Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

brimac50 on Wed September 29, 2010 1:20 PM

Year: 1980
Make: Chevy
Model: c-20
Engine Size: 350
Refrigerant Type: R-12
Country of Origin: United States

I'm finishing up rebuilding the complete system on this truck, compressor, accummulator, evaporator, hoses, etc. I'm concerned about the o-ring connections between the condenser and the steel tubing ,... that routes through the radiator support, and into the engine compartment. With the smaller tube,... the raised portion that stops the o-ring, on the male tube, ... will make metal contact with the female connector (on condenser), using a single o-ring, which has not sealed. This connection had previously used 2 stacked o-rings. I've tried several sizes/thicknesses o-rings, for single application, but no success. Question: Is stacking o-rings an acceptable practice? If not any suggestions? I plan on using Mylog on all connections. Thanks

TRB on Wed September 29, 2010 6:34 PM

One o-ring should be all that is needed. I would determine why it is not sealing. Is it a defective condenser, as someone tried to tighten it to tight before.

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iceman2555 on Wed September 29, 2010 10:15 PM

Can remember many of these model years coming into the shop and the fittings had been over tighten during production. If one oring does not seal....not a fan of stacking the oring, but why not search for the same size oring need....except seek one of the 'capture' type orings. Should be the same over all dimension except the oring itself is much thicker.

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Thomas Jefferson

bohica2xo on Thu September 30, 2010 1:24 AM

It is acceptable to stack O rings in a seal if they are supported with one piece backup rings in the center. Not a real common practice however.

If the port is machined too deep to properly engage the O ring, you should try a solid backup ring on each side of the O ring instead of a second ring. This should be enough to cause the seal to crush & expand into the bore to seal between the tube & bore as designed.

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