[Vwdiesel] a/c compressor body failed (fwd)

[Val Christian]

VW sells individual o-rings.  Some ac shops will sell individual 
orings.  The key is sizing them.

I don't think you need to replace hoses, but I'd urge oring replacement.

The solvent is washed through the system; do it as parts, or as 1/2
the system.  You need to work out a path on your system.  If you 
break the system out for o-ring replacement, then you have greater flexibility.





Forwarded message:
> Thanks.  Do you have any suggestions on where to get the O-ring kits?  I
> have a friend at a local mechanics which is where I get many of my
> parts.  However, their supplier has boxes of o-rings rather than a kit
> for doing a single car.
> 
> Have you heard of R12 hoses being leaky in an R134 system as the poster
> below suggests?  Given the price of hoses, I'd rather not replace them all.
> 
> I'm also not clear on the solvent step.  Is the idea to run that through
> each of the pieces or through the whole system in some way?
> 
> Thanks,
> Scott
> 
> Val Christian wrote:
> > I've probably done 14 or 15 R-12 to R134a conversions.  
> > 
> > The o-ring kits are under $20, and for some conversions I've been able to 
> > buy all the R134a compatable o-rings for $3.  
> > 
> > A dryer is relatively inexpensive and helps get any extra R-12 oil out
> > of the system.  Normally when I service an AC, I've replaced the dryer,
> > figuring that it's cheap insurance.  There are times when I haven't, 
> > however, and they are times when there is a fresh dryer on the system.
> > When that is the case, I draw down the system for the better part of the 
> > day...drawing it down, and then sealing it off, and then drawing it down
> > again a couple times over 12 hours, or let it sit over night.  This
> > effectively helps boil off any moisture.
> > 
> > Finally, I have one of those bottles, which can hold flush solvent,
> > under pressure, with a rubberized tip.  A gallon of flush is cheap
> > and does 4 or 5 cars (or 3 minivans with rear AC).  Again it helps
> > clear out old oil, and particulates from older or failed compressors.
> > 
> > Spending the incremental money on these steps has resulted in never 
> > having a failure with a r134a conversion.  
> > 
> > I have friends who have cut corners, for example not swapping out the
> > o-rings, and then had problems two seasons later.  For the money and
> > time invested in maintaining an AC system, I'd rather have the results 
> > be trouble free.
> > 
> > Val
> > 
> > ps: I have an evac pump now, but an old regrigerator (r22) compressor
> > works OK, just takes a little more time.  But they are inexpensive.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >> Scott,
> >>
> >> If you do decide to go ahead with an R12 to R134a conversion, be advised 
> >> that R134 tends to leak through hoses that otherwise will hold R12.  It 
> >> has to do with the smaller molecules in the refrigerant.
> >>
> >> Also, residual mineral oil lubricant from R12 in the system can cause 
> >> major problems because it doesn't mix with the PAG oil used with R134, 
> >> therefore the plumbing system has to be thoroughly cleaned.
> >>
> >> See what I went through converting the A/C to R134 in my '81 RabbitTruck 
> >> at the following web address:  
> >>
> >> http://chemdec.natsci.csulb.edu/VWAC
> >>
> >>
> >> -- 
> >> Bob Soukup
> >> '81 RabbitTruck D.
> >>
> >>
> >> On Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:18:02 -0500 Scott Alexander 
> >> <salex at dsl.cis.upenn.edu Wrote:
> >>> One of the mounting ears on my A/C compressor on my '82 Rabbit D failed.
> >>>  The compressor seemed to be working fine up until I discovered the
> >>> problem.  I'm wondering if anyone has experience  swapping the guts from
> >>> a working compressor into the body of a failed compressor?  How hard
> >>> would it be to do this?
> >>>
> >>> Assuming it's not a fool's errand, does anyone have a seized or
> >>> otherwise failed compressor sitting in the junk box that they'd like to
> >>> get rid of?
> >>>
> >>> Since I'll have to crack the system to fix this in any case, I'm also
> >>> thinking of switching to R134.  I know I'll need to replace the
> >>> receiver/ dryer and various seals.  Is there anything else I should know
> >>> about this swap?  Anything peculiar to Rabbits that the guys I know who
> >>> have done this on other cars wouldn't expect?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> Scott Alexander
> >>> '82 Rabbit D
> >>> Warren, NJ
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>   
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> >>
> > 
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