AC Black Death... it's all good (sorta)

[Discseven]

Toasting this compressor… probably began 2 years ago when I failed to flush system (after attending maintenance and a variety of evac & charge tests.) Not flushing back then meant there being no precise base line for the amount of oil in system. Thought it would work to guesstimate oil to add… appears not. Or, China-made compressor was doomed from the start… No telling. Perhaps Charlie can shed more light on this. (Not sure if it’s relative but will note: shaft seal was leaking some months ago. Caught that quickly and replaced seal. System worked for a while… then died.)






Pulled compressor few weeks ago---fluid & fines have since dried to a black chalk. Autopsy is tempting… but… too much on plate to add an exploration. Later perhaps. Will get new comp to get on with it... unless Griff-tech advises a repair. (Casting of this compressor has a solid looking feel to it---seems well made. Of course that doesn't mean internals are worth repairing. I'd repair if there's justification.)






The good news… black death forces base line determination for amount of oil in system. Yeah, flushing is a package of work but once done and correct oil amount goes in… there’s one more piece of AC puzzlerama put in place. | I'm all for that!

Question…

How much oil is optimal for this system* (?)…bearing in mind I’ll take new compressor and drain it to point of no further oil coming out under a gravity-draining (in order to base line it.) After complete flush, system will get new TXV, R/D, o-rings.

* 3 condensor---stock front & back with added Kuehl fender unit w/fan, stock evap, Kuehl barrier hose throughout with pressure switch, Kuehl R/D, Kuehl 3 under-dash vents. Evap box is insulated. Does 33 vent temp with 52 degree delta / w/60% ambient humidity. (33 vent is city driving / Miami. Liquid charge R134a with 26 dry-hose weighted ozs. installed from 30 lb tank. Pressures noted @ idle.) Continue to chase the infamous 09MPG’s 29 degree---in 95+ degree ambient @ idle---popsicle maker. (I’ll get there Ron. And forget that 26 degree shiat---that's you hallucinating.)



CG: 26 oz charge was done prior to switching out fluttering high pressure gauge to fluid filled.
Recalling this begs the question, could "relentless" flutter throughout tests have any relationship to compressor's death?


Ref pics…dash – car’s been parked in full sun (15 minutes or so), windows up.




Targa’s top. One day I’ll see if eggs will scramble…




Targa sidebar: Since top temp (above) was seen, I’ve rebuilt roof and “while in there,” added foam'd-foil insul on bottom side of plates, and foil membrane just below roof’s skin. Got no proof this does anything but since insul cumulatively weighs next to nothing and I was in there… why not. (Gotta believe it does... something.)






Flush Plan:

Have previously used off-the-shelf cans for evap flush. Don’t see same approach being thorough (or cost efficient) when dealing with entire system. Am thinking of a looping flush done section by section using pure alcohol---a bilge-pump-in-bucket scenario. Hoses attached to system will loop fluid from-and-back-to bucket. Once dirty, will change-out fluid to fresh stuff. Keep doing this until fluid cycles cleanly for each section done. Plan to do evap and each condenser individually. And, each hose section individually. Direction of flush is against system’s operating flow. Estimate it being a 2-day project.

Questions...

Is looping fluid best way to achieve uber clean?

Was told pure alcohol is “optimal flush fluid” (from local AC people) and heard from others… “Don’t use alcohol.” Mineral spirits was suggested followed by alcohol followed by blast of refrigerant. ???...What truly is best fluid(s) to use?

.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

^^^

Karl, will leave it to Griffzilla to advise on flush and oil fill methods and amounts for your fines system, butt want to say that I really like your boss, anti-heat treatment to the Targuuuhhhh, top - very nice indeed!

Also, you failed to specify that 09MPG's 29 degrees is achieved in 95 degree + ambient, and at idle - mid to upper 80s yields around 26 degrees! Get it right, and getcha suuuummmmmmm, bro!!!

[Discseven]

^^^ You're a man of intrigue... and fine compliment Ron. Much appreciated TexAzzBro. Did indeed neglect important details. Will adjust. (Slow grind to match your perverted temps but u can start looking over shoulder now for me )

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Karl, "perverted temps" is about as perfect a descriptive, and compliment, of the system performance that one could ever think of - fookin' love it!

[kuehl]

OMG
Friggen A
Here we go again.
Where do you want to start.

That is one UGLY picture pal.

Liquid AC flush the hoses (you will need gallons, gallons), condensers, remove TEV from evap and flush evap, get a new TEV and drier, new compressor, yada yada.

Karl, you are going to make me want to retire.

Send me a fifth of Tanqueray, 2 cases of Becks and we'll work this out.
Oh, and I wish for 2 Mulligans, front and back 9's.

Cheers

Griff
Still stuck in NJ.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Send me a fifth of Tanqueray, 2 cases of Becks and we'll work this out.

I'll cover the Becks just to watch the show.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Karl definitely produces the best (worst?) a/c pics; previously an evaporator that looked like a couple of decomposing squirrel carcasses were embedded in it, and now a compressor hose port that looks like a toilet discharge pipe at the local biker bar!!!

[kuehl]

I just read the label, it's a 1.75 L (gin).

5-6 oz total system (refrigerant oil).

Yup, I'm just sitting back on this one Bob,
been there done that.

Yeah, it amazes me today how many old farts are out on bikes with noisy exhaust systems...... wannabee's ?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Yup, I'm just sitting back on this one Bob,
been there done that.

Karl works the issues. He will be fine(s).

He has a week or more of grunt work if he does not quit his day job to clean.

If he does not have an air compressor, he needs to buy one.

I used mineral spirits to purge my system. I swear I read it in the archives of the factory manual this was acceptable. It has been three years since a top off but as you know, I have about 2,200 cans left in my 30 pound tank.

I do see modern elixers that are light-years ahead of mineral spirits. Also the procedure is serious business.

Can't Karl just pull all parts and clean with high pressure hot water and then follow with the spiffy AC specific stuff?

BTW that Sanden you sold me in the late 90's is still pumping out the anti-therms.

Why did you sell Karl that Chinee green label compressor.

Also, are there any historical threads where Karl had issues with his AC?

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Also, are there any historical threads where Karl had issues with his AC?

Nope - Karl is an a/c veeergine!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Nope - Karl is an a/c veeergine!

Just like Hitler's niece.

[kuehl]

1) The compressor I sold you was special, cause you are special !
2) Karl bought his compressor on Ebay, cough.
3) I'm on Gin and Tonic #4 watching HBo's Rome on my hacked Amazon stick; thank you Kodi.

Got a ton of work, after vacation, need another vacation.

Getting old sucks

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by kuehl

1) The compressor I sold you was special, cause you are special !

Does the compressor like Keystone brew, Chinese food (and the little Chinese hotties that work where Bob feeds), and Tagruuuuhhhsss?!?!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Does the compressor like Keystone brew, Chinese food (and the little Chinese hotties that work where Bob feeds), and Tagruuuuhhhsss?!?!

No, Charlie sold me the compressor, I installed it per instructions and it has been working fine for 19 years.

The hottie at the Chinese place is 19 years old I sent you the pic of. I need to have massive money and/or big cocaine to dip into that. I have neither.

I got a little R22 and some Claritin D.

Stand down. You have hit your quota.

[Corvus Corvax]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Nope - Karl is an a/c veeergine!

At least we won't have to hear about the SPAL fan and trinary switches. Ah, crap.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Corvus Corvax

At least we won't have to hear about the SPAL fan and trinary switches. Ah, crap.

Thank the God as my east European MIL would say.

Corvus is done with his nap.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Holy shart - guess that is the Beetlejuice concept at work?!?! I mentioned to Bob just a few hours ago about noticing an extended, radio silence from Crusty Corvaxxx! Weird!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Holy shart - guess that is the Bettlejuice concept at work?!?! I mentiond to Bob just a few hours ago about noticing and extended, radio silence from Crusty Corvaxxx! Weird!

So no contact you made?

[Rawknees'Turbo]

^^^

Nope, was going to send message this evening, though! Voodoo cosmic freaky freakazoid stuff right there!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

freaky freakazoid

Word!