A/C overhaul questions

[Guest jcc3inc]

Hello All,

My '91, recently acquired, has a noisy A/C pump and I believe it leaks as well; the UV dye shows leaks around the compressor body.

Since I want to go over the entire system ONCE and have it last a long time, I am asking for suggestions.

1. Should the compressor be rebuilt (can I do it?), should a rebuilt compr be used, or a new compressor?? The rebuilt warranty seems to be for one year; since it is used maybe 3 months a year, that's not long. Prices rebuilt @ $199 and $445, new @ $587. Do you recommend a mfgr?

2. The system has been converted to R134A, supposedly by following some accepted standard procedure. What is the best cleaning procedure to follow? I'd need to clean the evaporator, condenser, muffler, expansion valve and lines. I've heard that the flexible lines should be replaced in some instances; any comments here?

3. Do I understand that replacing the accumulator/drier is recommended. Comments? Cost = ???

4. Is R134A recommended or are the R12 substitutes better?

And do you-all have other tips for getting the system in good shape? I have 119K miles on the car.

Thanks in advance,

Jack C.

[Guest spongebob]

dont buy a rebuilt compressor.

there is a cleaner you can run through the system.

cost can be found at the auto parts store you buy a new compressor from.

nothing is better than r12..

i would have a qulified a/c person do the work..that way your covered.

[Shelby]

Use a new one there are around $200 on ebay.

Don't waste your time a money on a reman.

The warranty is only good if you put in a new reciever dryer and orfice tube.

Convert it to 134. Easier to fix in the future and Al Gore would be proud of you.

[Guest EDBS0]

best prices here

$219 new

[Guest F14CRAZY]

As I understand it, there's A/C system cleaner commercially available. With the connections apart, you fill-er-up, and let it sit a few minutes, and blow out with compressed air until it comes clean. Dirty-ness can vary from a flush not being needed all the way to it being so bad, the condenser can't be properly cleaned and needs to be replaced.

[Guest DTerry]

Just bought a new compressor, drier, and orifice tube for $243 including shipping on Ebay. You can contact these folks at:

TechChoice Parts Distributors

3051 FM 663

Midlothian, TX 76065

United States

(972) 723-0112

[padgett]

I paid a bit more for an AC/Delphi unit. Do the offshore units work well ?

[Guest DTerry]

Here's the string-on song:

This compressor is a better-performing, more efficient, quieter, and less leak-prone copy of the GM / ACDelco HR6 compressor. Valeo~Zexel is a leading OE manufacturer; they supply Nissan, Audi, VW, Infiniti, Honda, Isuzu...several others, and are the manufacturer of the popular Seltec line as well.

Made using stolen U.S. technology?

So far, so good.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I haven't had good luck with Delphi stuff. No wonder they're bankrupt

[harry yarnell]

The Seltec stuff is great! It's my choice for a new compressor over the Delco. Being a Delco stockholder; this goes against my grain.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Aren't AC Delco and Delphi the same thing these days? I've seen Delphi Freedom batteries.

Delco good. Delphi bad.

[Guest MauiWowee]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Delphi bad. </div></div>

Jeeez..Don't ever say that here in Dayton. A bunch of people here getting ready to lose their jobs. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Sorry, but...

The Roady II I used to used, which I bought when they just came out ($150) was worthless just out of warranty. Line out jack emits audio garbage. Remember I don't beat on my stuff, especially not electronics, being a computer tech myself.

Then like at GMinsidenews.com I've read all about the troubles that the newer vans have had cuz of their Delphi alternators. They've replaced them enough times to be able to use the Lemon Law. I told them to get rid of the Delphi and swap in something like a Delco Remy 10SI.

I don't have anything against the workers, and I understand that jobs are at stake, but I don't respect a company that produces junk.

[Guest MauiWowee]

I am not disagreeing with you on quality issues, just calling your attention to a touchy issue in some areas. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest CL_Reatta]

At least their not as bad as the Chinese, anything mechanical they make never last's for more then 2 weeks <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />, i.e. I have owned 2 of those little scooters that you see everywhere, 1 electric and 1 gas, my electric one lost bolts the first week I had it, chain stretched within 3 weeks, and the tires were bald within 5 weeks, luckily I was able to return it because it was considered to be a liability issue to the seller. my gas was even more fun!, pull starter broke the day after I got it, I needed to weld the whole steering assembly about a month later, engine was a POS, and eventually the frame needed to be welded together after cracking (at the time it was still about 130 pounds below the "weight limit") bought it off the great world of ebay of course. sold it at the garage sale after about a year of ownership. I could also tell you about our great made in china generator, might have a pic of somewhere!

[charlie1]

ZZZ

Edited August 3, 2009 by CHAS1 (see edit history)

[bwarren]

I read an article that said before 2010, we will have China made cars on our roads. And lots of them.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Geely automotive corp., it's been big news around here in the Detroit Area. they had one of their cars at the Auto show at Cobo Hall, it looked nice but I wouldn't dare buy one, they will begin selling in the U.S. in 2008, the funny part is that the step up scooters (the road legal ones) to the ones that I had are made by Geely, they're not as problematic but still have lot's of bugs and they are very inferior to ones like Yamaha and Honda.

[charlie1]

ZZZ

Edited August 3, 2009 by CHAS1 (see edit history)

[jonlabree]

China, We already have them. My wife's Chevy SUV (small one) the Engine was made in China and the transmission was made in Korea.

[harry yarnell]

Guys, this thread's on air conditioning, not China. Lets move on...

[charlie1]

You are correct

[jonlabree]

Sorry

[Guest CL_Reatta]

My apologies for hijacking this thread