Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Engine Air Conditioner (Compressor, actually the whole system )
Engine Air Conditioner [message #316800] |
Sat, 29 April 2017 15:22 |
ree_eric
Messages: 43 Registered: February 2004 Location: Alexandria, Ontario, Cana...
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I had to unbolt the air conditioner compressor to install stainless steel exhaust cross over block off plates. I also have the inner fenders out. The compressor is very heavy on has not run for at least 12 years and the system has no pressure. Is the anything I should do while I have easier access to it? Seals, rebuild, new? Any way of testing the condenser, evaporator and lines before refilling? The compressor hoses have hose clamps on them, does this work? The heater box is open and there is no recirc flapper (1975). Should I do the modification to allow some recirc? Did I miss anything?
Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux vacuum, fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #316802 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sat, 29 April 2017 15:41 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508 Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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ree_eric wrote on Sat, 29 April 2017 15:22I had to unbolt the air conditioner compressor to install stainless steel exhaust cross over block off plates. I also have the inner fenders out. The compressor is very heavy on has not run for at least 12 years and the system has no pressure. Is the anything I should do while I have easier access to it? Seals, rebuild, new? Any way of testing the condenser, evaporator and lines before refilling? The compressor hoses have hose clamps on them, does this work? The heater box is open and there is no recirc flapper (1975). Should I do the modification to allow some recirc? Did I miss anything? If it has not worked for 12 years, why do you need it now?
Generally, hose clamps are not reliable in this application.
Easiest approach: Put the compressor back, replace the dehydrator, pull a vacuum on the system (or have an auto AC shop do the dehydrator and vacuum), put in 3 cans of Duracool. See how long it works.
Next hardest, more dollars: Buy hoses and a dehydrator from Jim K. and replace the ones you got. Get the vacuum work done so it holds a vacuum. Take it home and put 3 cans of Duracool in it.
Some have replaced the seals in theirs. I don't know if I could do it, so not going to tell you that you should. There are tutorials around for doing it. Taking it someplace to have it done is hit or miss. You might get back a foreign rebuild instead of the original.
Easiest: Take it to an auto AC place and tell them to make it work. They will want to replace all the plumbing, AND convert it over to R134a. Then it won't cool as good as OEM. And they will want exorbitant dollars to do that to you.
What I would do with infinite dollars: Buy a compressor, hoses, dehydrator from Jim K. and install them. Take it someplace and have them vacuum it down, and fix any leaks. Tell them when they get it to hold a vacuum, STOP. Take it home and put 3 cans of Duracool in it.
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #316849 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sun, 30 April 2017 17:42 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Along those lines, see the air conditioner seal party we had at Ted Petty's place a couple or three years back. It requires a few specialized tools to renew the seals in the A6 compressor. If you have them it isn't hard. If you don't, it's probably simpler to have a shop rebuild and reseal it, or buy a rebuilt from one of the warranty suppliers like Advance our AutoZone or the like. When it dies, take it back and get another. If you can pull a vacuum on it and it will hold overnight, it will likely work. Throw some mineral oil and Duracool in it and it should work. Replace any lines with hose clamps. You should use manufactured hoses with the proper fittings swaged on them.
Realize, the dash air conditioner isn't great when it's working. If you have a curtain behind the seats, it will keep the cab comfortable. For the whole coach, spin off the genset and fire up the roof units.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #316859 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sun, 30 April 2017 20:22 |
Jon payne
Messages: 495 Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Hi Eric,
Just resealed my original A6. Was very straight forward. Get get the tool to remove the clutch drive plate from AutoZone, free rental. No other special tools needed as you can install the newer double lip seal, instead of the two-piece carbon seal. Got a complete seal kit, including a how to YouTube from here: http://www.centuryautoair.com/. Nice people to deal with.
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner [message #316884 is a reply to message #316859] |
Mon, 01 May 2017 08:58 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337 Registered: March 2008 Location: Mounds View,MN
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Pull a vacuum first see if it holds, it's cheaper to buy a vacuum pump and gauges from Harbor freight than it is to pay someone to do it once.
I bought Jims aluminum compressor, I'm not hating it, tho it does have these bolts on the pully edge that WILL cut your hoses if you're not carefull!!
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Jon Payne
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2017 8:22:16 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner
Hi Eric,
Just resealed my original A6. Was very straight forward. Get get the tool to remove the clutch drive plate from AutoZone, free rental. No other
special tools needed as you can install the newer double lip seal, instead of the two-piece carbon seal. Got a complete seal kit, including a how to
YouTube from here: http://www.centuryautoair.com/. Nice people to deal with.
Jon
--
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner [message #317049 is a reply to message #316884] |
Wed, 03 May 2017 20:28 |
ree_eric
Messages: 43 Registered: February 2004 Location: Alexandria, Ontario, Cana...
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Thanks to all for the advice. I will try to pull a vacuum first. If I change the lines is a 2nd evaporator worth doing at the same time? They start at %75 It could perhaps fit under the passenger seat but I was just starting to mount the throttle body computer there. Drivers seat would take longer hoses. Going light weight, no roof air or large generator.
UNIVERSAL UNDERDASH AC EVAPORATOR
15 3/4"W x 13 1/2"D x 5 3/4"H
12V
high impact injected plastic case
32 pass 4way all Alumunim coil
Expansion valve
Electric thermostat and 3speed blower switch
Mounting brackets and drain hose and T included
13,700 BTU capacity
359 CFM
Eric & Ree '74 ex-Sequoia (parts) '75 Eleganza (TB, exhaust x-over blocking plates, Manny reaction arms and discs, 3"exhaust rear muffler, aux vacuum, fuel tank sealing, rebuilt senders and new rubber, propane hot water heater.) Alexandria, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317059 is a reply to message #316800] |
Thu, 04 May 2017 08:21 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447 Registered: October 2006 Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Actually the front compressor seal is to some small extent "self healing". Use redistrbutes the oil film which helps the seal work. In it's current state of disuse it is most likely not sealing well. Though it may not be "bad" .
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner [message #317061 is a reply to message #317059] |
Thu, 04 May 2017 08:47 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337 Registered: March 2008 Location: Mounds View,MN
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I would and did add the second evap, I love it I put mine under the couch with a fan switch up under the drivers seat.
I brought it to a place that made and ran the hoses. Sure helps cool the house while underway
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of John R.Lebetski
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2017 8:21:08 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner
Actually the front compressor seal is to some small extent "self healing". Use redistrbutes the oil film which helps the seal work. In it's current
state of disuse it is most likely not sealing well. Though it may not be "bad" .
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317142 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sat, 06 May 2017 23:35 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518 Registered: February 2006 Location: kansas city
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Where is everyone getting their Duracool now adays? Looking to get a case of 12 cans if available.
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317149 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sun, 07 May 2017 11:03 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518 Registered: February 2006 Location: kansas city
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Sorry guys, my bad. I'm in KCMO. Thanks for the links. I've found the case goes for around 90$ plus 20 shipping, where as if I order 3 cans at 20$, free shipping the it would be 12 for 80$, if my Jethro Clampet, 3rd grade math is correct??
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317154 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sun, 07 May 2017 14:56 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518 Registered: February 2006 Location: kansas city
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Sorry, bad info given to me. I guess it was 20 bucks a can rather than for 3. Found a alternative "Frosty Cool" 50$ a case of 12
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317159 is a reply to message #317154] |
Sun, 07 May 2017 16:27 |
pzerkel
Messages: 212 Registered: September 2007 Location: Salisbury, IL
Karma: 0
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tgeiger wrote on Sun, 07 May 2017 14:56Sorry, bad info given to me. I guess it was 20 bucks a can rather than for 3. Found a alternative "Frosty Cool" 50$ a case of 12
I am pretty certain this has been discussed here before...
But I am almost certain that FrostyKool is not Duracool nor any kind of HC12a. I believe it is basically 134a with some kind of additives to supposedly make it compatible with old systems.
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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Re: Engine Air Conditioner [message #317160 is a reply to message #316800] |
Sun, 07 May 2017 16:32 |
pzerkel
Messages: 212 Registered: September 2007 Location: Salisbury, IL
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I just searched some old posts. I may be wrong.
I really do not know.
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner [message #317166 is a reply to message #317159] |
Sun, 07 May 2017 18:40 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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G'day,
I posted this info awhile back:
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/nuhwtb4
Full URL:
http://www.frostycool.com/FrostyCool-r12a-refrigerant-replacement-for-r-12-f
reon-substitutes-18-oz-equivalent-1-case-12x-cans/
I spoke to a sales rep from this company and he advised that FrostyCool is
the SAME gas as Duracool.
Here's the math:
Case of 12 cans: $49.95
UPS Ground to TX: $14.90
Total $64.85
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Paul
Zerkel
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2017 7:27 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Engine Air Conditioner
tgeiger wrote on Sun, 07 May 2017 14:56
> Sorry, bad info given to me. I guess it was 20 bucks a can rather than for
3. Found a alternative "Frosty Cool" 50$ a case of 12
I am pretty certain this has been discussed here before...
But I am almost certain that FrostyKool is not Duracool nor any kind of
HC12a. I believe it is basically 134a with some kind of additives to
supposedly make it compatible with old systems.
--
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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