2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A/C replacement

[Don Bellamy]

I am replacing my compressor, liquid line, and accumlator/filter drier. After putting the correct amount of oil in the compressor what would be the correct way to add the remaining oil needed for the system?

Don

 

[scotmartin]

Typically, the entire oil charge goes into the compressor.

 

[LRutigliano]

Our trucks use a Sanden SD7-15HD compressor which comes with 210 ml (7. 1 oz) of Sanden SP-15 PAG oil. This is the total system amount of oil needed.



Here is the link for the Sanden Service Manual. Oil balancing of the system starts on page 26. However, if you don't want to mess with the oil balance procedure, installing a new compressor with the full 210 ml of oil will not harm anything in the system.



http://www.sanden.com/images/SD_Service_Guide_Rev.2.pdf



Hope this helps,

Louis

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I know there has to be a bunch of you out there with AC certs. Anyone ever hear of someone converting TO r-12? I think most will agree that r-134a sucks compared to r-12 and I know you need a cert to buy the stuff. How hard would it be? Would it even be worth it?

 

[LRutigliano]

I know there has to be a bunch of you out there with AC certs. Anyone ever hear of someone converting TO r-12? I think most will agree that r-134a sucks compared to r-12 and I know you need a cert to buy the stuff. How hard would it be? Would it even be worth it?

Its extremely illegal and very bad for the environment... if you get caught/reported, the fine is $25k !!



There is nothing wrong with R-134a. It works great as a refrigerant.



What "sucks" is that our Dodges have two very common leak areas:



1) the compressor front shaft seal (they don't seal very well when the shaft is spinning... )



2) those super lousy "spring leak" (spring lock) AC joints at the frontwall. They are inexpensive and the manufacturing folks like them because they don't need any tools during installation...

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Very bad for the environment? I know that's the reason why they made us all switch, but come on..... how's that global warming thing going?!?! (Just making a point about about our awesome EPA and the science/politicians) I know the fines are huge IF we get caught, and that's only if we break the law and vent the stuff, but I have never heard anyone (until now) argue that r13a is as good as r12. I have seen the numbers myself (the boiling point of r12 is a little lower than r1234a) and am not rying to get into a tech war. Especially when so many people on here know so much more than me. My question is about adding r12 to a r134a system. I know you need to be licensed to buy it. I furthermore know the license is extremely easy to get and once you have it, it's yours for life. What I do not know is if the two are comapatible. I know you can buy those little retrofit kits for about $10 and dump 134 into an r12 system and it works fine. How about going the otehr way?

 

[scotmartin]

Its extremely illegal and very bad for the environment... if you get caught/reported, the fine is $25k !!

I'd love to know where you heard this. I have been giving the EPA Test to my students for many years, and never heard this.



It is true that R-12 moves more heat per pound than R-134a. However, your 134a system, when working properly, should be just fine for your truck.



It is possible, and legal, to change refrigerants. But I wouldn't change to R-12. I would go the route of a refrigerant more like R414b. There are also several others like it. They are SNAP approved for mobile systems, and will actually improve the performance of your system (at least in theory).



The pressures are slightly different, and it may cause some problems with the pressure switch settings that you currently have.



I used the stuff in an old R-12 Crown Victoria that I had, and it worked great. However, If I had put a new compressor in and then tried to warranty it with that refrigerant. The warranty would have been void.

 

[Missouri Mule]

As I understand it R12 and R134A can not be mixed you would have clean to out your whole A/C system of R-134A then add a neutralizer before putting in R!2.



My A/C with R134A works perfect, has since new(knocking on wood).

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Mune is a little sluggish, so far this summer. (It just got warm enough to actually use it last week!) It still cools but it takes forever to get there and it's still not throwing ice chunks at me. All I have at the moment is a cheapo gauge from wal mart and it's telling me my pressures are ok. I guess I'll try to "top it off" and see if that helps.

 

[LRutigliano]

I'd love to know where you heard this. I have been giving the EPA Test to my students for many years, and never heard this.



Its illegal to put R-12 into a mobile AC system (automotive) built after 1994. Starting in 1994, all US vehicles were changed over to R-134a.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I'd love to know where you heard this. I have been giving the EPA Test to my students for many years, and never heard this.



Its illegal to put R-12 into a mobile AC system (automotive) built after 1994. Starting in 1994, all US vehicles were changed over to R-134a.

Not doubting you, but if you could list a source it would better inform all of us!

 

[scotmartin]

It is illegal to manufacture or import R-12 to the United States. You can certainly use any refrigerant legally purchased before the cut-off date. Granted, I only administer the type 608 test, not the mobile 609. So I may not be totally versed in the letter of the law as is pertains to mobile refrigeration.
And I would agree that it is illegal to mix refrigerants, I still would love for someone to produce the EPA regulation Chapter and Section that pertains to putting R-12 in a newer system. I really doubt that it is there.

 

[Pavemen]

this link seems to reference some laws from the Clean Air Act

EPA rules (George Goble; Jeffrey Levy)

i have not followed up and looked for the actual rules myself, but this can be a start for someone with additional interest