A/C - meet Mr Hood

[89stangWhiz]

So, i have finished college in FL, and am finally back in MD with a job. I stayed in FL for the summer, and that was it for me, I broke down and had my a/c fixed finally. I think he did a fine job, I got a new compressor and dryer etc... So after a few weeks it leaks, and i take it back and he replaces the nozzle on the compressor that takes in the refridgerant, i guess it wasnt on tight enough.
This happened TWICE.
So, I am back in MD, and I now realized what went wrong! The new fitting for the R-134a is a lot bigger than the original R-12, and it sticks up higher. Also, on the line running across the front of the engine, i think the exit fitting for bleeding out the stuff, is sticking up a bit too high. SO, if my hood is let slam shut, bam, it hits the fitting on the compressor! (The fitting on the line has some flex if it rubs). I have insulation under my hood so thats how i realized it when I see a hole in my insulation.
Now that I have identified this is my problem, I am not sure what to do. If i were still in FL I would go back to him and have him put in an angled fitting or something so that it wont stick out so high, but I cant make the 1000 mile trip back down to FL, time, money, wear on car etc...
Has anyone else had a problem like this when they got ac in their car? Do they even sell a proper fitting to put on for my mustang? I dont have the equipment to vaccum out the refriderant or I would have just done the entire job myself in the first place! What can I do!?

 

[jrichker]

The R134a adapter will unscrew from the compressor. It may have some locktite type adhesive on the threads, but it will unscrew. You can make a trip to your local auto parts store and find a suitable replacement.

A trip to the dump or a used appliance place will get you an old refrigerator compressor that works great for a vacuum pump. That's what I did - got it for free and it works great.

 

[darthcual]

Will taking off the hood insulation keep it from hitting? If that would fix it, thats what id do. However, I believe the insulation is for more than just noise. I think in the event of a fire under the hood it tries to extinguish it. I could be wrong though.

 

[PuterAmI]

I could be wrong though.

You are.
Feel free to ditch the hood insulation.
It does almost nothing.
Some years do have a neat embossed Mustang in it.

jrichker - If you are reading this, would you mind explaining how to turn refrigerator guts into a vacuum pump? Or, a website detailing this?

 

[fiveohGT]

was the hood insulation designed for fires? I always thought it was just sound deadening or to keep the hood from warping or something

 

[jrichker]

You are.
Feel free to ditch the hood insulation.
It does almost nothing.
Some years do have a neat embossed Mustang in it.

jrichker - If you are reading this, would you mind explaining how to turn refrigerator guts into a vacuum pump? Or, a website detailing this?

The electric refigerators all have a hermetic unit in them that makes an excellent el cheapo vacuum pump. First, find an old refrigerator that runs but has leaked all the Freon out. That way you don't have to worry about recovering the refrigerant. Then just cut the suction & pressure lines to remove the hermetic unit and bolt it to a board. I put a 1/4" flare fitting on the suction line, wire up the start capacitor and use an old computer power cord for the wire & plug. As you see from the picture I previously posted, it isn't anything fancy.

Keep 3 or 4 oz of R12/R22 compatible oil around to lube it up occasionally. As long as you use it only as a vacuum pump, you don't need to worry about getting the mineral oil lubricant mixed with the PAG or POE oil in the car's A/C system.

 

[PuterAmI]

was the hood insulation designed for fires?

Nope.

jrichker -
Thanks!