'80 SC - how to connect service hose to York compressor?
 

Hello,

my current project is to get the AC of my '80 SC working again. When I bought the car, the compressor v-belt was missing. I already found out that the cooler mounted under the engine lid has a hole in it. This i due to an intelligent mechanic mounitng the aftermarket ignition coil such that it hits the cooler when the lid is closed :eek:.

My current problem is with the access to the service port on the York compressor. I have bought a 1075x10mm v-belt that fits nice when tightened. However, if you look at the attached pictures, the service port becomes inaccessible under the sheet metal, especially if I have to mount an R12 to R134a adapter in addition. I have tried to move the compressor more to the left by using a shorter 1050x10 v-belt, but it is too short to mount.

I'm pretty sure there is a solution for the problem since there must be other cars out there with the same configuration. Does anyone have an idea how to deal with this? Have you been able to fit the adapters and the hose of the service unit? Is it possible that the compressor is mounted wrong? I'm clueless for the moment:confused:.

My second question is in regards to the valve for the service ports. I have unscrewed the protecting cap and found a square 1/4 inch valve stem (not sure about the term here). I think I have read somewhere that ti has to be turned clockwise/inward to open the valve. However, even when trying to turn it with considerable force, it doesn't want to move. Am I simply too coward? There is a saying in German that after tight there comes break (nach fest kommt ab;).



http://www.bendisch.com/Photos/York1.jpg

http://www.bendisch.com/Photos/York2.jpg

http://www.bendisch.com/Photos/York3.jpg

That belt is a bit too long, there should be enough room to connect lines to the service ports. On the York rotolocks all the way clockwise if "off" Honestly you should just disconnect that thing and throw it out, get a sanden or something else.

Looks as though you are going to have to loosen the compressor and move it back and attach the service hoses. Then move it back into position and tighten it back down and add refrigerant. Then do the opposite to get the service hoses back off. There is a tool called a reefer wrench that is used to open the stems on the service valves. They should be closed (counterclock wise) before removing the cap where the hose hooks up and then opened (clockwise) about a half a turn after installing the service hose.

+1..

the valve is a shut off valve. not sure how this one works since they can do different functions.

it may be possible that all the way CCW wil shut off pressure to the service port which is a great feature for connecting and disconnecting hoses. if so, just turn the valve a few turns CW to turn on the service port. (this is sometimes the option for the valve). it looks like this may be the case for that compressor.

what the vlaves are really for is for pumping refridgerant into the condensor/evap so you can remove the compressor without evacuating the system.
you do this by closing the low side (CW), once the low side reaches 0psi, or just under, close the hi side valve and shut off the compressor. now you can remove the compressor, replace it and pull a quick vauum one just the compressor then turn the gas back on and go, no recharging.

too bad cars dont have these anymore.

you can also get a set of adapters that go on the end of your hoses that seal as soon as you remove the hoses to prevent all the refridgerant from coming out of the hoses and giving you freezer burn, the part i hate most about working on AC.

Thanks for all the replies, problems solved:)

I have got another v-belt, this time the original from Porsche. It's a 12.5x1100 mm belt which places the service port more to the left. This makes it accessible for the service hose.

The problem with the "frozen" valves was a bit tougher since I found differing information which way to turn them to open. It turned out that clockwise opens them as per what was suggested above.

I will give the old York a try since I'm concerned with originality. However, I understand that it is less efficient.

Thanks, Manfred

it depends on where they were left, all the way CW or CCW. if it is like i said, the valve should be left in the CCW position, closing the service port for normal operation. helps to prevent leaks and you want it closed when connecting hoses.