AC questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
AC questions
1969 Corvette L46 coupe with AC
I have owned my Vette since new.. However the AC system quit working. I took it to a shop and they reloaded it with Freon (the original coolant) and it worked for a day or so then the compressor (the original compressor) quit working.
I would like to keep the car as original as practical.
What would be the recommendations here. Should I purchase a rebuilt compressor compatable with the newer R134a coolant? Or should I have someone rebuild my original compressor?
What would be the suggestions here. I'm not sure I want to go with the original coolant although it would probably cool better than the R134a.
Is there such a thing as brand new A6 compressors compatable with R134a?
I would appreciate your opinions/input.
Thanks.. BIbb
I have owned my Vette since new.. However the AC system quit working. I took it to a shop and they reloaded it with Freon (the original coolant) and it worked for a day or so then the compressor (the original compressor) quit working.
I would like to keep the car as original as practical.
What would be the recommendations here. Should I purchase a rebuilt compressor compatable with the newer R134a coolant? Or should I have someone rebuild my original compressor?
What would be the suggestions here. I'm not sure I want to go with the original coolant although it would probably cool better than the R134a.
Is there such a thing as brand new A6 compressors compatable with R134a?
I would appreciate your opinions/input.
Thanks.. BIbb
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Are you sure the compressor is not operating. See if the hub clutch (very front with rubber) turns with engine running and A/C on. If so it's most likely not the compressor, but low on freon. If it does not turn there may be a pressure switch that cuts off the power to the clutch if freon is low. Sounds like your switches to turn the system on worked.The compressors are well built and do not break. They will sling oil at the clutch when in need of overhaul. Now with engine off, see if you can turn that very front (with rubber) hub clutch by hand. It will not turn easy but see if it turns. If it does then compressor should be good and again low on freon.
All that done then you need to work on the system and check for leaks. I don't remember when the low freon switch was installed but there is someone here that does.
Dom
All that done then you need to work on the system and check for leaks. I don't remember when the low freon switch was installed but there is someone here that does.
Dom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
ballen06
My 1969 a/c system does not have a low pressure switch that I can find. Pretty sure it does not have one.
Your accumulator should have a sight glass on top. With engine running have someone turn on the a/c while you watch the sight glass. There should be a rush of bubbles followed by clearing of bubbles if you have a decent amount of R12 in the system. I bet your compressor is fine, just needs resealing including a new shaft seal. (not difficult) Maybe new expansion valve, too.
VS
My 1969 a/c system does not have a low pressure switch that I can find. Pretty sure it does not have one.
Your accumulator should have a sight glass on top. With engine running have someone turn on the a/c while you watch the sight glass. There should be a rush of bubbles followed by clearing of bubbles if you have a decent amount of R12 in the system. I bet your compressor is fine, just needs resealing including a new shaft seal. (not difficult) Maybe new expansion valve, too.
VS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
Forgot to mention Old Air sells a new version of the A6. It reportedly works well and is compatible with R12 and 134a. Probably comes with PAG oil in it so would need to flush that out if sticking with R12. I would buy one if my original A6 ever fails (and stick with R12.)
BTW- Dom is a very wise A/C man.
VS
BTW- Dom is a very wise A/C man.
VS
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
morning
I am certain you have a sight glass. It sits on top of the accumulator. It is easily observed by opening your hood and looking down by the passenger side in front of the headlight. You will see a small refrigerant line going into the top of the accumulator and another coming out. The round glass in between is the sight glass.
VS
I am certain you have a sight glass. It sits on top of the accumulator. It is easily observed by opening your hood and looking down by the passenger side in front of the headlight. You will see a small refrigerant line going into the top of the accumulator and another coming out. The round glass in between is the sight glass.
VS
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Since it leaked out within a day, the leak won't be hard to find. If you're in a quiet garage and have good hearing, you'd probably hear it hissing. Any decent shop would pressurize the system with dry nitrogen and a trace amount of refrigerant and then go over it with an electronic detector. My best detector can locate a leak that loses 1/10 of an ounce over a year's time.
Common area is the compressor seal, you may even see oil behind the pulley. The rubber hose set on my '75 became very porous after 35 years. Fortunately there was an AC Delco replacement being made again around 2010 and it was very cheap, about $100.
After 51 years, any rubber hoses and seals should be replaced on your system.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 689
Likes: 169
From: Palm Bay Florida
I did run the sight glass test with my wife. She didn't see anything.
I'm really not sure what is going on .
I'm going to have to let someone who knows what the hell he is doing take a look at my system.\
Thanks to everyone for you help.
I'm really not sure what is going on .
I'm going to have to let someone who knows what the hell he is doing take a look at my system.\
Thanks to everyone for you help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
If you are sure your compressor is kicking on and the sight glass shows no bubbles I would say your system is empty. Dont run the compressor with an empty system.
I would do as vairexpert suggests and take it back to the guy that charged you $575!!!!
I would do as vairexpert suggests and take it back to the guy that charged you $575!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Take your car to a shop that is reputable and skilled in auto A/C work. If you don't know any shops like that, ask around at the next local car show. The shop name that comes up most often is the place to go.
Another alternative is to convert your present system over to 134a and a new Sanden compressor. ClassicAutoAir has Corvette-specific kits for each model year and engine combo. Total cost is not much more than what you paid for just filling with R-12. Cans of 134a are about $5 at Wal-Mart. Something to think about for the 'long-haul'.
Another alternative is to convert your present system over to 134a and a new Sanden compressor. ClassicAutoAir has Corvette-specific kits for each model year and engine combo. Total cost is not much more than what you paid for just filling with R-12. Cans of 134a are about $5 at Wal-Mart. Something to think about for the 'long-haul'.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 29, 2020 at 01:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 2,468
From: Indiana
If you are not diy...and you are going to pay someone else...
find someone who is reputable and offers warranty...
R12 diy craigslist ebay is less than 100 bucks diy..and thats being conservative...
take it back first...
if you are doing any diy get gauges...and read pressures
find someone who is reputable and offers warranty...
R12 diy craigslist ebay is less than 100 bucks diy..and thats being conservative...
take it back first...
if you are doing any diy get gauges...and read pressures
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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I live in Pinellas County.
Marshal