Someone tell me what this is!

[mpire]

So this is the high side on my air conditioner.

The seal is leaking as you can see in the left side of the photo.

Anyone know what its called or if I can get new seals?

I know the seal on the left is leaking, but do I need to replace whole thing or should I just replace the seal?

Many thanks in advance, its too damned hot to be without air conditioning.

 

[mpire]

1997 Ford Ranger

4 Cylinder.

A/C ran like a top, but now its leaking.

Can I just put in new O-rings?

Thanks!

 

[mpire]

OK, so now I know its the A/C compressor high side discharge hose.

And that its $80. I got no problem buying a new one, but that doesn't solve the problem if its just the joint that is leaking. Can I just slap in some new O-rings or what?

 

[88_Eddie]

i'd find the leak first, make sure that's where it's coming from. they have kits at most auto parts stores. on the other, hand, orings are cheap, so you could just start replacing if you wanted/had the time

 

[kcm1582]

I would recharge the system and include some uv dye to make sure that is the only place leaking. You should be able to get new seals if that's whats leaking but it pays to be sure.

 

[mpire]

I need to clarify my question then.

In the photo I post, on the left side there is a union between the high side discharge hose and whatever that goes to.

Its in the sunlight, but basically that is what is leaking. No question at all. I have tested it and verified that is the leak. It looks kind of wet in the picture.

(Also the high side valve is leaking too, but I have another one of those ready to install, but I have to empty the system first. The cap o-ring has been keeping the refrigerant in the system pretty well though.

I am trying to figure out what parts I need to replace that. I can replace the whole hose, or I can just replace the O-ring under that slip on clamp thing. I really don't know what I need to replace.

However, it is where the two pipes meet, and then that metal clamp slips on over the union. I don't know what is in there, and I would rather not have to replace more than necessary.

Is it just a regular green A/C O-ring?

If I have to order a part, I don't want the system sitting open while I wait for it to arrive.

 

[exbass94]

That's just where the hose attaches to the condenser. There will be one or two O-rings on the hose when you disconnect it. That square-shaped thing on it just slides right off. Then you use an AC line tool to disconnect the hose from the condenser.

 

[kcm1582]

I need to clarify my question then.

In the photo I post, on the left side there is a union between the high side discharge hose and whatever that goes to.

Its in the sunlight, but basically that is what is leaking. No question at all. I have tested it and verified that is the leak. It looks kind of wet in the picture.

(Also the high side valve is leaking too, but I have another one of those ready to install, but I have to empty the system first. The cap o-ring has been keeping the refrigerant in the system pretty well though.

I am trying to figure out what parts I need to replace that. I can replace the whole hose, or I can just replace the O-ring under that slip on clamp thing. I really don't know what I need to replace.

However, it is where the two pipes meet, and then that metal clamp slips on over the union. I don't know what is in there, and I would rather not have to replace more than necessary.

Is it just a regular green A/C O-ring?

If I have to order a part, I don't want the system sitting open while I wait for it to arrive.

Yes there is just an o-ring in there and chances are that it dried out and cracked. I'm just saying that you should be sure that it is the only one leaking. Trying to find other leaks one at a time can drive you nuts, its best to be sure you fix them all at once.

 

[mpire]

Well, I have had no success in finding a replacement valve for the high side.

Apparently the kit I have doesn't include it.

It appears to be the whole unit, and the valve does not appear to be replaceable.

I have a dozen or so different kinds of valves, and none of them appear to be working.

However, on top of that, I also must have a nice big leak elsewhere because I can not even begin to pull a vacuum on the system.

Also, there appears to be a great deal of flourscent oil below the compressor. Can the compressor itself blow a leak?

 

[exbass94]

The compressor can leak at the front, behind the clutch, right where the shaft comes out. It can also leak on the back where the hose assembly connects to it.

 

[mpire]

The compressor doesn't appear to be leaking from the front. I am thinking its leaking right in the middle, which is probably a bad thing.

I did find the port that I needed.

Primary Seal.

The guy over there was very helpful and full of information!

http://www.acsource.com/r-134aprimarysealforford59946a.aspx

 

[mpire]

So I found the port at NAPA, installed that and attempted to pull a vacuum.

No go. I can hear the air sucking in through the front of the compressor right behind the clutch.

So now I have to decide if I want to replace the seals in the compressor myself, or if I want to just get another one. I am trying to decide what to do.

I picked up a new orifice tube and a new dryer/accumulator from NAPA for the time when I decide to charge it back up.

I wonder if a rebuilt compressor will last.

 

[exbass94]

I've heard nothing but bad things about reman compressors. I would get either a brand new (NOT reman) or a junkyard compressor.

 

[mpire]

I ended up buying a new compressor at NAPA.

1 year warranty. I also got some oil and an accumulator.

I broke the accumulator.

Clearly it was rather thin stuff. It started to cross thread and then I couldn't get it off. The nut on the accumulator started stripping and it just got worse from there.

So I got another accumulator at Autozone and hooked it up.

If anyone wants to buy a dirt cheap accumulator with a slightly damaged line, let me know.

I replaced every one of the o-rings in the system, so I think I am good to go there. I vacuumed it down and let it sit with the old accumulator before cracking open the new one.

So now I have it all hooked up and vacuumed down for 30+ minutes.

If it still has a vacuum tomorrow morning, I will vacuum it down again for good measure and then recharge it.

 

[mpire]

Another quick update.

Everything stayed sealed up overnight, so I think its good to go.

I vacuumed it another 30 minutes just to be sure.

Recharged the system with approximately 23 oz of 134a.

The sticker on the truck says to add 1 lb 9 oz or 25 oz of refrigerant.

NAPA online says to add 22 oz of refrigerant.

So either I am an oz over or two oz low.

The vents are blowing at 50 degrees at idle.

Ambient temperature is over 90 degrees.

That gives me a delta of 40 degrees of cooling.

I think that is pretty good, although last fall it was blowing in the 30s, but it was also a much cooler day.

So how cold does your AC blow in the heat of summer?