My AC burns me up --- Summary of fix

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Incredible writeup and summary.

Agree. Very thorough work throughout the three threads.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

I'm "settled" that the loss of refrigerant was due to a 7 YO Schrader valve not seating. Were either of you aware, at the time, that over tightening the quick connect R-134a adapters could result in damage to the Schrader valve(s)?? Damage (internal, spring?) to a Schrader valve might prevent seating but still not be visible IMO.

Wood in bottom of smuggler's box almost had to be the result of operating the system with the passenger footwell inflow duct not in place for an extended period of time. You have had "possession" of the car for the entire ~8 year period?

Certain Jake will agree, I'll be candid... we were both ACidiots at the outset of this project. My appreciation to him for inviting me to share his equipment---we had a good time fumbling around as we did! So... no. We had no idea about Schraders and the travel of coupling pins. Now... I know. There was discussion about the loss of pressure with some saying the evidence of refrigerant leaving the system would be clear to see. I'm going to disagree. It could have leaked out without a trace---for legal reasons, am not saying any refrigerant leaked out at any time. Only hypothesizing here.

You may well have hit on the kindling answer. (Yes... car in my possession only.) It's very possible that resistor was out for a while. I simply can't remember but that would seem to be the ONLY way for foot rest wood to get in there. Damm fine thinking Will. Am calling that mystery solved.

[wwest]

A slow, "low velocity", leak via the Schrader valve would not "carry" the "clear to see" refrigeration oil which would otherwise indicate a leak.

If I remember correctly some of the early pictures did show evidence of abuse around the mounting screw holes for the inlet/resistor duct.

[Ronnie's.930]

Nice write-up, Karl, and really a fine and determined effort to stay the course with this despite the many battles between the mobile a/c experienced and the mobile a/c inexperienced that stunk up your previous threads (which I acknowledge having a MAJOR role in).

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wwest

A slow, "low velocity", leak via the Schrader valve would not "carry" the "clear to see" refrigeration oil which would otherwise indicate a leak.

If I remember correctly some of the early pictures did show evidence of abuse around the mounting screw holes for the inlet/resistor duct.

Agreed on "abuse." Such an eye for detail.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Nice write-up, Karl, and really a fine and determined effort to stay the course with this despite the many battles between the mobile a/c experienced and the mobile a/c inexperienced that stunk up your previous threads (which I acknowledge having a MAJOR role in).

TY and LMFAO... Between you and Bob, there's indeed much blame to absorb for the sordid & diverse entertainment enjoyed in threads 1 & 2. We be on to different pastures now MONSTER. TY for all the help you provided... especially the "beat the fuc**** relay a little" emergency problem solving you did via phone. You're in my history books forever for that one Ron.

[DaveMcKenz]

This is a great summary and photo-documentation of your earlier threads. I am very glad you now have excellent performance from your a/c. I suggest your next thread should be 'A Summary or Guide to the Summary of "My a/c Burns me up"'.
Great job,
Dave

[ganun]

Good to see your back Karl!
I agree,a great guide and I would go a step further and recommend a more direct thread title like aircooled a/c .The bible
Also, this is one of the most important things learned from this was to USE the thermostat control, before, like probably most people when it got too cold I would turn the blower down rather than turn the thermostat up. When the air starts coming out below 40, just turn the temp up a bit , works perfectly without freezing the evap.
Cheers,

[jimthe1st]

Originally Posted by ganun

Good to see your back Karl!
I agree,a great guide and I would go a step further and recommend a more direct thread title like aircooled a/c .The bible
Also, this is one of the most important things learned from this was to USE the thermostat control, before, like probably most people when it got too cold I would turn the blower down rather than turn the thermostat up. When the air starts coming out below 40, just turn the temp up a bit , works perfectly without freezing the evap.
Cheers,

With a fully functional system provided the T-stat is properly, correctly, calibrated and installled correctly the evaporator should never freeze up.

[jakekooser]

I'm glad you finally got the results you wanted, Karl. Now, of course that summer is coming to an end, I finally got the last parts to finish rebuilding my system.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by jakekooser

I'm glad you finally got the results you wanted, Karl. Now, of course that summer is coming to an end, I finally got the last parts to finish rebuilding my system.

Yup... winter has sort of arrived. Let me know how things go with your system.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Yup... winter has sort of arrived.

FU Karl - 83 here right now and 89 predicted for this coming Saturday (mid-high 80s all week)!

[crownarch]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

FU Karl - 83 here right now and 89 predicted for this coming Saturday (mid-high 80s all week)!

Ronnie, as soon as my wife and I return home from our trip I believe I can help you out. I will need to start my 911 as it has been sitting idle for awhile so, I will make sure the exhaust is pointed toward Texas when I crank it up. Maybe it will blow some of our cool PNW fall weather your way. Suffer sucker....ha ha ha.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by crownarch

Maybe it will blow some of our cool PNW fall weather your way. Suffer sucker....ha ha ha.

Ronnie will squalk no matter what. A Texas candy bone. A chicken fried chicken, Blue Bell ice cream eatin' candy bone.

Temps never got over 85 all summer in Rockwall.

Word to your Mother as Vanilla Ice says. (Am I dating myself?)

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by crownarch

Ronnie, as soon as my wife and I return home from our trip I believe I can help you out. I will need to start my 911 as it has been sitting idle for awhile so, I will make sure the exhaust is pointed toward Texas when I crank it up. Maybe it will blow some of our cool PNW fall weather your way. Suffer sucker....ha ha ha.

Hey, I didn't know you wuz one of us. Whichy which part of the PNW? The insufferable hipster part? The richy-richy east of a lake part? The spandex-wearing-jump-on-the-light-rail-to-get-to-a-food-truck part? Or the vast dry deserty part that starts just east of the Cascade crest?

[billybek]

Nice work. Good write up.
Glad to have been able contribute in a (hopefully) positive way.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

FU Karl - 83 here right now and 89 predicted for this coming Saturday (mid-high 80s all week)!

F that temp report Ron. You'll see snow later today.

Good time for 29 degree "gas story." If you will, a detailed song & dance on your method would be excellent. Am curious as to what special treatments you might be managing. Obviously you're doing more than a few things right.

[Algernon]

This is a really great write-up! Congratulations on seeing it through and taking the time to detail everything!
Slightly off-topic - I found the single best thing I did (quick/cheap/effective) was to line the frunk with sheet rubber draught excluder.
Just cut to fit and not even glued in, so I can check for condensation underneath it.
Amazing how much outside air gets through the dash and fights with the cold AC air. You wont believe the difference!

[Ronnie's.930]

Bob, one of the few times when you will NOT hear me squalk about the heat is when I am cruising in my icy, pimp-hand machine! And you are confused there, buddy boy - you meant to say that it never got BELOW 85 in Rockwall this summer!

Gary, whatever you do, please refrain from sending a PNW fart this way - would be a very un-cool thing for you to do, sir!

Karl, the only snow I might see around here would be glorious snowflakes firing out of my car's a/c vents! Getcha suuuummmmm, bub!!! PS: will do about writing up my pimpolicious charging technique when I have a chance.

[Ronnie's.930]

Algernon, that is a really good idea and I plan to shamelessly copy you at some point!