Doing this very same thing on my Corrado. I decided to convert to R134. So far I've replaced those items which are notorious for failure-- the Receiver/Dryer, the High Pressure switch, all of the O-rings, and the Expansion Valve. Compared to my Golf MK2, the Corrado engine bay is very tight. I have to literally disassemble so many other systems just to gain access to the fittings and hoses. I've been able to pull a vacuum for over an hour and it does not leak down. However, I've been unable to add oil or refrigerant. It appears too easy to pull a full vacuum and I suspect I'm only evacuating a portion of the entire system. There may be a blockage somewhere in the system.
I have another compressor so I'm going to replace it. Since I have to remove everything up front to gain access to it, I might as well replace the evaporator as well. It's going to be a hot summer! -Les On Aug 18, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Chad Rebuck wrote: > Today I replaced the expansion valve and receiver/drier. The ac expansion > block was the only area showing significant signs of the dye, so I hope the > r12 stays in the system. I did recover the remaining r12, which was really > only enough to slightly cool the car at night. Using the vacuum pump we > pulled a vacuum of 30 for an hour then filled up the system. > > Next tasks for my car: > > - replace brake master cylinder > - install track pads and new front rotors > - headliner replacement > - fix power locks - none are working > > Larry, whats on your list? :) > > > On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 12:04 AM, Les Noriel <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I too am doing this on my Corrado. I am replacing the expansion valve and >> all of the green O=rings as well as the reciever dryer. All of these >> obtainable and inexpensive from partsgeek. I decided to also replace the >> high pressure switch. All of these arrived yesterday along with my vacuum >> pump >> >> Les >> On Jun 16, 2012 7:44 PM, "Galen Bergthold" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> That should be the AC expansion valve block. The 4 AC o-rings on this are >>> replaceable. Might also consider a new Receiver/Drier if refilling the AC >>> system. >>> GB >>> >>>> Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:04:14 -0400 >>>> From: [email protected] >>>> To: [email protected]; [email protected] >>>> Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Rebuilt ac compressor >>>> >>>> I injected some dye and oil a couple weeks ago. The compressor has a >>> very >>>> slight amount of dye coming from a spot toward the pulley, but it >> doesn't >>>> appear to be leaking where I suspected. However, the system does have >> a >>>> pretty good leak coming from the connection block near the firewall >>>> passenger side. 3 of the 4 connections had strong signs of dye. Are >>> those >>>> 4 connections just sealed with o-rings? >>>> >>>> On Thursday, May 24, 2012, Chad Rebuck wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks for the discussion guys. >>>>> >>>>> I know the compressor functions perfectly I just suspect it is >> leaking >>>>> around the shaft. I'll inject some dye along with the r12 freon this >>>>> weekend and see if I can confirm the leaks. My dad purchased a r12 >>> tank a >>>>> long time ago and my 90 gli is the only car still on r12. We do >> have a >>>>> vacuum pump too since we do work on ac systems now and then. >>>>> >>>>> I was really not looking forward to removing everything needed to >> reach >>>>> the evaporator and expansion valve connections to replace o-rings :( >>> maybe >>>>> it is easier than I'm thinking. I can't remember if I've ever had >> the >>>>> heater/ac coil box out of this car before. >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, May 24, 2012 at 11:34 AM, Matthew Yip <[email protected]> >> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Compressors rarely fail - think of them like a coil, either they work >>> or >>>>> they don't. Some of the newer compressor have dainty electrical >>> connectors >>>>> that render them useless (which is both expensive and frustrating) >> but >>>>> that's another matter. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> One of my buddies purchased a Harbor Freight vacuum pump to perform >> a/c >>>>> work. I haven't used it yet but from what I'm told, it really >> sucks... >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> ________________________________ >>>>>> From: Charlie Russo <[email protected]> >>>>>> To: Volkswagen a2 16v discussion list <[email protected]> >>>>>> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 8:07 AM >>>>>> Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Rebuilt ac compressor >>>>>> >>>>>> I agree with others here. Unless you have CONCRETE, ABSOLUTE, proof >>> that >>>>> the >>>>>> compressor is the source of your problem, checking the ENTIRE system >>> for >>>>>> leaks is the way to proceed. >>>>>> Also agree with Matthew that should a compressor purchase be >> necessary >>>>> stay >>>>>> away from auction sites & craigslist for this part unless you like >>>>> gambling >>>>>> that the used/rebuilt part will actually work. >>>>>> >>>>>> The A/C system in my 1985 Golf Daily Driver leaks some. (original >>>>> compressor >>>>>> BTW). When it gets to the point where it does not cool as well I >> just >>> add >>>>>> some freon once a year or so. Just not enough time to trouble shoot >>> and >>>>> find >>>>>> the source of the leak. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: Matthew Yip >>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 10:54 PM >>>>>> To: Volkswagen a2 16v discussion list >>>>>> Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Rebuilt ac compressor >>>>>> >>>>>> I wouldn't buy a rebuilt compressor from Fleabay - too many risks >> that >>>>>> you'll end up with a lump of aluminum. That said, buying from >>> Rockauto or >>>>>> similar would be a safer bet if you want to buy on-line. >>>>>> >>>>>> As for your leak - most likely it's a dry o-ring. You could >> probably >>> just >>>>>> pull the lines and replace all the o-rings. Then evacuate the >> system >>> and >>>>>> refill it with a sealer and an oil charge. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> ________________________________ >>>>>>> From: Jack Simon <[email protected]> >>>>>>> To: Volkswagen a2 16v discussion list <[email protected] >>> >>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:17 PM >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Rebuilt ac compressor >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Don't just look at the compressor, have it professionally leak >>> checked >>>>> with >>>>>>> a dye injected into the system, there are a ton of places it could >> be >>>>>>> leaking, all of which are expensive to repair. Mine still leaks >> but >>>>> being >>>>>>> in south central PA, it isn't that critical to me, being near St. >>> Pete >>>>>>> makes a helluva difference!! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 23 May 2012, at 18:34, Chad wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I may have a leaking compressor on my 90 16v. What experiece do >> you >>>>>>> guys have with rebuilt compressors? Price range is rather wide >> from >>>>>>> what I saw on eBay. I'm also considering having the hoses rebuilt >>>>>>> depending on cost. An ac charge lasts only 4 months at this point >>> and >>>>>>> the compressor is attracting lots of oil/dirt. I'll do some leak >>>>>>> detection too to be sure. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> a2-16v-list mailing list >>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>> http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> a2-16v-list mailing list >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> a2-16v-list mailing list >>>>> >>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> a2-16v-list mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> a2-16v-list mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> a2-16v-list mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list >> > _______________________________________________ > a2-16v-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list
