Can I check the A/C comp. if the R12 is out??

[JR911]

Hi guys, I'm looking at another 86 Targa Sat. The seller says the A/C gas has all leaked out and didn't want to repair for the sale. He also said he didn't believe that the comp. was bad and that the a/c had worked well before all the gas was gone.

Will the A/C comp. engage without pressure in the system so I can tell if it will at least egage and turn?

I know is a wild question, not knowing what is wrong, but what in your opinion should I deduct from the price due to non-working A/C?

Thanks in advance!! J.R.

[R22tech]

Yes, you can check the compressor. You'll need refrigerant guages to check and see that when you turn on the compressor, it goes into a vacuum. So when you put the guages on it- it will read o psig/o psig with the compressor off. And probably 25"vac. with the compressor on. The problem is, even if that checks out- doesn't mean you can just filler up with R12 and be done. You could have contaminents in the system, in which case, you'll most likely need professional assistance to clean up the system and make it function properly. This takes a strong knowledge of the refrigeration system to accomplish and lots of time, which equals lots of money. It seems most mechanics aren't willing to spend the time, or they don't have the knowledge, so they just recommend going to a R134A conversion. So, if you want working a/c, then I would subtract a good $1500-$2000 from the price of the car.

[rstoll]

I was fortunate enough to be able to vacuum my system down and recharge.. it worked. I'm with R22, just price the car with no air and then if you have access to a few lbs of r12, suck it down and fill it up. With the long run of porous rubber hoses from the back to the front of the car, they need topping up every couple of years anyway. I did have to replace o ring seals at the compressor manifold on mine. Good luck.

[Joeaksa]

JR911,

Remember that if the freon is gone, there is a reason for it! Seal gone, hose leaking and so on.

The dryer should be replaced when you do the work as the system should be considered to have been "open to the atmosphere" and its not going to work correctly now (R22 pls correct me if I am wrong here) so you should not just vacuum the system and plug a few cans of R12 in...

Cannot tell by your profile where you are from but if you are South of the Mason/Dixon line, you need it to work right in the summer! Those lucky enough to live in the North do not need it to work the best, but them those of us who live in the southern part of the country get to driver our Pcars in the winter as well...

Also, the older cars have A/C hoses are the "non-barrier" type of hoses, which means that they leak a bit by design. Spend the bux and upgrade the hoses while you are doing it and get it right from day one. Griffiths in San Diego and many others (including local shops) can make new hoses for your car.

JA

[baratta930]

What is the going rate for a set of barrier hoses? As a fellow south of the mason-dixon line pcar owner, (with a blue on blue car), I need to do something about my A/C. I have a known leak in the condenser to condenser hose, which is the longest and you guessed it the most expensive (about $350 for porous original type hose!), I figure now might be the time to put in barrier hoses.

Has anyone in a hot southern climate installed the Griffiths MrICE type extra condenser? It looks interesting, but at $1300 in parts just for the kit, I'd like to hear some rave reviews before considering purchase

Thanks,

Berardino
83 930
HCRPCA