What A/C components would you replace?

[SpyderMike]

My 1985 Carrera A/C compressor seized up due to non-use about 7 years ago. I cut the belt and have not used the A/C since then. I also let the car pretty much sit with very little use since then, but that is another story.

I am starting to refresh the car and I want to get the A/C working again. What would you replace? Should I gut the whole system and install everything new? Is a complete Rennaire system a good way to go?

Your opinions are appreciated.

[T77911S]

how much money do you want to spend is the question.

at the least a comp, a given, expansion valve and dryer. remove the condensor and evap and clean inside and out. get some AC flush and flush them out, or better yet, have it cleaned. flush all the lines. you need to make sure the crap from the old comp is all out, it will kill your new comp.

[SpyderMike]

Trying to do the prudent thing as far as cost, I am not trying to do the minimum. I don't want to be chasing crap in the system and spending money over time.

Are the newer components (dryer/condensor/compressor/etc) much more efficient than the vintage 1985 stuff that I would be replacing? what about the hoses and seals?

I have had this car for 20 years and 244000 miles and at this point the driver's seat is formed to my butt. I am attached to it (the car) and want to put another 250000 miles on it.

[brads911sc]

I have the complete Rennaire system... Run 134a. Very effective in the Tx Heat. get about 38-40 degree vent temps at 90 degree ambients...

[Hladun]

You probably need to replace the hoses which can be quite costly. You also need to have fans on the condenser(s) for the system to work.

[Wavey]

In that case you'd be smart to replace and upgrade the entire system. Definitely replace all the hoses with the newer barrier style; you can buy all-new (about $300) or have new hose installed on your original ends (about $150). Definitely replace the receiver/dryer, and at a minimum clean/blow out your original condensers and evaporator. From this point you can recharge with the original R12 or go to R134.

Beyond that every other upgrade will provide better performance. A bigger serpentine front condenser, a bigger serpentine evaporator, and a Procooler (cooled reveiver/dryer) will help a lot. The addition of another condenser (in front or behind the left rear wheel) would be about as far as you need to go. Additional cooling fans on the rear condenser will help too, as does sealing up all the ductwork. R12 still performs better than R134, IMO. These systems can use a lot of improvement and each step helps. Biggest problem is insufficient condenser area.

There's a ton of info available here - I'd suggest a search.

[Barrpete]

Buy a whole kit from Griffiths or Rennaire. Not cheap, but neither is replacing one component at a time. For sure you need a compressor and evaporator, might as well do the hoses too. Particularly since the system hasn't run for 7 years the seals are likely dried and cracked so they will leak. And yes you can get newer components that are more efficient. Who know's you could replace a few things and everything will be OK, but what you've got now is all 25 years old so it's more likely that if it hasn't failed yet it will soon.

I replaced my system with the Rennaire kit running 134a three years ago and no issues since. I have not had to recharge it yet. I just wish I had upgraded the evaporator fan when I was in there because now its starting to squawk.

[mthomas58]

I spent $1,900 di**ing around with the A/C when I bought my car trying to get it to work (2 new hoses, new front condenser motor, evap motor, dryer, rear condenser and 2 or 3 re-charges) and several visits to the shop only to end up with a functioning system that didn't cool very well. After speding that kind of $$$ I was still hot, sweaty and pissed!. Turns out I had a leak in the evaporator too. Assuming your system is original every component is 24 years old (i.e. well beyond it's expected life). Fix it once and fix it right. Replace with a kit of your choice.

[JMH82SC]

I spent under $400 to upgrade my system and have high 30s low 40s at vent in FL 90 plus heat.

Parts list:
Used Sanden Compressor
All new lines made with new fittings from local A/C shop
New Drier
New expansion valve

I cleaned reused the condensers and cleaned / insulated evaporator box. I pulled vacuum for 3 hours and charges with 134A.

[SpyderMike]

Thanks folks - A complete system it will be. A black interior in the SO CAL sun is no fun.

The bits in the car are all original, and up to the point that the compressor seized (due to my lack of using it regularly and topping it off), it worked OK, not great.

I look forward to putting a newer system in.

Thanks for your opinions.

Mike

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

Thanks folks - A complete system it will be. A black interior in the SO CAL sun is no fun.

The bits in the car are all original, and up to the point that the compressor seized (due to my lack of using it regularly and topping it off), it worked OK, not great.

I look forward to putting a newer system in.

Thanks for your opinions.

Mike

Will you do the instal yourself or have a shop do it all?
I'd like to watch/lend a hand if you are doing it yourself. I am facing the same issue with my 86 cab...
I am in Winnetka.

[SpyderMike]

I am a DIY guy. I am in Tustin (Orange County). You are more than welcome once I get all the parts together. It could be a month or two...

[magnuskgc]

I have an a/c system for sale from my 85.. just took it out of the Targa because I will never use it.. $150... hoses, dryer condensor compressor hardware the whole bit

[Wavey]

Good to hear you're going to go for it Mike. Feel free to ask questions once you get into it. It's a bit of a daunting task, what with the components spread from one end to the other, but it's not really tricky work, just a lot of pulling and dirty parts. I did the replacement hose on my original end fittings and everything fit great. Also got my seals and some seal lube/sealer stuff from the same company.

[SpyderMike]

Thanks for the offer magnuskgc, but if I am going through this effort I will put new stuff in.

Wavey - the replacement hose aspect sounds interesting. I will be talking to Rennaire and Griffiths about options in the next few weeks. I think I will plan to have this done for spring time...nice winter project.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

I think I will plan to have this done for spring time...nice winter project.

I hear that the Winter temps in SOCAL drop so much that we may be forced to wear long sleeved T-shirts...

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

I am a DIY guy. I am in Tustin (Orange County). You are more than welcome once I get all the parts together. It could be a month or two...

I'm a DIY guy too. Here:

A/C Upgrade Project starts tomorrow!

Adding 3 fans to rear A/C condenser

Anyone here with a 1986+ done a Kuehl Wirblesturm "Hurricane" evap motor upgrade?

New idea to help lower A/C vent temps.

Griffith's next generation front condenser is 75% thicker.

Mastercool Refrigerant Scale 98210-A

Is this A/C hose crimper OK?

Evap assist fan install in floorboard

A/C Evaporator box clip tips

DIY A/C Flush Gun

[GT40Mike]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I hear that the Winter temps in SOCAL drop so much that we may be forced to wear long sleeved T-shirts...

still fishnet though...

[GT40Mike]

Mark,

Thanks for saving me a lot of research time!

Mike

[johnnywishbone]

have an a/c system for sale from my 85.. just took it out of the Targa because I will never use it.. $150... hoses, dryer condensor compressor hardware the whole bit

pm sent