A/C problem
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Clifton New Jersey
A/C problem
I purchased my 71 350 coupe this spring. My wife said to me if she was going to go in the car during the summer I had to get the air conditioning working. I did that, some electric wiring fixes and a charge the a/c was blowing 46 degrees. 3 months later it started to blow hot again. I went to the a/c shop and the guy put some nitrogen in the system and found a rubber hose had blown out. He said it was a 45 year old hose and for me to order new hoses and change them and come back for a charge. I did change both rubber hoses last week and took the car back today for a charge. When he vacuumed the system down it would not hold vacuume. After an hour of trying to find the leak he found the compressor was leaking from the back on the bottom ( see picture but on the bottom).
My question is does this look like something that can be fixed. The a/c guy said just put a new compressor in. I would like to try and keep the original one if possible.
My question is does this look like something that can be fixed. The a/c guy said just put a new compressor in. I would like to try and keep the original one if possible.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Louisville Kentucky
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Well I'm by no means an A/C expert, but your compressor can be disassembled and be rebuilt. Why not just buy a new or rebuilt unit? You can purchase the Frigidaire decal from all the corvette vendors.
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...j-5-7l-4bl-ohv
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...j-5-7l-4bl-ohv
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 934
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
Well I'm by no means an A/C expert, but your compressor can be disassembled and be rebuilt. Why not just buy a new or rebuilt unit? You can purchase the Frigidaire decal from all the corvette vendors.
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...j-5-7l-4bl-ohv
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...j-5-7l-4bl-ohv
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 78
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From: Clifton New Jersey
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 78
Likes: 5
From: Clifton New Jersey
I have been looking on line and found I can get a new o-ring for the rear of the compressor. I will take it out and see if I can change it. I really don't have anything to loose at this point.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Spartanburg SC
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Is your car truly a 'collector' vehicle? Does it have or want NCRS awards? If not, just get a [properly] rebuilt exchange compressor and be done with it.
BTW--it sounds like your "A/C guy" doesn't do anything but vacuum down and recharge a/c systems. If he doesn't do any A/C repair work, he's not really an "A/C guy". IMO, he should have tested the system properly to start with; and he certainly should have been able to get a replacement compressor and repair your A/C system.
BTW--it sounds like your "A/C guy" doesn't do anything but vacuum down and recharge a/c systems. If he doesn't do any A/C repair work, he's not really an "A/C guy". IMO, he should have tested the system properly to start with; and he certainly should have been able to get a replacement compressor and repair your A/C system.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 1, 2016 at 12:48 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
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Is your car truly a 'collector' vehicle? Does it have or want NCRS awards? If not, just get a [properly] rebuilt exchange compressor and be done with it.
BTW--it sounds like your "A/C guy" doesn't do anything but vacuum down and recharge a/c systems. If he doesn't do any A/C repair work, he's not really an "A/C guy". IMO, he should have tested the system properly to start with; and he certainly should have been able to get a replacement compressor and repair your A/C system.
BTW--it sounds like your "A/C guy" doesn't do anything but vacuum down and recharge a/c systems. If he doesn't do any A/C repair work, he's not really an "A/C guy". IMO, he should have tested the system properly to start with; and he certainly should have been able to get a replacement compressor and repair your A/C system.
I'm with 7t1vette, find a new A/C guy that knows A/C. And good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
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From: Hermosa
If your a/c compressor otherwise functions well I have learned that you are better off fixing it vs buying a replacement do to the variable quality you get in a replacement compressor.
If you are going to take the compressor apart you may want to invest in a seal kit for it and replace the front main seal and other o-rings that may not be far behind that one in failure.
Make sure you replace whatever oil comes out of the compressor when you put it back together, and maybe an ounce or so more just to be sure. Mineral oil for R12, Pag oil for 134a or ester oil if you're not sure.
If you are going to take the compressor apart you may want to invest in a seal kit for it and replace the front main seal and other o-rings that may not be far behind that one in failure.
Make sure you replace whatever oil comes out of the compressor when you put it back together, and maybe an ounce or so more just to be sure. Mineral oil for R12, Pag oil for 134a or ester oil if you're not sure.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Sep 1, 2016 at 12:08 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 78
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From: Clifton New Jersey
If your a/c compressor otherwise functions well I have learned that you are better off fixing it vs buying a replacement do to the variable quality you get in a replacement compressor.
If you are going to take the compressor apart you may want to invest in a seal kit for it and replace the front main seal and other o-rings that may not be far behind that one in failure.
Make sure you replace whatever oil comes out of the compressor when you put it back together, and maybe an ounce or so more just to be sure. Mineral oil for R12, Pag oil for 134a or ester oil if you're not sure.
If you are going to take the compressor apart you may want to invest in a seal kit for it and replace the front main seal and other o-rings that may not be far behind that one in failure.
Make sure you replace whatever oil comes out of the compressor when you put it back together, and maybe an ounce or so more just to be sure. Mineral oil for R12, Pag oil for 134a or ester oil if you're not sure.
If it works out I will have the satisfaction of doing it myself and still have the original part in the car. If not it will have cost me $12 and some time.
When the hose blew out I thought the oil would have come out of the system under pressure. DO you think I will have to replace all of the oil?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,390
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From: Tampa Florida
My car is not a collector or a show car by any means. It is a driver that is mostly original. However I would like to keep it original as much as I can. I have ordered a seal kit for the compressor and will take my time and change everything.
If it works out I will have the satisfaction of doing it myself and still have the original part in the car. If not it will have cost me $12 and some time.
When the hose blew out I thought the oil would have come out of the system under pressure. DO you think I will have to replace all of the oil?
If it works out I will have the satisfaction of doing it myself and still have the original part in the car. If not it will have cost me $12 and some time.
When the hose blew out I thought the oil would have come out of the system under pressure. DO you think I will have to replace all of the oil?
I would drain the old oil out and put in the proper amount for the compressor. When my original compressor locked up, I replaced it with a rebuilt one from NAPA. I saved the old original compressor to give to the new owner if he wants it.
Good luck.
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 78
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From: Clifton New Jersey
Are you still using R12?
I would drain the old oil out and put in the proper amount for the compressor. When my original compressor locked up, I replaced it with a rebuilt one from NAPA. I saved the old original compressor to give to the new owner if he wants it.
Good luck.
I would drain the old oil out and put in the proper amount for the compressor. When my original compressor locked up, I replaced it with a rebuilt one from NAPA. I saved the old original compressor to give to the new owner if he wants it.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
There will be some oil left in the rest of the system, but over half of it will be gone due to removing/rebuilding the compressor. If you knew a real A/C guy, he would be the one to ask. But, I would suggest putting 1/2 to 3/4 of the initial charge amount back in when you recharge it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
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From: Boca Raton Florida
Was me, and since your going to have the thing all apart, I would go ahead and flush the lines, condensor and evaporator. Then add in the full oil load. Being a little up or down I really doubt will cause problems but it can't be off by much.