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[C2] A/C issues

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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 04:32 AM
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Default A/C issues

Yesterday we had a relatively hot day over here and I took the '64 down-town looking forward to the benefits of my recently charged a/c. Although as some of you might have read it's not working as well as it should.

While driving there was a strange noise somewhere on the passenger side. Sort of hissing, sucking. Not constant. On for a while, then off again and returning. And so on. Is that normal for the a/c system?

Unfortunately after a while a much worse, loud screeching noise occured. Sounded like a belt. Would dissapear depending on the RPMs. The belt looks rather new. Has it to do with the tension of the belt? When I turn of the a/c it stops.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by swissie
Yesterday we had a relatively hot day over here and I took the '64 down-town looking forward to the benefits of my recently charged a/c. Although as some of you might have read it's not working as well as it should.

While driving there was a strange noise somewhere on the passenger side. Sort of hissing, sucking. Not constant. On for a while, then off again and returning. And so on. Is that normal for the a/c system?

Unfortunately after a while a much worse, loud screeching noise occured. Sounded like a belt. Would dissapear depending on the RPMs. The belt looks rather new. Has it to do with the tension of the belt? When I turn of the a/c it stops.
AC systems cannot be properly diagnosed by a description of noises and poor performance. Too many things can cause them, over oiled, over charged, under charged, and so forth. To get to the bottom of it a gauge set must be put on and system pressures observed.
The high side pressure should be roughly 2.5 X ambient temperature in front of the condenser, the low side between 25 and 35. Swirling noises can sometimes be heard in an evaporator as the TX valve meters refrigerant, but I wouldn't go by noises, go by pressure readings.

Dan
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 09:06 AM
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Is your a/c belt tight? Just open the hood and see if your belt is slipping. It should be obvious. Are you using the original compressor with the factory a/c setup or is it after market?
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 09:58 AM
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This will not help you on your A/C, but great to see a Swiss member. My paternal grandparents were from Kussnacht and Kerns, and we still have family there.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by TR54
This will not help you on your A/C, but great to see a Swiss member. My paternal grandparents were from Kussnacht and Kerns, and we still have family there.
A really lovely area. A bit difficult to visit your relatives these days...
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by jprop
Is your a/c belt tight? Just open the hood and see if your belt is slipping. It should be obvious. Are you using the original compressor with the factory a/c setup or is it after market?
Pulling as hard as I can by hand doesn't move the belt at all. So to me it seems to be tight. It's the original system.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by dplotkin
To get to the bottom of it a gauge set must be put on and system pressures observed.
Dan
I see. So a trip back to the shop where the system got charged will be next.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 11:15 AM
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Are you using R 12 or R 134? The STV valve is set at about @ 28 Lbs psi using R 12. R134 requires a lower setting to run efficiently.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 11:33 AM
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It's R437a. Which is supposed to be a direct replacement for R12, I.e. the system gets charged with the same weight of refigerant.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 11:51 AM
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R437 is a blend of , R125 & R600 and R134 with a majority of it R134. If you can still get R12 in Switzerland I would recommend you use it.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 12:10 PM
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No way! R12 is illegal over here.
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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by swissie
Yesterday we had a relatively hot day over here and I took the '64 down-town looking forward to the benefits of my recently charged a/c. Although as some of you might have read it's not working as well as it should.

While driving there was a strange noise somewhere on the passenger side. Sort of hissing, sucking. Not constant. On for a while, then off again and returning. And so on. Is that normal for the a/c system?

Unfortunately after a while a much worse, loud screeching noise occured. Sounded like a belt. Would dissapear depending on the RPMs. The belt looks rather new. Has it to do with the tension of the belt? When I turn of the a/c it stops.
This symptom is a classic symptom of a loose belt. Tighten the belt so that it deflects 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) in the middle when you press on it with normal finger pressure. Problem solved!



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Old Jul 2, 2020 | 01:53 PM
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Default Factory AC Belt Screech

First - I don't claim to be a resident expert on factory AC - there are many others that have that title ... that said I do have a factory Corvette AC car and am always learning. What I understand is:

Belt screeching may be an indication of a bigger problem .. possible over oil or over gas. On a factory A6 The belt should have 3/4" up and 3/4 " down or the seal may be damaged and leak. The pulley cannot be tightened past the limits as it only has one bearing and will wobble with an over tightened belt and cause the grease to turn to oil from the heat and cause the two independent seal halves to slide from side to side. Those are probable causes. System oil added to the compressor can also do this.


Hope this helps and that others far more knowledgeable then me chime in here.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by LouieM
This symptom is a classic symptom of a loose belt. Tighten the belt so that it deflects 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) in the middle when you press on it with normal finger pressure. Problem solved!
Thanks! There was at least twice the deflection you mention. So after thightening the belt the screeching was gone.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 09:50 AM
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Sounds like the system is overcharged (with the belt squealing). It hard to diagnose, when you don't know the head pressures.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 09:50 AM
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Default A/C hoses - press fit necessary?

Back at the shop the owner says that with these old-style clamp hoses the system will leak for sure and that I need to replace them with press fit ones.
What do you guys think? My hoses look fairly new.

Unfortunately the compressor seal is leaking. So I need to adress that anyway.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by swissie
Thanks! There was at least twice the deflection you mention. So after thightening the belt the screeching was gone.
Glad to hear that the problem was fixed. Thanks for reporting back and letting us know what worked.
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 01:42 PM
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Just some advice, if the freon is overcharge can cause problems with the high side if the system get's too hot. This could result in a big green spray of green die on the the passenger's firewall from the compressor's relief valve on the back. Also, take a white cloth and try wiping down the pulley or above inside hood to see if you find any die. This could be the start of a leaking seal for the pulley. I also added two 8" electric push fans in front of the condenser as another precaution. It's pretty to add by tapping on to the wire going to the compressor pulley clutch as a negative relay trigger.
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