SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

1
Hi All,

Merry merry festive season. Apologies but still not sure if I will make it to Syncro tour in January but not looking probable at this point.

Anyway, back on topic, just thought i would check in, have we found yet a turn-key solution to the 'recondition the in-dash prestige unit' conundrum? Is it as easy as this if everything is still functional?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R-12-R-134a-Air-Conditioning-Conversion-Retrofit-Kit-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2a06969864QQitemZ180499159140QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Or is it likely that the compressor will need replacing (or other parts) also?

:) Sam
2
Sam,

I'm not sure about the Prestige compressor but the factory bits work fine with the R134a by just changing over the fittings. One should completely evacuate the system before refilling if said system is expected to perform at it's best.

I've found that the R134a cools about 4F-8F degrees warmer than R12. More importantly, the volume of air directed to the face seems to be what truly matters.


BenT

On Dec 20, 2010, at 11:15 PM, "heysamuelarnold" <me@samarnold.org> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Merry merry festive season. Apologies but still not sure if I will make it to Syncro tour in January but not looking probable at this point.
>
> Anyway, back on topic, just thought i would check in, have we found yet a turn-key solution to the 'recondition the in-dash prestige unit' conundrum? Is it as easy as this if everything is still functional?
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/R-12-R-134a-Air-Conditioning-Conversion-Retrofit-Kit-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2a06969864QQitemZ180499159140QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
>
> Or is it likely that the compressor will need replacing (or other parts) also?
>
> :) Sam
>
>
>
> ----
3
Hi Sam - I don't know much about air conditioning, but my next door neighbour does - he does it for a living. His advice was to replace the receiver-drier unit, and replace the old black O rings with green ones. These parts are available cheaply at any good auto supply shop. The receiver-drier does not have to be identical, a similar one with the same fittings will do. I got mine at Repco. I replaced everything myself and my neighbour purged the system, replaced the compressor oil, recharged the gas, and it worked a treat. I have done it on two vehicles now. The best advice is to replace any hoses that look a bit dodgy as the new gas is much more likely to find any leaks. Don't convert unless you have to, because the new gas is not as effective as the old - just more ozone - friendly.  Cheers, Roger [Beetle].

4
Roger,
Is yours the Prestige brand A/C system?
Ken
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:01:10 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Hi Sam - I don't know much about air conditioning, but my next door neighbour does - he does it for a living. His advice was to replace the receiver-drier unit, and replace the old black O rings with green ones. These parts are available cheaply at any good auto supply shop. The receiver-drier does not have to be identical, a similar one with the same fittings will do. I got mine at Repco. I replaced everything myself and my neighbour purged the system, replaced the compressor oil, recharged the gas, and it worked a treat. I have done it on two vehicles now. The best advice is to replace any hoses that look a bit dodgy as the new gas is much more likely to find any leaks. Don't convert unless you have to, because the new gas is not as effective as the old - just more ozone - friendly.  Cheers, Roger [Beetle].


5
Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which didn't have air-con.

  It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it. I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.

  The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but the principles are the same.

  By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to fit under the back seat.

  I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do the same job.

  I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03 titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.

  It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.

  I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797, which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are different to the valves we use in Oz.

  It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which varies according to the compressor model.  Too much or too little can damage the compressor or detract from cooling performance.

  The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709 needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know which one you have.

All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information is totally useless.

  Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?

  My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the oil, and re-gas it.

  It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at all times to avoid contamination.

  Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.

  I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New Year, but will keep you posted.

Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].

 

 

6
> All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT
> IS
> IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR
> ROOF-MOUNTED
> SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION.

All genuine air cons are roof mounted.
7
Hi Roger Beetle,
 
Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard . From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
 
As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12 . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
 
Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle Eastern country who appriciated our  (German) work ethics but not the rest of our being... 
 
I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT)  freed the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand compressor of a discarded  household freezer (roadside thank you)
and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not rising.
 
Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and had run out of R12/22.
 
Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.   
 
Hope I have not bored you too much,    Hart
 
 

 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which didn't have air-con.

  It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it. I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.

  The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but the principles are the same.

  By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to fit under the back seat.

  I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do the same job.

  I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03 titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.

  It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.

  I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797, which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are different to the valves we use in Oz.

  It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which varies according to the compressor model.  Too much or too little can damage the compressor or detract from cooling performance.

  The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709 needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know which one you have.

All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information is totally useless.

  Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?

  My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the oil, and re-gas it.

  It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at all times to avoid contamination.

  Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.

  I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New Year, but will keep you posted.

Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].

 

 


8
Hart,
 
All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
 
Cheers,
 
Skot
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 

Hi Roger Beetle,
 
Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard . From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
 
As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12 . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
 
Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle Eastern country who appriciated our  (German) work ethics but not the rest of our being... 
 
I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT)  freed the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand compressor of a discarded  household freezer (roadside thank you)
and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not rising.
 
Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and had run out of R12/22.
 
Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.   
 
Hope I have not bored you too much,    Hart
 
 

 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which didn't have air-con.

  It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it. I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.

  The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but the principles are the same.

  By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to fit under the back seat.

  I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do the same job.

  I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03 titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.

  It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.

  I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797, which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are different to the valves we use in Oz.

  It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which varies according to the compressor model.  Too much or too little can damage the compressor or detract from cooling performance.

  The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709 needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know which one you have.

All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information is totally useless.

  Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?

  My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the oil, and re-gas it.

  It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at all times to avoid contamination.

  Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.

  I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New Year, but will keep you posted.

Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].

 

 


9
Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
standards). Francesca.

On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com> wrote:
> Hart,
>
> All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Skot
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Hartmut Kiehn
> To: wendyand brian
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> Interest Group)
>
>
>
> Hi Roger Beetle,
>
> Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
>
> As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
>
> Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> of our being...
>
> I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> rising.
>
> Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> had run out of R12/22.
>
> Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
>
> Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: Gullyraker@aol.com
> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> Interest Group)
>
>
> Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> didn't have air-con.
>
> It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
>
> The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> the principles are the same.
>
> By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> fit under the back seat.
>
> I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> the same job.
>
> I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
>
> It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
>
> I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> different to the valves we use in Oz.
>
> It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
>
> The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> which one you have.
>
> All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> is totally useless.
>
> Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
>
> My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> oil, and re-gas it.
>
> It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> all times to avoid contamination.
>
> Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
>
> I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> Year, but will keep you posted.
>
> Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
10
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the many highly knowledgeable members of SCASIG, I definitely have a better understanding and a bit more direction now.

:) Sam

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Francesca Coles <fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
> Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
> Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
> our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
> together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
> admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
> standards). Francesca.
>
> On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
> > Hart,
> >
> > All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> > and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Skot
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Hartmut Kiehn
> > To: wendyand brian
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> > Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Roger Beetle,
> >
> > Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> > refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> > fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> > From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> > Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
> >
> > As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> > regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> > . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> > unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> > compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
> >
> > Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> > there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> > Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> > of our being...
> >
> > I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> > Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> > the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> > air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> > compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> > and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> > tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> > vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> > rising.
> >
> > Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> > although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> > worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> > had run out of R12/22.
> >
> > Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> > vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
> >
> > Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: Gullyraker@...
> > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> > Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> > didn't have air-con.
> >
> > It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> > job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> > shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> > console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> > good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> > I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> > should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
> >
> > The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> > the principles are the same.
> >
> > By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> > it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> > years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> > under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> > figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> > Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> > another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> > fit under the back seat.
> >
> > I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> > Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> > cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> > the same job.
> >
> > I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> > titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> > 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> > capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> > anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
> >
> > It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> > compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> > compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> > and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
> >
> > I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> > of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> > on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> > which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> > couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> > using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> > different to the valves we use in Oz.
> >
> > It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> > varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> > the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
> >
> > The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> > needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> > other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> > during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> > which one you have.
> >
> > All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> > IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> > SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> > they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> > is totally useless.
> >
> > Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
> >
> > My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> > from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> > receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> > oil, and re-gas it.
> >
> > It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> > all times to avoid contamination.
> >
> > Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> > gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
> >
> > I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> > Year, but will keep you posted.
> >
> > Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
11
Sam,  we hope the direction you are experiencing now is going North for 412km and turning right. See you  ....... Hart
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: me@samarnold.org
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:11:35 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the many highly knowledgeable members of SCASIG, I definitely have a better understanding and a bit more direction now.

:) Sam

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Francesca Coles <fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
> Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
> Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
> our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
> together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
> admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
> standards). Francesca.
>
> On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
> > Hart,
> >
> > All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> > and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Skot
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Hartmut Kiehn
> > To: wendyand brian
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> > Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Roger Beetle,
> >
> > Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> > refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> > fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> > From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> > Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
> >
> > As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> > regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> > . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> > unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> > compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
> >
> > Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> > there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> > Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> > of our being...
> >
> > I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> > Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> > the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> > air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> > compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> > and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> > tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> > vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> > rising.
> >
> > Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> > although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> > worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> > had run out of R12/22.
> >
> > Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> > vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
> >
> > Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: Gullyraker@...
> > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> > Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> > didn't have air-con.
> >
> > It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> > job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> > shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> > console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> > good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> > I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> > should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
> >
> > The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> > the principles are the same.
> >
> > By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> > it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> > years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> > under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> > figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> > Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> > another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> > fit under the back seat.
> >
> > I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> > Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> > cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> > the same job.
> >
> > I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> > titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> > 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> > capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> > anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
> >
> > It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> > compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> > compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> > and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
> >
> > I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> > of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> > on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> > which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> > couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> > using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> > different to the valves we use in Oz.
> >
> > It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> > varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> > the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
> >
> > The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> > needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> > other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> > during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> > which one you have.
> >
> > All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> > IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> > SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> > they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> > is totally useless.
> >
> > Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
> >
> > My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> > from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> > receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> > oil, and re-gas it.
> >
> > It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> > all times to avoid contamination.
> >
> > Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> > gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
> >
> > I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> > Year, but will keep you posted.
> >
> > Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>


12
G'day Hart - it's interesting to hear what you have to say, because my next-door neighbour didn't bother measuring too much either - after running the vacuum pump for a few hours, he connected up the gas bottle which was sitting on a set of digital scales and, if I remember rightly, put about a kilo of gas into the Rangie. It seems that an experienced operator can guesstimate pretty accurately.

  I suspect the US technical bulletin is aimed at mechanics who are more used to changing oil than refigerant gas, and lack the savvy of blokes who do it all day every day like my neighbour does.

Cheers, Roger Beetle.

13
Hart,
 
That will be my direction as of Friday.
 
Catch you very soon.
 
Regards,
 
Scott
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 12:24 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 

Sam,  we hope the direction you are experiencing now is going North for 412km and turning right. See you  ....... Hart
 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: me@samarnold.org
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:11:35 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the many highly knowledgeable members of SCASIG, I definitely have a better understanding and a bit more direction now.

:) Sam

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Francesca Coles <fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
> Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
> Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
> our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
> together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
> admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
> standards). Francesca.
>
> On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
> > Hart,
> >
> > All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> > and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Skot
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Hartmut Kiehn
> > To: wendyand brian
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> > Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Roger Beetle,
> >
> > Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> > refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> > fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> > From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> > Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
> >
> > As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> > regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> > . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> > unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> > compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
> >
> > Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> > there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> > Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> > of our being...
> >
> > I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> > Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> > the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> > air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> > compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> > and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> > tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> > vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> > rising.
> >
> > Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> > although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> > worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> > had run out of R12/22.
> >
> > Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> > vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
> >
> > Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: Gullyraker@...
> > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> > Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> > didn't have air-con.
> >
> > It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> > job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> > shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> > console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> > good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> > I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> > should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
> >
> > The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> > the principles are the same.
> >
> > By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> > it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> > years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> > under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> > figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> > Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> > another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> > fit under the back seat.
> >
> > I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> > Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> > cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> > the same job.
> >
> > I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> > titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> > 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> > capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> > anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
> >
> > It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> > compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> > compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> > and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
> >
> > I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> > of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> > on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> > which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> > couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> > using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> > different to the valves we use in Oz.
> >
> > It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> > varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> > the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
> >
> > The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> > needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> > other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> > during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> > which one you have.
> >
> > All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> > IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> > SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> > they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> > is totally useless.
> >
> > Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
> >
> > My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> > from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> > receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> > oil, and re-gas it.
> >
> > It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> > all times to avoid contamination.
> >
> > Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> > gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
> >
> > I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> > Year, but will keep you posted.
> >
> > Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>


14
Roger,  that's how it's done in that industrie , you never tell the client how much gas you used, you just put the kilos onto the invoice. Don't get me started on the fridge bus.
 Hart
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:27:54 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
G'day Hart - it's interesting to hear what you have to say, because my next-door neighbour didn't bother measuring too much either - after running the vacuum pump for a few hours, he connected up the gas bottle which was sitting on a set of digital scales and, if I remember rightly, put about a kilo of gas into the Rangie. It seems that an experienced operator can guesstimate pretty accurately.

  I suspect the US technical bulletin is aimed at mechanics who are more used to changing oil than refigerant gas, and lack the savvy of blokes who do it all day every day like my neighbour does.

Cheers, Roger Beetle.


15
Skotty,  isn't it the law to stop every 3hrs10 ? and have a rest ? As before 3 mins off the Goat Track. See you  Friday !  Hart
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: spbconsulting@bigpond.com
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:29:48 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Hart,
 
That will be my direction as of Friday.
 
Catch you very soon.
 
Regards,
 
Scott
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 12:24 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 

Sam,  we hope the direction you are experiencing now is going North for 412km and turning right. See you  ....... Hart
 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: me@samarnold.org
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:11:35 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the many highly knowledgeable members of SCASIG, I definitely have a better understanding and a bit more direction now.

:) Sam

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Francesca Coles <fcoles6@...> wrote:
>
> Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
> Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
> Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
> our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
> together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
> admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
> standards). Francesca.
>
> On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
> > Hart,
> >
> > All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> > and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Skot
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Hartmut Kiehn
> > To: wendyand brian
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> > Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Roger Beetle,
> >
> > Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> > refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> > fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> > From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> > Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
> >
> > As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> > regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> > . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> > unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> > compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
> >
> > Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> > there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> > Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> > of our being...
> >
> > I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> > Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> > the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> > air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> > compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> > and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> > tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> > vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> > rising.
> >
> > Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> > although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> > worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> > had run out of R12/22.
> >
> > Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> > vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
> >
> > Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: Gullyraker@...
> > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > Interest Group)
> >
> >
> > Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> > didn't have air-con.
> >
> > It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> > job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> > shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> > console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> > good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> > I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> > should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
> >
> > The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> > the principles are the same.
> >
> > By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> > it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> > years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> > under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> > figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> > Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> > another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> > fit under the back seat.
> >
> > I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> > Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> > cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> > the same job.
> >
> > I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> > titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> > 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> > capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> > anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
> >
> > It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> > compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> > compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> > and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
> >
> > I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> > of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> > on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> > which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> > couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> > using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> > different to the valves we use in Oz.
> >
> > It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> > varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> > the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
> >
> > The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> > needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> > other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> > during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> > which one you have.
> >
> > All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> > IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> > SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> > they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> > is totally useless.
> >
> > Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
> >
> > My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> > from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> > receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> > oil, and re-gas it.
> >
> > It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> > all times to avoid contamination.
> >
> > Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> > gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
> >
> > I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> > Year, but will keep you posted.
> >
> > Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>




16
Roger and ALL,
Mine is a Prestige as well. This topic is like a revolving door, been coming around here often enough over the past few years, more often than not ... about the Prestige system.
 
When I was hot on this topic 2 years ago, I got so far with it then after being stuffed around by experts (AC industry repairers), I unofficially shelved this restore project ... not enough reliable info, wasted money on two pointless re-gases, trouble identifying the correct replacement parts and from what source, who to go to to get work done that I can't do ie conversion from flared to 'o' ring crimped hose fittings to suit a new ZEXEL (by VALEO) compressor I bought (rather than introduce a bulkier adaptor setup for the connector hoses), identifying the correct crimp fittings to suit the existing onboard (non current industry standard?) hoses (I have the complete catalogue on MANULI rubber industries refrigeration hoses/fittings including REFRI STAR crimp fittings), understanding the correct sequence for the restore, what to do, what not to do ... this topic may as well be rocket science to the average van owner seeking an AC restore on a budget. To be honest, despite my being more than happy to try the "hands on DIY" method as you describe, it became all too much gobbledegook ... meaning instead, just open the window and commune with global warming, aided and abetted by the hot hot floor we all experience in summertime from the extracted radiator heat. C'est la vie.
 
So I must say though I envy you your neighbor, just the bloke to re-motivate my interest in this project? Wish he was here. The local mobile AC guy isn't so understanding. Not a lot of interest from such people when they learn its a 20yo AC system that needs work and needing in-car crimp fitting changes to hoses. Maybe you could ask him some questions I could pose and the replies might help others here as well in the same circumstance ... typically about a Prestige system long overdue for some TLC, ideally DIY for economy reasons. Again, I/we might even learn something along the way.
 
Just for your interest and to understand where I'm coming from and acknowledgements to Yurik in Perth who responded to my pleas for help on this Prestige AC system topic, I'm pasting his reply post (2008) to me. Also note Yuriks reference to the need to replace the XT valve.
 
Cheers.
 
Ken
 

Original circa 1990 aftermarket air conditioning system ... upgradeable?

Ken

My syncro has the Prestige Auto Air system and I also found it to be ineffective. At one point when a re-gas was needed, I had the XT valve replaced and this improved the cooling significantly.  Later when I did the Subaru engine conversion the new engine (2003)  came with a compressor which was retro fitted to the existing system and this combination produced very crisp cold air, a huge improvement.  I have come to the conclusion that the old compressors are inefficient and the modern new ones are the answer to an aging ac system that we have.  One of my friends replaced his compressor in a 2L air cooled VW bus with a smaller modern one and it transformed his ac.

With the T3, the engine compressor bracket would have to be modified and new hose connectors installed to suit the compressor used.  All other components remain.

If you can get a new modern compressor that bolts straight on the existing bracket then that would be the major part of the ac upgrade.  The remaining things are to get new fittings on the hoses to connect to the compressor, new TX valve and receiver-drier.

I would use Hose Masters/Enzed or similar to crimp on new o-ring connectors. Any decrease of length as the result of cutting off the old fittings can be made up by using longer Al tails on the new fittings, all available off the shelf. The rest of the components in the system are re-used i.e., condenser, evaporator, thermostat, pressure switch and hoses.

I would then present the completed system to an ac specialist and ask them to do a re-gas. Make sure that the system is flushed to remove any R12, oil and contaminants. Have a pressure test using Nitrogen gas and as well, a vacuum leak down test. Make sure they use extra oil because of the longer hoses in the syncro. They will probably inject a UV sensitive dye with the R134A for leak checking post re-gas. It would be a good idea to return to them after approx. 600km with good use of the ac for a further leak test.

My ac has remained very cold now some 3yrs later. However one would expect a slow reduction of efficiency after 5yrs or so due to the slow molecular diffusion of the gas through the long rubber hoses and seal leaks.

For the moment I am keeping cool.

Regards

Yurik       21/11/2008

 

 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 
Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which didn't have air-con.

  It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it. I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.

  The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but the principles are the same.

  By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to fit under the back seat.

  I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do the same job.

  I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03 titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.

  It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.

  I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797, which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are different to the valves we use in Oz.

  It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which varies according to the compressor model.  Too much or too little can damage the compressor or detract from cooling performance.

  The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709 needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know which one you have.

All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information is totally useless.

  Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?

  My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the oil, and re-gas it.

  It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at all times to avoid contamination.

  Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.

  I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New Year, but will keep you posted.

Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].

 

 


17
Hi Ken, looks like I've opened another can of worms ...

I started to fit the a/c to the syncro two summers ago but never finished it because there were always more important projects that got in the way- like the urgent engine rebuild and the transmission overhaul.

  I'm still trying to get around to fixing the central locking that carked it a couple of years ago. It seems like I only think about the a/c when the weather gets hot, but that doesn't happen too often down here in Goulburn.

  The good thing about kombis is they don't turn in to an oven on a sunny day, like most other cars. In a fit of weakness I nearly bought a new car a few months ago, but luckily sanity returned when I asked the salesman if I could get it without a black interior. He said no. I walked away muttering curses, and saved twenty thousand bucks.

  I just finished wrapping a carton of beer for my neighbour's Chrissy present. [He gassed up the Rangie just last week]. Send me your questions, and I'll lay them on him when the time is right. He is a very busy bloke who works long hours, but we share a masochistic fetish for old Range Rovers and often comes over for a chat when he sees me working on mine. This happens quite a lot ...

  It is interesting that Yurik mentioned molecular diffusion of the gas through the hoses. Paul [my good neighbour] said the same thing - apparently the new gas has smaller molecules than the old - which is why your hoses and O rings need to be in tip-top condition.

  Did you find an appropriate modern compressor that is a good fit?

  It's probably time to start thinking about finishing the a/c installation. They reckon that summer might come quite soon, although others say that we already had it last Wednesday.

Cheers, Roger.


 



18
I agree Roger.
 
I don't think we are getting a summer this year - just lots of vaguely humid slightly warm air and bucket loads of rain.
 
NSW is now completely drought free from what I have heard.
 
I think the "Global warming" is causing this colder climate we seem to be experiencing all year.
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 11:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)

 

Hi Ken, looks like I've opened another can of worms ...

I started to fit the a/c to the syncro two summers ago but never finished it because there were always more important projects that got in the way- like the urgent engine rebuild and the transmission overhaul.

  I'm still trying to get around to fixing the central locking that carked it a couple of years ago. It seems like I only think about the a/c when the weather gets hot, but that doesn't happen too often down here in Goulburn.

  The good thing about kombis is they don't turn in to an oven on a sunny day, like most other cars. In a fit of weakness I nearly bought a new car a few months ago, but luckily sanity returned when I asked the salesman if I could get it without a black interior. He said no. I walked away muttering curses, and saved twenty thousand bucks.

  I just finished wrapping a carton of beer for my neighbour's Chrissy present. [He gassed up the Rangie just last week]. Send me your questions, and I'll lay them on him when the time is right. He is a very busy bloke who works long hours, but we share a masochistic fetish for old Range Rovers and often comes over for a chat when he sees me working on mine. This happens quite a lot ...

  It is interesting that Yurik mentioned molecular diffusion of the gas through the hoses. Paul [my good neighbour] said the same thing - apparently the new gas has smaller molecules than the old - which is why your hoses and O rings need to be in tip-top condition.

  Did you find an appropriate modern compressor that is a good fit?

  It's probably time to start thinking about finishing the a/c installation. They reckon that summer might come quite soon, although others say that we already had it last Wednesday.

Cheers, Roger.


 



19
It's not called "Global warming" now, it's "Climate Change". And yes the climate does change (usually 4 times per year). Just watch out for the Y2K bug, Halley's comet and the hole in the ozone.



> Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com> wrote:
>
> I agree Roger.
>
> I don't think we are getting a summer this year - just lots of vaguely
> humid slightly warm air and bucket loads of rain.
>
> NSW is now completely drought free from what I have heard.
>
> I think the "Global warming" is causing this colder climate we seem to
> be experiencing all year.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gullyraker@aol.com
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 11:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con
> Special Interest Group)
>
>
>
> Hi Ken, looks like I've opened another can of worms ...
>
> I started to fit the a/c to the syncro two summers ago but never
> finished it because there were always more important projects that got
> in the way- like the urgent engine rebuild and the transmission
> overhaul.
>
> I'm still trying to get around to fixing the central locking that
> carked it a couple of years ago. It seems like I only think about the
> a/c when the weather gets hot, but that doesn't happen too often down
> here in Goulburn.
>
> The good thing about kombis is they don't turn in to an oven on a
> sunny day, like most other cars. In a fit of weakness I nearly bought a
> new car a few months ago, but luckily sanity returned when I asked the
> salesman if I could get it without a black interior. He said no. I
> walked away muttering curses, and saved twenty thousand bucks.
>
> I just finished wrapping a carton of beer for my neighbour's Chrissy
> present. [He gassed up the Rangie just last week]. Send me your
> questions, and I'll lay them on him when the time is right. He is a very
> busy bloke who works long hours, but we share a masochistic fetish for
> old Range Rovers and often comes over for a chat when he sees me working
> on mine. This happens quite a lot ...
>
> It is interesting that Yurik mentioned molecular diffusion of the
> gas through the hoses. Paul [my good neighbour] said the same thing -
> apparently the new gas has smaller molecules than the old - which is why
> your hoses and O rings need to be in tip-top condition.
>
> Did you find an appropriate modern compressor that is a good fit?
>
> It's probably time to start thinking about finishing the a/c
> installation. They reckon that summer might come quite soon, although
> others say that we already had it last Wednesday.
>
> Cheers, Roger.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
20
Definitely the direction I would like to head in Hart, just a matter of diplomacy now. Would also need to visit the old lady in Dorrigo if I'm up that far so will have to see. Talk soon, Sam.

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@...> wrote:
>
>
> Sam, we hope the direction you are experiencing now is going North for 412km and turning right. See you ....... Hart
>
>
>
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: me@...
> Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:11:35 +0000
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special Interest Group)
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Just wanted to say a quick thank you to the many highly knowledgeable members of SCASIG, I definitely have a better understanding and a bit more direction now.
>
> :) Sam
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Francesca Coles <fcoles6@> wrote:
> >
> > Nice one, Skot! Pity the air isn't as naturally refrigerated as in
> > Russia at this time of year, though. Your ingenuity is admirable,
> > Hart. Reminds me of when I was in Russia, and the drive shaft fell off
> > our host's Lada in a monastery carpark and was hastily cobbled back
> > together with bits of string. We made it back to Moscow, and I have
> > admired Russian ingenuity ever since (if not Soviet manufacturing
> > standards). Francesca.
> >
> > On 12/22/10, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@> wrote:
> > > Hart,
> > >
> > > All this A/C talk is far too much for me. I will just wind down the windows
> > > and use the Russian A/C system - where the air comes rush'in in.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Skot
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Hartmut Kiehn
> > > To: wendyand brian
> > > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> > > Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > > Interest Group)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Roger Beetle,
> > >
> > > Very interesting what you dug up there, in my younger years, I had a
> > > refrigeration business in Safrica (as we called it then) one our job was to
> > > fix the aircon systems in spanking new Jags lined up at the dealer's yard .
> > > From 10 cars on average 8 were faulty. In most cases the connection between
> > > Expansion valve / evaporator was leaking.
> > >
> > > As you might understand, in those days there was not too much available in
> > > regard to tec specs , yes, we could give them excactly so many onces of R12
> > > . But who were the guys writing up those specs anyway ? So we charged the
> > > unit until the back pressure settled to 12 psi and the return line at the
> > > compressor was nicely cool but not frosting.
> > >
> > > Worked every time and we knew 'cos they would have come back to us if
> > > there was some thing not ok , The dealers originated from a certain Middle
> > > Eastern country who appriciated our (German) work ethics but not the rest
> > > of our being...
> > >
> > > I recently re surrected the aircon in my Trakka from being dead. The
> > > Sanden was frozen . I in stalled the factory comp bracket (ta BenT) freed
> > > the compressor, checked the rest, resisted the temptation to use compressed
> > > air because it's never free of moisture, but instead used a second hand
> > > compressor of a discarded household freezer (roadside thank you)
> > > and pulled a vacuum for 2 days. If you haven't got an electronic leak
> > > tester (the flame ones are not accurate enough) you could switch off the
> > > vacuum pump, close the valve at your service gauge and watch the vacuum not
> > > rising.
> > >
> > > Charging the system R12 was used, it's really cold, please don't use LPG
> > > although it's equally cold, it was used alot in Safrica especially when you
> > > worked a2 day trip from the workshop somewhere in Botswana or Basutoland and
> > > had run out of R12/22.
> > >
> > > Both our service trucks were single cab T2 bakkies (utes) on average those
> > > vehicles of S. A. manufacture did 5000 km p.m.
> > >
> > > Hope I have not bored you too much, Hart
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > > From: Gullyraker@
> > > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:15:25 -0500
> > > Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] SCASIG (Syncro Cactus Air-con Special
> > > Interest Group)
> > >
> > >
> > > Yep. I transferred it from my ex-Telstra van to the Caravelle, which
> > > didn't have air-con.
> > >
> > > It is an unfinished project at the moment - but the lion's share of the
> > > job is finished - removing the entire dashboard to fit it all in was a major
> > > shoe-horn job, which is probably why the factory went for the roof-mounted
> > > console. Took me two long days to remove and replace the dash, but it is a
> > > good opportunity to add extra gauges and electrical gizmos while your at it.
> > > I fitted another cigarette-lighter plug near the windscreen for the GPS. I
> > > should have made it two, because now we've got an Ipod.
> > >
> > > The two other conversions I carried out were on old Range Rovers, but
> > > the principles are the same.
> > >
> > > By the way I have a second dual-air con unit going cheap if anyone wants
> > > it. The previous owner bought it from a VW wrecker for $1200 (!!!) about ten
> > > years ago, but never fitted it. It has a large heat-exchanger which fits
> > > under the floor in the middle of the van. I never fitted it because I
> > > figured it would get covered in mud or damaged when four-wheeling. It is a
> > > Prestige unit with the usual dashboard vent and Sanden compressor, and
> > > another outlet for the rear compartment which looks like it was designed to
> > > fit under the back seat.
> > >
> > > I will look in the shed to find the i.d. of the new receiver-dryer from
> > > Repco. My expert tells me that he always hunts around for a more common and
> > > cheaper alternative for some of the rare and over-priced units - they all do
> > > the same job.
> > >
> > > I have a copy of an American VW Technical Bulletin group 87 Number 95-03
> > > titled "A/C system, retrofitting R-12 to R134-A" which covers Vanagon
> > > 1985-1991, containing such priceless information as the oil and refrigerant
> > > capacity. I found it on one of the websites - maybe even this one - but if
> > > anyone can't find it I can scan it for the group.
> > >
> > > It recommends evacuating and thoroughly purging the system with
> > > compressed air followed by nitrogen gas, draining and refilling he
> > > compressor with appropriate oil, replacing the receiver-drier and O rings
> > > and installing the correct R-134A pressure valve adaptors.
> > >
> > > I am not sure if the latter is necessary as it wasn't required on either
> > > of the Range Rovers [one of which had an identical Sanden compressor to that
> > > on my Syncro], and both worked perfectly. They quote kit p/n 357 820 797,
> > > which apparently contains a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve, a
> > > couple of green O rings and a pair of caps. The Bentley manual refers to
> > > using tyre-valve removers to unscrew them, which makes me think they are
> > > different to the valves we use in Oz.
> > >
> > > It is important to use the correct amount of PAG refrigerant oil, which
> > > varies according to the compressor model. Too much or too little can damage
> > > the compressor or detract from cooling performance.
> > >
> > > The Sanden SD 508 and 510 require 100cc (3.3.fluid ozs) and the SD 709
> > > needs 240cc (8 fluid oz). Small amounts of additional oil are added to the
> > > other components such as condensor, evaporator, receiver-drier and hoses
> > > during assembly. This varies according to compressor model. Let me know
> > > which one you have.
> > >
> > > All systems [in the USA] require 1350 g of R-134A refrigerant gas. IT IS
> > > IMPORTANT TO CHECK WHETHER U.S. VEHICLES RUN THE DASHBOARD OR ROOF-MOUNTED
> > > SYSTEM BEFORE ACTING ON THIS INFORMATION. My Bentley manual indicates that
> > > they use the roof-mounted system which means that the forgoing information
> > > is totally useless.
> > >
> > > Does anybody out there know how much gas the Prestige system requires?
> > >
> > > My recommendation is to get the air-con shop to evacuate the old gas
> > > from your system [if it has any!], strip and replace O rings and
> > > receiver-dryer yourself, and get the experts to purge the system, add the
> > > oil, and re-gas it.
> > >
> > > It is essential to keep the receiver-dryer inlet and outlet sealed at
> > > all times to avoid contamination.
> > >
> > > Finally, a label needs to be applied to identify the presence of R-134A
> > > gas. You can get one at the nearest air-con repairer.
> > >
> > > I probably won't get a chance to finish the job until after the New
> > > Year, but will keep you posted.
> > >
> > > Cheers, Roger Mark II [Beetle Bayley].
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>