Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C
My 1975 Vett not blowing cold air, so I decided to charge the system with Freeze 12. Before charging it I hooked a gauge at the high side so I can watch the pressure. First I added 2oz of R12 oil, then I started charging with Freeze 12 freon and watching the high side pressure reads 130-145psi after the first can. Still the air not cold enough, but its cooler than before. I check the low side pressure read 10-20psi, so I decided to add second can of Freeze 12 freon. While charging on the second can I heard a loud POPPPPP so I new something blew-up, I turn the engine off shut off the charging valve and start looking where it blew-up. The hose coming from the compressor going toward the radiator blew-up, the oil is all over the engine.
Is anybody now why this happened?
Is anybody now why this happened?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C (bluebelVETTE)
Not that bad at all. Coulda been MUCH worse. Remember that Freeze12 is highly flammable stuff. (What is it...butane and something else?) You're lucky it didn't ignite. And that's also why it's only sold as an aftermarket "solution"!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C (bluebelVETTE)
AC hoses are rated at, I believe, 600 PSI, so for it to blow at less than 200 it was faulty. Unless someone replaced it it is 30 years old and that is definetely enough time for the rubber to dry out, crack and rot. Usually they look ok from the outside but are rotted away on the inside.
Take the hose assembly to an AC shop and they can install new hoses while keeping your hardware. Replace ALL hoses...
Take the hose assembly to an AC shop and they can install new hoses while keeping your hardware. Replace ALL hoses...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C (page62)
Not that bad at all. Coulda been MUCH worse. Remember that Freeze12 is highly flammable stuff. (What is it...butane and something else?) You're lucky it didn't ignite. And that's also why it's only sold as an aftermarket "solution"!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 881
Likes: 1
From: Hernando MS
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Terrible thing happened while charging my A/C (bluebelVETTE)
Do NOT Use FREEZE 12 at all !!! and especially in a VIR System (`74-77)
The VIR valve is non adjustable and is made for R-12 specifications.
The VIR valve is non adjustable and is made for R-12 specifications.
