Page 1 of 2
air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:59 am
by roadie
Anybody know where the low side a/c valve is on the l400 ?? I found the hot side but can't seem to find the low side ???

Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:10 am
by Mr. Flibble
roadie wrote:Anybody know where the low side a/c valve is on the l400 ?? I found the hot side but can't seem to find the low side ???

No, but I would like to add on another question to your question, how does one charge the A/C system of a L400? Is it required to take it to a specialist because of the fluid/gas type? The A/C on my Delica is quite weak due to age.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:06 am
by roadie
I've been using the aftermarket kits for a few years and always had good results. You can really dial in the charge (slightly undercharging) to get maximum results. Available at Crappy Tire or Princess auto for about $50...Kev.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:36 am
by Mr. Flibble
roadie wrote:I've been using the aftermarket kits for a few years and always had good results. You can really dial in the charge (slightly undercharging) to get maximum results. Available at Crappy Tire or Princess auto for about $50...Kev.
But will the charge kits actually work on the L400? I was talking to Kidwrecked and he mentioned how it might have a different gas, and potentially different valves in it that might not be compatible. I don't know enough about AC systems to be able to comment apart from how they work from Physics.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:58 pm
by madmazda
You'll have to poke around a bit it's hard to find look under the intercooler near the a/c pump it should have a larger bluish cap kind of hard to see....
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:12 pm
by Kuan
I'm pretty sure the L400 uses R 134a which is still available in Canada. I think the older L300 used R12.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:22 pm
by roadie
Because it's ILLEGAL to mix gases, I must insist that all current refrigerant in your system be replaced prior to the install of an "off the shelf" refrigerant. That being said, five years ago the same company claimed perfect compatibility with r12 or r134a. They still claim no damage could ever happen to your system by mixing gases, but it is technically illegal. Because I can't read, I went ahead and mixed them for many years. I still have hard nipples as a result.....
Draw your own conclusions people......

Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:23 pm
by Mr. Flibble
roadie wrote:Anybody know where the low side a/c valve is on the l400 ?? I found the hot side but can't seem to find the low side ???

I just did a search on the OZ forum, and it seems one is right next to the battery behind the left (passenger) headlight, and the other is under the intercooler cowl.
I also found the following in a google of AC refilling:
Don't mix R-12 and R-134 refrigerant. This is illegal, and won't work anyway. R12 and R134a require different oil for lubrication. R-12 systems use a mineral oil, R-134a systems use a PAG oil. A mixture of the two could (and probably will) damage the compressor, the most expensive part of the A/C system. If you change the compressor, you must also change the filter/dryer and may have to flush the condenser. Either Ester or PAG oil can be use on a conversion.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:51 pm
by Kuan
R134a is a different refrigerant with different properties than R12 or R22. It is designed for higher pressures, requires different filter/dryer, oil, seals etc. It runs at a higher pressure so without changing out your oil the compressor may fail in time.
But if you have an L400 you already have R134a so no problems there.
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:57 pm
by roadie
Mr. Flibble wrote:roadie wrote:Anybody know where the low side a/c valve is on the l400 ?? I found the hot side but can't seem to find the low side ???

I just did a search on the OZ forum, and it seems one is right next to the battery behind the left (passenger) headlight, and the other is under the intercooler cowl.
I also found the following in a google of AC refilling:
Don't mix R-12 and R-134 refrigerant. This is illegal, and won't work anyway. R12 and R134a require different oil for lubrication. R-12 systems use a mineral oil, R-134a systems use a PAG oil. A mixture of the two could (and probably will) damage the compressor, the most expensive part of the A/C system. If you change the compressor, you must also change the filter/dryer and may have to flush the condenser. Either Ester or PAG oil can be use on a conversion.
Ah, yes but off the shelf kits are neither r12 or r134a........
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:40 pm
by MardyDelica
hi, all L400 uses R134A gas freon. not R12
its same gas we used here in canada which has R134A= thye already updated it in japan
cheers;
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:25 pm
by loki
taken standing in front of the van with the hood up (clearly :)) you can see the battery on the right.
you can see the cap on in the first shot and off in the second, hope this helps.

- IMG00021.jpg (457.21 KiB) Viewed 6713 times

- IMG00020.jpg (441.93 KiB) Viewed 6712 times
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:47 pm
by Mr. Flibble
Thanks Loki!
So, now I know where the ports are... The next question is, Can I use a Canadian Tire Kit to refill, or do I have to get this professionally done?
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 4:28 pm
by loki
Mr. Flibble wrote:Thanks Loki!
So, now I know where the ports are... The next question is, Can I use a Canadian Tire Kit to refill, or do I have to get this professionally done?
I got a kit from lordco that worked pretty well, I probably would have gotten better results if I had drained the system first or something, but it blows cold now anyways :)
Re: air conditioning low side
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:30 am
by Mr. Flibble
loki wrote:Mr. Flibble wrote:Thanks Loki!
So, now I know where the ports are... The next question is, Can I use a Canadian Tire Kit to refill, or do I have to get this professionally done?
I got a kit from lordco that worked pretty well, I probably would have gotten better results if I had drained the system first or something, but it blows cold now anyways :)
:D
I picked up a kit from Walmart (as Ukrainian tire was closed). I know that both kits have a small paper filter enclosed in a plastic case. I know that this filter is used to test the quality of the oil in the A/C system by bleeding some of the oil out and inspecting the colour on the filter, but I have absolutely no idea how to do this, and I have not found any directions online either! Furthermore, they recommend that you bleed the old gas out - and I cannot find directions on how to do that either.
I think I will have to go in the same direction as you and just add gas to the current mix to top it up so that the air begins to blow cool again!