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Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:52 pm
by Jester
I got a Duracool kit from Princess today - $59.99 on sale
Came with a nice gauge, retrofit valves and a thermometer
I could only locate one valve on my compressor, but the cap (black) had "L" on it, so I figured it's got to be it.
Also, the "blue" retrofit valve from the kit was the one that fit, the other one did not. so by process of elimination, I was fairly sure I had the correct one.

The whole process is fast and easy, just follow the instructions.
I chose to use the sealer, even though I've read mixed opinions weather to use it or not.
I recommend trying this route before dropping $4-500 with the mechanic, but only if your system is in overall working condition.

Mine was just a bit low, pressure was 20-22psi or so, after the 2 cans + sealer I got the full 38-40psi.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:29 pm
by thelazybrownfox
Jester
Hopefully the sealant works but it may take all summer before you know. Mine worked for 6 months before the coolant bled out again. I was told not to install the sealant and couldn't see any evidence of a leak so we just put in coolant.

The high pressure fitting is not located on the compressor. It's on a AC hose just forward and up from the compressor. Have a close look and you can see it hiding there. The other fitting fits on the high pressure side and is used to evacuate the system. My AC guy and I couldn't find the hi pressure fitting (to evacuate the system).

thanks
Wayne

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:10 am
by after oil
got the kit at crappy tire, after checkin a bunch of local shops to no avail
it was 49.99, and 14.99 for the oil, just in case, and 15.99 for an extra can of refrigerant. took all three cans...
worked great!
Image

Image
the low pressure valve is in the center of the picture

Image

Image

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Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:27 am
by Erebus
after oil wrote:the low pressure valve is in the center of the picture
Dumb/lazy question. Where was the camera, and what direction was it pointing to get that shot. I can see the valve clearly, but I'm too lazy to raise the hood and look for the same view.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:34 am
by after oil
Erebus wrote:
after oil wrote:the low pressure valve is in the center of the picture
Dumb/lazy question. Where was the camera, and what direction was it pointing to get that shot. I can see the valve clearly, but I'm too lazy to raise the hood and look for the same view.
well, since youre not a newbie, ill honor your dumb question:

i was just standing next to the passenger door, with the hood up, and pointed the camera down into the only space where you can see down. the a/c compressor has pulleys and belts, and high pressure hoses coming off it. thats the fan shroud in the left of the photo
you can just see the high pressure valve to the right, its covered. its between the bolt and the zap strapped plug, pointed down

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:07 pm
by loki
ya thanks for the pics of where the valve is, too bad the spot right above that is full of fuel filter and filter heater now on my van :( will make mine much more of a PITA when I go to do it, I will probably try and get at it from underneath.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:09 pm
by after oil
loki wrote:ya thanks for the pics of where the valve is, too bad the spot right above that is full of fuel filter and filter heater now on my van :( will make mine much more of a PITA when I go to do it, I will probably try and get at it from underneath.
ya, i considered that space for the same purpose, lots of room to work on a filter or what have you. but i went with underneath behind the front wheel

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:23 pm
by loki
after oil wrote:
loki wrote:ya thanks for the pics of where the valve is, too bad the spot right above that is full of fuel filter and filter heater now on my van :( will make mine much more of a PITA when I go to do it, I will probably try and get at it from underneath.
ya, i considered that space for the same purpose, lots of room to work on a filter or what have you. but i went with underneath behind the front wheel
I have a pump pre-filter there and after this weekend the aux lift pump will be there too (yes that means my WVO install will be done!) I liked that location up front as it was about the closest I could get the heated filter to the IP so much less heat lost.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:39 am
by g_man1972
My AC is working and does blow cold, just not very cold, I'm wondering if I should do this as well? To those whos AC is working perfectly, how long does it take for your van to cool down on a hot day? I can have mine of for around 10-15 minutes at full blast front and rear before I start to feel cooler on a hot day, it this longer than normal? I know it's a big cab, so I would expect it to take a while, but wondering if a recharge would make that time quicker. My car at work is like 3 minutes till I can turn it down, but it's a car, not a big honking van with 13 windows :-)

Cheers all

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:00 pm
by jwfchase
Ditto.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:08 pm
by DelicaMark
afteroil. Did you drain the system first or just put it right in? I bought some today and was going to do it but watched the video on their (Redtek) website where they say that you should remove the old refridgerent first.

Thanks!
-Mark

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:53 pm
by dotcomdude
delicaMark, from what I understand most of our Deli's are already empty by the time they get here. I suppose you could double check by putting the pressure gauge on there (I think it's like a bicycle valve), and if it has no pressure then it has no (or negligible amounts of) refrigerant.

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:24 am
by DelicaMark
thanks dotcomdude!

I guess I'll see what the guage says when I attach it.

-Mark

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:48 pm
by Modsqwad
Its true you can use hydrocarbons in AC. I used to see it in trucks coming up from florida. They would use propane for a refridgerant
and it worked ok BUT it is not uncommon to look for a leak in an older system with a torch (R12 turns the flame purple) This led to
some unfortunate incidents in a couple of shops. Moral is be careful when using flamable refridgerants , make sure your mechanic knows whats in there. Bye the Bye you can still get r12 in Mexico so if your traveling down here bring the parts and they will fix it
very cheap.
Andy

Re: Re-charge A/C

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:46 pm
by after oil
g_man1972 wrote:My AC is working and does blow cold, just not very cold, I'm wondering if I should do this as well? To those whos AC is working perfectly, how long does it take for your van to cool down on a hot day? I can have mine of for around 10-15 minutes at full blast front and rear before I start to feel cooler on a hot day, it this longer than normal? I know it's a big cab, so I would expect it to take a while, but wondering if a recharge would make that time quicker. My car at work is like 3 minutes till I can turn it down, but it's a car, not a big honking van with 13 windows :-)

Cheers all

in a few seconds i can feel the difference, cool to very cold
DelicaMark wrote:afteroil. Did you drain the system first or just put it right in? I bought some today and was going to do it but watched the video on their (Redtek) website where they say that you should remove the old refridgerent first.

Thanks!
-Mark
i guessed because of low pressure there was no refrigerant in the system