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo
1993 Audi 90Q
1997 Chebby Blazer
1999 Chebby Blazer
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