Cookin' My Buns Off

MustangPaul · Jul 24, 2004

Just got back from a nice run to Biloxi, MS. Actual temp, 94. Heat index, 113. Had the AC on and we were cooking. Anything over 60 MPH and what little cool I had dropped off to nothing. Stopped in traffic? So did the cool air.

Here are the specifics of my car's system:

New Sanden Compressor
Swapped to 134A
New Dryer
Newish Evaporator
Newish Condensor
New Hoses
Fan Shroud
New fan clutch and a 6 blade fan, I think. (Ford fan)

If the car STARTS cool--as in leaving the garage in the AM, the system will keep it cool. If the car is not cool, forget it. Pack your pockets with ice, roll down the windows and think cold thoughts.

Here is the million dollar question: Should I go back to R-12? How about one of the R-12 substitutes (I can't think of their name.) I have a 17 month old, the car is a daily driver and I live where it is, to quote my grandmother, hotter than the hinges of hell. I need damn cold air.

When I ran R-12 in the system, it was like a deep freeze. I liked that. I didn't like, however, contemplating paying ~$80 a pound for freon. I don't know of anyone who has used the freon substitutes either.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

mustang70 · Jul 24, 2004

I can't suggest anything for the A/C. I will say that I'm glad I got out of there when I did. It was warm enough for me in May. I can't imagine being there now.

MustangPaul · Jul 24, 2004

Ah, May! We had a breeze in May. Now it is just hot and humid with 2 pm rain.

Still, winters that bottom out a 40 degrees are fine and dandy with me.

Plus, we have excellent food and Abita Beer.

--P

mustang70 · Jul 24, 2004

What part of Louisiana are you in? I can't believe I was in Biloxi for five months and we didn't meet up.

MustangPaul · Jul 24, 2004

I am in Hammond, between Mandeville/Covington and Baton Rouge. Corner of i-55 and i-12.

Rode behind some buddies in their 66 red 'vert. Ate at Montana's BBQ. I'm STILL full. Mmmmmmmm. . . . . about 54 different kinds of meat.

--P

mustang70 · Jul 24, 2004

Well, if I end up in another school at Keesler I will definitly let you know.

MustangPaul · Jul 24, 2004

By all means do. We have a small club around here, but pretty active.

Anyone have a piece of advice for cold air? Anyone?

2nd Mustang · Jul 25, 2004

Sounds like you have to check the temperature of the air coming into the interior with the A.C. on and have it serviced by a GOOD air conditioning shop. When you switch to R134, don't you have to change some of the solenoid controlled valves? I had a shop convert my Pathfinder to R134 when my old compressor died and they changed out the compressor and some valves, boy it blew cold air.

I had my home A.C. serviced today, old type freon. Labor and freon came to $400+, ouch.

MustangPaul · Jul 25, 2004

I had one of the valves--the name escapes me--serviced. Basically, the AC system was completely redone and my air isn't anywhere near what is used to be!

I'm wondering about the r-12 substitutes. I'd like to avoid the $400+ bill!
--P

D.Hearne · Jul 25, 2004

Is there still freon in it? ( r134) Maybe there's just not enough in the system to allow the compressor to stay on. Might have sprung a leak with the switch to 134. I've heard that 134 systems build higher pressures than R12. I'd add a couple cans to the system to see if that helps. Or have someone do a check for leaks.

RajunCajun · Jul 25, 2004

MustangPaul said:
I am in Hammond, between Mandeville/Covington and Baton Rouge. Corner of i-55 and i-12.

Rode behind some buddies in their 66 red 'vert. Ate at Montana's BBQ. I'm STILL full. Mmmmmmmm. . . . . about 54 different kinds of meat.

--P

Your not to far from me either down here in Buras

2nd Mustang · Jul 25, 2004

Quality isn't cheap! I've had the A.C. serviced by many places, gas stations with service bays, quickie type oil change/repair places, just because of the low prices. When I finally got tired of the lack of quality, I went to a local air/radiator shop in an older part of town. They weren't cheap, but never had problems with their quality. I don't mind driving for service, as long as it's good. My GF takes her Acura to an independant repair shop over 20 miles away from her house! She gets good service and fair advice, even if it means the shop doesn't get her business for certain items.

bull999999 · Jul 25, 2004

Shouldn't A/Cs have a electric fan that's on as long as the A/C's on?

Ronstang · Jul 25, 2004

bull999999 said:
Shouldn't A/Cs have a electric fan that's on as long as the A/C's on?

Uhmmm.....not in 1966. The only reason the electric fan is on all the time when the A/C is on in new cars is because there is no engine driven fan on most new vehicles. The 66 already has a fan going all the time.

MustangPaul · Jul 25, 2004

D--

Yeah, the 134a operates at much higher pressures than the old r-12. Last time I checked, the level of 134 was fine, but I'll check it again to see. When we redid the system for 134a, we replaced o-rings and such.

It should work much better than it does.

The problem with an electric fan is that there isn't any room for a pusher and a puller would require revamping/replacing my alternator for the extra current.

(SIDENOTE: Isn't that an old car? In order to fix one thing, you have to replace three complete systems!)

I think that I'm going to ask the street rod guys--all locals born and bred--who they use for AC work, and pay to have it done correctly.

That's why God created charge cards.

If r-12 wasn't so damn expensive, i'd go back there in a heartbeat.

D.Hearne · Jul 25, 2004

I'll bet you sprung a leak somewhere, and the freon is low. One thing good about R134, is you can add it yourself. Just get a recharge kit at any parts house.

MustangPaul · Jul 25, 2004

D.Hearne said:
I'll bet you sprung a leak somewhere, and the freon is low. One thing good about R134, is you can add it yourself. Just get a recharge kit at any parts house.

D--Is the pressure for the system pretty much the same for older cars and new cars?

I'm going to pick one up tomorrow when I can get to a parts house. Can't hurt!

Ronstang · Jul 25, 2004

Paul,

I would not suggest putting any refrigerant in the system if you do not have guages to check the pressures. If you overcharge with 134a and do not have a high pressure cutoff switch you can have an explosion. Did you change out the expansion valve to one specifically for 134a when you converted the system, if not that may just well be the problem. When the cooling "goes away" look inside the unit to see if the evaporator is freezing up.

MustangPaul · Jul 25, 2004

R--I was going to get a set of gauges so I could see the pressure on the low side. I can't find a set that isn't $10 or $75! At the very least, I can let everyone know what the pressure is.

I did swap out the expansion valve. Pretty much it was new front to back. That is what bothers me. It should work!

--P

Ronstang · Jul 25, 2004

I wish you were closer....I would help you figure it out. Do check to make sure that the system is not freezing up inside.

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