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My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:08 pm
by lettereleven
Ive posted earlier about air conditioning sight glass, and about the charge valves for an L400 because I had no air cond. I was truly hoping that it just be a matter of change it up and let the cool air flow!

Sadly, I came across a more dire situation today while doing a seafoam clean - looks the the low pressure side tuning has completely snapped off the compressor. (see photo).

I understand that "small" holes in the AC are fixable, but "large" ones are very bad as moisture gets in and wreaks havoc on the interior of the system. I'd consider this a large hole, so I wonder - is there any hope for my air conditioning?

Jamie
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Re: My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:20 pm
by Big-Bird
There are ways to repair the tube, silver brazing.....not to be confused with soldering folks cuz silver needs a slightly higher temperature. Shops that repair welding torches have this capability and aluminum brazing with silver can be done. (used to work in that business years ago) and we did repair the occasional aluminum gas torch body that came through the shop.[*]

I would call either Steve at RSI or Mardy at Amazing Imports and see if you can't get a used line from one of them first.

Good luck. :M

Re: My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:35 pm
by CREGAN
Big-Bird wrote: I would call either Steve at RSI or Mardy at Amazing Imports and see if you can't get a used line from one of them first.
I second that- price it out first and see how much it is to replace. It would beat all the trouble of trying to fiddle fart around and fix this yourself. I have learned since owning my Deli that you have to pick your battles, or at least the battles you want to fight in personally. Sometimes it is easier to get someone else to help you out and fix it. Hope everyting else is going good on the gigantic Blueberry :-) .

Craig

My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:12 pm
by lettereleven
Thanks very much both. I am definitely not taking on this project myself! I am just really glad I didn't waste the money on the crappy tire charge kit. I will check in with both steven and mardy.

I think I will tackle something easy on the pocket book first - like waxing.

Aside from that, Blueberry is great! My wife wasn't convinced until recently when she got a "thumbs up" from from an 80-year old lady on the street.

Cheers
Jamie

Re: My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:31 pm
by CREGAN
Have you gotten any thumbs up yet? I get alot of stares (similar to shock and awe) and I even got a heavy metal salute by someone passing me on the highway the other day. Most people look twice- once because it is a unique looking vehicle, not often seen around here, and second look is when they realize I am driving on the other side. Kind of funny. I have said it before it is like driving an alien spaceship in a parade :-) .

Craig

My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:54 pm
by lettereleven
Yeah it's pretty funny driving this thing around. Rarely a day goes by when someone doesn't ask me a question about it. I never planned on being "one if those guys", but i confess i am strangely liking it.

Last weekend, I graciously let a friend drive it and we parked in CT. Two 18 yo dudes said to my friend "man,that thing is $&@& sick"! It was the happiest driving moment he had ever had.

Ah! Its all fun.

Re: My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 1:55 pm
by jessef
I would try to get the pipe replaced instead for patch repairing.

Re: My A/C system: Is there any hope?

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:12 pm
by legionnair
Convert it to an air compressor, if that side looks that bad the rest of he system is bad. I fix A/C all the time at work. You will fix the line and the compressor will not last long. Me I would build a small air filter for the low side take the high side and run it into an air/oil trap then into an air tank. Put a 100psi switch on the tank and use that as the ground control for the relay. Put compressor oil into the compressor and monitor the amount that comes out the separator.

Or, save up and drop huge coin.

Dustin