Cascade Crew

[83Z28BlackBetty]

So i thought i'd try and get my AC working before i scrap it just because having it in a black car would be very nice.

step 1, test compressor. Turn AC on and compressor is dead, just sitting there not compressing anything.

So move on to step 2, give compressor direct electricity to see if it works. Sure enough!! starts spinning right up.

Step 3, So I decide to leave the test wire in place and drive it around the block and get some cool air moving through the engine and see if it will chill the air. But i get about a 1/4 mile away when smoke starts pouring in through the vents and under the hood. SH*T SH*T!!

step 4, pull over and kill it while doing a silly please don't catch on fire dance. Thankfully no damage but i guess I answered the question of whether or not to ditch the AC.

what a day!

~JAKE

[Sellmanb]

Do 3rd gens have a high side pressure sensor?

If so you could have probably just gotten away with a leak check and a/c evac/recharge.


Glad your beauty didnt catch fire though, that woulda been major bummer!

[aaron_sK]

I never really understood the whole thing with people wanting their AC. I haven't used the AC system in any car in the last three years, even those with fully working systems. After working in a kitchen for years, 100 degrees in a car doesn't seem like anything.

Fresh air FTW!

[BigDaddyVu]

dude the pressure sensor activates the compressor if their is r-12 presant. i coverted mine over to r134a but just remember to replace the orifice tube or it won't work.

and another thing girls like to ride with comfort and coolness makes them easier for later activities.

[Quasi-Traction]

[Demon]

[83Z28BlackBetty]

[blue89]

Don't forget the pump is lubricated by oil in the freon, so if you ran it without any freon or oil you probably burnt it up.

[Sellmanb]

Jake, it'll be easier for you to convert to R134a while you're doing up the A/C system. You'll need a new compressor either way, the rest is pretty much just fittings and replacing a few O rings. Then just have your dealership evac/recharge the A/C system for yah and you're good to go.

After you get refrigerant and oil in the system then you can figure out where the leak is coming from that caused you to lose all the refrigerant (an old car like that I would check the condenser first)

[Quasi-Traction]

[Al Hasse]

[BigDaddyVu]

schmucks has a ac deal going on right now. for our cars. If you guys have a Harbor Frieght near by the also have HVAC Manifold Gauge set with 134 A on it. It works completely manufactured out of Aluminum Alloy. What you need is a New compressor pump, Condenser, Expansion Valve, Orofice Tube(Metered Filter). And since you allowed the pump to burn up your going to have to clean the system out of dirt and metal fillings. Now thats a hard chore to do. and even if you do replace the parts and assemble them then you have to clean the system again. I think i posted a link last year on DIY 134 A Conversion.

[Xophertony]

if you do convert to R134a be SURE to have your system vacuumed first to remove the R12 oil. r12 and R134a do not like each other. also, once your system has been exposed to the environment moisture is in it and your AC System does not like moisture in it's lines.

before deciding to spend big money on an R134a conversion, consider the more modern (and better for the environment) refrigerants. i am talking about R406A "autofrost". there is a guy on there who has been getting sub freezing duct temperatures. now, that is an extreame example, but it shows what the stuff is capable of. and the best part is it's 100% R12 compatable, it flows oil just like the R12 systems, it can use the same Comprssors as an R12 system etc... if your R12 system still worked you would only need to flush the system and charge the new coolant. since yours is run down you are going to have to change seals anyway.

anyway, here is the thread in case you want to explore your options. http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/cooling/428019-r406a-autofrost-review.html
quite good reading.

[BigDaddyVu]

Ahh here is the link.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_wkm/episode/0,2046,DIY_14348_26868,00.html

[chevymad]

Mine's converted to R134 using the stock evap/condensor. But I also used a variable orifice tube and a cycling switch, both set up for r134. Monday night cruising home from longview I had the a/c going through the defroster vents. I actually frosted the outside of my windsheild up over the lower 4". Turned on the wipers to wipe it off.

[83Z28BlackBetty]