more AC upgrade questions
 

I finished installing my new expansion valve on to the evaporator and I am now ready to replace the tar like substance that was on the original,I am assuming this is to insulate the expansion valve? Where does one purchase this stuff and what is it called?Is there something that can be purchased locally(Home Depot,Lowes) that can be substituted?Also the expansion valve I installed had longer copper lines than the original,I have them neatly coiled,do the copper lines have to be coated with the tar like substance?Another question I am either going to go with HC12A or Freeze 12 for refrigerant,I did not drain the existing oil out of the compressor but have flushed all the condensors and am installing a new receiver drier,I know I have to add about 4 ozs. of oil,should I go with mineral oil or Ester?Last question has anyone come up with a better way to attach the top cover of the evaporator/fan housing to the botttom besides those stupid clips?I managed to break one of the tabs and it looks like previous mechanics broke one also.Sorry for the long post but my project is coming along and I have to work out these details.Thanks

It's called prestite tape, and you can order it online. You're correct about its purpose, and if you don't have it then the expansion valve will never close like it should, causing the evaporator to ice up. The excess capillary tube should be coiled up, with a layer of presite between it and the expansion valve. Remember the capillary it there to sense the evaporator OUTLET, while the expansion valve is on the evaporator INLET, so there needs to be some insulation between the excess capillary and the valve. I can't help you with your oil question. Good luck,

I'm sure your local auto a/c shop can sell you some of the tape.

On the evaporator housing, I drilled holes through the top and bottom where the clips would otherwise attach, and used sheet metal screws to close up the box. I think i drilled a slightly larger hole in the top of the box so that the screw could pass cleanly through, and then bite into the bottom half.

Im sure you have spoken with Diane at Performance Aire. She helped me greatly with all of the tricks and components. I got my whole system refurbished with new lines and their compressor.

You can probably match the tar tape at an hvac shop.

I run R12 and haven't had a recharge since the refurbishment. That was five years ago. I live in the Dallas Texas area.

Thanks guys this board is great!!