AC Condenser Repair

[lstilts]

Someone had replaced the compressor in this unit. The stubs on the new compressor were in different positions than the original compressor, so they "stretched" the copper discharge line. This never works for very long. The stressed copper leaked where it went through the condenser support. I brazed in a 6" piece of tubing to take the stress off the line, cut the bent section with the crack, swagged the line reconnected the line, brazed all joints, pressure tested, pulled vacuum, & recharged. The tech before me told the customer it was "unrepairable". I repair a lot of equipment that has been deemed "unrepairable"!

[Oldiron2]

Maybe not as 'pretty' as when new, but if it works...

Is that an old R-22 system?

[lstilts]

No, not pretty, but it's cool, held 300 psi for 20 mins. Yes it is a 12 y/o R-22 system. The last 30# drum I bought last week cost over $ 400.00 the phase out is taking it's toll. You don't just shoot a little in anymore for a few bucks. I went into business in 1990 at that time I could buy a 30# drum for $ 30.00 .

[Dualie]

I been trying to find someone with R-12 laying around. NOTHING.

[Steelwill]

Originally Posted by Dualie

I been trying to find someone with R-12 laying around. NOTHING.

I think I still have one 12oz can
laying around

[lstilts]

Dualie, what are you using, that you need R-12?

[Dualie]

Old cars. No matter what they tell you or want you to believe the R-134 conversions don't blow as cold as the R-12 systems.

Mainly i want it for my 83 Mercedes 300SD. The one thing the Germans never thought you would need to fiddle with is the AC evaporator its buried in the dash so deep you actually have to pull the dash and the windshield to get at it. I don't want to gimmick around with it anyway that i don't have to.

want to sell that R-12?

[lstilts]

I have retrofit-ed several cars & trucks with R-134-A , you shouldn't have to alter anything to do it. There's plenty of R-12 still out there to be had, that is if you really want to pay the price for it.

[boatbuoy]

lots of r12 on fleabay.

[bigb]

Originally Posted by Dualie

Old cars. No matter what they tell you or want you to believe the R-134 conversions don't blow as cold as the R-12 systems.

Mainly i want it for my 83 Mercedes 300SD. The one thing the Germans never thought you would need to fiddle with is the AC evaporator its buried in the dash so deep you actually have to pull the dash and the windshield to get at it. I don't want to gimmick around with it anyway that i don't have to.

want to sell that R-12?

I still have a few 12 oz cans out nof the 3 cases I bought in 1988 for .99 per can on closeout at Pep Boys. I still have a 1987 Mercedes 300D that uses it. Thinking on getting rid of the old girl though, needs a lot of work. It does still run great and my wife still drives it to work every day.

[Birdwell4]

There's a pawn shop by me selling a half full jug of 12 for about $250
I'm tempted to buy it.
Nice repair. I've done that a few times myself. Nothing like fixing the unfixable. As far as pretty goes, well pretty costs double.

[Birdwell4]

Oh and just for reference, r-22 is still one of the most common refrigerants around. Most manufacturers are getting around the phase out by simply selling the units " dry" as in no refrigerant charge, then the field tech puts the 22 in them. $400 for a thirty? That bites. We get it by the pallet and are paying about $300.

[lstilts]

Yes it does bite, enough that I am moving on to MO99 as a replacement, it runs around $250.00 per 30# drum, & will hopefully start going down in price instead going up like R-22. One thing is for sure, none of it is ever going to be as cheap as R-22 used to be.

[lstilts]

I was looking at this as a replacement, that is until I did a little research & found out it is Liquified Petroleum. Note in the description he is very careful, NOT to tell the buyer this!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Substitute-R...26844925972444

[Dualie]

Originally Posted by lstilts

I have retrofit-ed several cars & trucks with R-134-A , you shouldn't have to alter anything to do it. There's plenty of R-12 still out there to be had, that is if you really want to pay the price for it.

You don't have to REALLY alter anything for it but you should. The smaller 134 molecule permiates through the older hoses meant for R-12 at a faster rate than the original R-12 would. It runs at a higher operating pressures than the original R-12 would have.

And Honestly i don't think it cools as well as systems designed for r-12 that actually run on R12

I really cant complain i bought the old benz with 81,000 original miles on it about this time last year for $400. It sat for 7 years after the owner with Alzheimer's drove it to town and lost the key and had to have it towed back home. Needed 4 new tires and light maintenance and a VERY THROUGH cleaning. Its my economy car.

[weldermike]

Welded a condensor line for a guy at work yesterday, What are the chances I could'nt find a dime. Buddy of mine built a 383 stroker for one of his cars, and hooking up A/C to it.