My turn, need the wizards
Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:48 pm
BACKGROUND:We retrofit AC to vintage vehicles here, almost always using the same exact components, with excellent results. Have fitted about 8 cars.We also work on modern cars with faulty AC and fix whatever is needed, with good results. I also do residential.
CURRENT problem:1959 Cadillac.This car never had AC. So we have fitted the usual generic components as we have done many times.Thus, the make, model, year of the car is immaterial. Initially we used an A6 knockoff, known as an S6 for compressor since that is what Old Air suggested. We have had miserable luck with that unit. They lock up after 100 miles and are junk. I believe one reason they lock up is that no matter what we do, we cannot get the low side over 15 psi, which I believe means inadequate oil return
NEW COMPONENTS TODAY:
Comp changed to Sanden 508 knockoff (Japanese, from Tim). No more S6s here.
Cond 14x 24 from Omega (largest that will fit)
Drier from UAC
Evap equiv. to Old Air products # IP-300L-CF
TXV 1.5 Ton from Ranshu
Premium PAG from Tim
Condenser installed with air dams
Evap and hoses have been flushed with a pressure gun (100 psi) connected to my shop air (we paint cars here so need a clean/dry air supply. We use a refrigerated unit ( commercial dryer) to wring the moisture from the compressed air. Flush agent is naphtha. Ran 2 gallons thru hoses and evap until evap was clean, then shop air til dry. That naphtha dries out quickly and leaves no residue. We use it in painting cars all the time. Last flush revealed clear naptha with no metal particles.
Comp, cond, and drier are brand new.
SPECIFICATIONS TODAY:
Vacuumed to 1800 x 3 and did a triple evac each time
Because this is a custom setup, we do not have a known weight of 134 and thus meter it in the old fashioned way.
Ambient 90 Humidity 50% (North Texas)
Low 15
High 230 (I went a bit higher here than I wanted to to try to bring up the low side, to no avail)
Vent 32
RPM 1800
This was a Full load test all windows down, no recirc
It can't be the TXV, I have replaced it 3 times with the same results.
No matter what we do or change, we CANNOT GET THE LOW SIDE OVER 15 PSI
I consulted with an established local industry expert who does field work for Omega, and has a traveling van he takes from dealer to dealer etc. He is quite sharp.and experienced.He is stumped, and I am stumped.
Any takers? Thanks
CURRENT problem:1959 Cadillac.This car never had AC. So we have fitted the usual generic components as we have done many times.Thus, the make, model, year of the car is immaterial. Initially we used an A6 knockoff, known as an S6 for compressor since that is what Old Air suggested. We have had miserable luck with that unit. They lock up after 100 miles and are junk. I believe one reason they lock up is that no matter what we do, we cannot get the low side over 15 psi, which I believe means inadequate oil return
NEW COMPONENTS TODAY:
Comp changed to Sanden 508 knockoff (Japanese, from Tim). No more S6s here.
Cond 14x 24 from Omega (largest that will fit)
Drier from UAC
Evap equiv. to Old Air products # IP-300L-CF
TXV 1.5 Ton from Ranshu
Premium PAG from Tim
Condenser installed with air dams
Evap and hoses have been flushed with a pressure gun (100 psi) connected to my shop air (we paint cars here so need a clean/dry air supply. We use a refrigerated unit ( commercial dryer) to wring the moisture from the compressed air. Flush agent is naphtha. Ran 2 gallons thru hoses and evap until evap was clean, then shop air til dry. That naphtha dries out quickly and leaves no residue. We use it in painting cars all the time. Last flush revealed clear naptha with no metal particles.
Comp, cond, and drier are brand new.
SPECIFICATIONS TODAY:
Vacuumed to 1800 x 3 and did a triple evac each time
Because this is a custom setup, we do not have a known weight of 134 and thus meter it in the old fashioned way.
Ambient 90 Humidity 50% (North Texas)
Low 15
High 230 (I went a bit higher here than I wanted to to try to bring up the low side, to no avail)
Vent 32
RPM 1800
This was a Full load test all windows down, no recirc
It can't be the TXV, I have replaced it 3 times with the same results.
No matter what we do or change, we CANNOT GET THE LOW SIDE OVER 15 PSI
I consulted with an established local industry expert who does field work for Omega, and has a traveling van he takes from dealer to dealer etc. He is quite sharp.and experienced.He is stumped, and I am stumped.
Any takers? Thanks