A6 Compressor: Safety valve reset?
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From: Plano TX
A6 Compressor: Safety valve reset?
I miswired my electric fans and they didn't run with the AC on. The lack of airflow overheated the condenser and the high pressure safety valve on the A6 compressor blew. It let all the refrigerant out. I pulled a vacuum on it and it held the vacuum. Problem is that as soon as I try adding refrigerent it leaks out. It doesn't even hold 10 PSI.
So my question is: Are the safety valves reusable or do they need to be replaced after they pop? If they are reusable, how do I reset it so it seals again?
So my question is: Are the safety valves reusable or do they need to be replaced after they pop? If they are reusable, how do I reset it so it seals again?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: NorCal
It should reset, but I have run into the same problem about 30% of the time. I haven't had to buy one in a while, but the were availabe from my local A/C supplier (Hal's Auto Air in Sacramento) last time I checked.
Hans
Hans
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Sorry but I had to laugh because I did the EXACT SAME THING myself just last week when I put the elect fans on my car. My valve didn't stick though, but it did leave a mess on the right side of the motor when it popped. :o
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From: Plano TX
Thanks, Hans. I checked my local parts store and they will have one for me at 2PM. $17.
BTW, do you know how many valves the A6 has? I see references to "low side" and high side" relief valves. Looking at the back of the compressor I see one valve screwed into the back to the left of the low side port. This one does not seem to be leaking. Then there's something that looks different (held by a snap ring) underneath the hose block on the high side.
The parts house only had one listing for the valve but I'm wondering if it's the right one.
Paul: Embarrasing, ain't it.
And quite scary when it pops!
BTW, do you know how many valves the A6 has? I see references to "low side" and high side" relief valves. Looking at the back of the compressor I see one valve screwed into the back to the left of the low side port. This one does not seem to be leaking. Then there's something that looks different (held by a snap ring) underneath the hose block on the high side.
The parts house only had one listing for the valve but I'm wondering if it's the right one.
Paul: Embarrasing, ain't it.
And quite scary when it pops!
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by zwede
The parts house only had one listing for the valve but I'm wondering if it's the right one.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by zwede
Thanks, Hans. I checked my local parts store and they will have one for me at 2PM. $17.
BTW, do you know how many valves the A6 has?
I have seen them with two, not sure why, but I assume it's high and low.
I see references to "low side" and high side" relief valves. Looking at the back of the compressor I see one valve screwed into the back to the left of the low side port. This one does not seem to be leaking. Then there's something that looks different (held by a snap ring) underneath the hose block on the high side.
There will either be a plug, or a ground interrupt, single pole, overheat switch to kill the compressor clutch if the temps get to high on the real late A-6 models
The parts house only had one listing for the valve but I'm wondering if it's the right one.
the heat switch is not available as far as I know. I'd guess the pressure switch is right.
Paul: Embarrasing, ain't it. And quite scary when it pops!
BTW, do you know how many valves the A6 has?
I have seen them with two, not sure why, but I assume it's high and low.
I see references to "low side" and high side" relief valves. Looking at the back of the compressor I see one valve screwed into the back to the left of the low side port. This one does not seem to be leaking. Then there's something that looks different (held by a snap ring) underneath the hose block on the high side.
There will either be a plug, or a ground interrupt, single pole, overheat switch to kill the compressor clutch if the temps get to high on the real late A-6 models
The parts house only had one listing for the valve but I'm wondering if it's the right one.
the heat switch is not available as far as I know. I'd guess the pressure switch is right.
Paul: Embarrasing, ain't it.
And quite scary when it pops!Hans
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From: Jacksonville FL
Zwede,
i saw on your web page how you converted your car over to r-134a. you didn't mention anything about an electric fan there. was this something you added later to try to get better cooling out of the system? did it have much of an effect?
i am in the process of doing the same to my own vette. how much of an effect did the fan have and how did you get it mounted in front of the condenser? it's kind of tight up there.
i saw on your web page how you converted your car over to r-134a. you didn't mention anything about an electric fan there. was this something you added later to try to get better cooling out of the system? did it have much of an effect?
i am in the process of doing the same to my own vette. how much of an effect did the fan have and how did you get it mounted in front of the condenser? it's kind of tight up there.
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Thread Starter
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From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by mdj21
Zwede,
i saw on your web page how you converted your car over to r-134a. you didn't mention anything about an electric fan there. was this something you added later to try to get better cooling out of the system? did it have much of an effect?
i am in the process of doing the same to my own vette. how much of an effect did the fan have and how did you get it mounted in front of the condenser? it's kind of tight up there.
i saw on your web page how you converted your car over to r-134a. you didn't mention anything about an electric fan there. was this something you added later to try to get better cooling out of the system? did it have much of an effect?
i am in the process of doing the same to my own vette. how much of an effect did the fan have and how did you get it mounted in front of the condenser? it's kind of tight up there.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Plano TX
Update: Turns out the relief valve was innocent in this. The hissing sounded like it came from the rear of the compressor but I finally traced it to a bursted hose. I think this particular hose is very old (the others are much newer). I figure it was probably only a matter of time before it would have failed anyway. Tomorrow morning I'll run over to an AC shop that will replace it while re-using the fittings and I should be good to go.
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Nick says you ain't going...but I don't give up easily!!
C'mon...let's go!
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