Contaminated FB A/C System
04-12-21, 04:39 PM
#1
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Contaminated FB A/C System
Anyone have any thoughts on where to go to get an FB's A/C system purged?
Took it to a shop, had them look at the A/C while working on other things.
Apparently previous owners put two different types of recharge in it.
Shop couldn't do anything to test the system; hooking into mine will contaminate theirs, is what they said.
Took it to a shop, had them look at the A/C while working on other things.
Apparently previous owners put two different types of recharge in it.
Shop couldn't do anything to test the system; hooking into mine will contaminate theirs, is what they said.
04-12-21, 05:11 PM
#2
04-13-21, 09:49 AM
#3
Did the shop say what is in it? Or did they see r134a fittings on the recharge ports and assume someone mixed it? Hopefully it has the correct oil in it if retrofitted. If it's not working now, it's probably empty, the expansion valve is clogged, or the compressor is dead.
Considering you are looking to get work done to the system; either the original r12 leaked out and someone refilled it (fixing the leak or not), or they pulled the r12 out back in the 90s to put the r134a in and it has mostly leaked out now, or it's full and mixed up with probably the wrong oil used. If the system still works but not very well then, it's hopefully 100% r134a and I would think by now if the wrong oil was used the compressor would be dead.
You can test for and refrigerant by engaging the schrader valve with a long screwdriver or something for a brief second to see if anything comes out. You'll hear it hiss and likely see it. If it's still r12 I'd be more concerned about the environment but if it's r134a then that is what is in computer air duster cans. (That or r152a) It's still not good for the environment but it is sold as something you spray into the atmosphere anyway.
I will note though, if you do vent to atmosphere there are big fines if reported and high awards for reporting someone. Also, I am not recommending that you vent to atmosphere but aside from r12 you can by duster sold to spray into the atmosphere that contains the same refrigerant today so I'm not sure what the real issue is at the government level.
Either way, once you get the system empty, I'd recommend flushing the system and replacing the expansion valve and of course the drier. And testing the compressor or hoping for the best.
Again, I'm NOT recommending venting to atmosphere.
Considering you are looking to get work done to the system; either the original r12 leaked out and someone refilled it (fixing the leak or not), or they pulled the r12 out back in the 90s to put the r134a in and it has mostly leaked out now, or it's full and mixed up with probably the wrong oil used. If the system still works but not very well then, it's hopefully 100% r134a and I would think by now if the wrong oil was used the compressor would be dead.
You can test for and refrigerant by engaging the schrader valve with a long screwdriver or something for a brief second to see if anything comes out. You'll hear it hiss and likely see it. If it's still r12 I'd be more concerned about the environment but if it's r134a then that is what is in computer air duster cans. (That or r152a) It's still not good for the environment but it is sold as something you spray into the atmosphere anyway.
I will note though, if you do vent to atmosphere there are big fines if reported and high awards for reporting someone. Also, I am not recommending that you vent to atmosphere but aside from r12 you can by duster sold to spray into the atmosphere that contains the same refrigerant today so I'm not sure what the real issue is at the government level.
Either way, once you get the system empty, I'd recommend flushing the system and replacing the expansion valve and of course the drier. And testing the compressor or hoping for the best.
Again, I'm NOT recommending venting to atmosphere.
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