A/C refill HDJ81?

[83bj60]

OK Folks, last new thread of the day, promised!!!

The A/C in my 'new' truck is not working. Apparently the clutch won't engage, supposedly a sign of lack of refrigerant. What kind does it take and where can it be purchaseed? I can buy in the US as I go there a few times every year (Apparently refrigerant can't be purchased by the end consumer in Canada)

Also could someone indicate WHERE to refill: is that the nib with the pink cover on it (towards the wheel) or is it the one towards the engine (bare on my engine)?

Thanks a lot, I've had a lot of questions about the new truck, not only is it new, but I also have no english manuals or other info about it at this time.

Thanks for your help, folks, and looking forward to your answers

 

[Martin White]

Take a look at Redtec or duracool for your a/c refrigerant. It's designed to work with sytems constructed for the original coolant in your system. The problem with 134 conversions is that they operate at higher pressures than the original system was designed to handle and tend to be more problematic.

 

[83bj60]

Take a look at Redtec or duracool for your a/c refrigerant. It's designed to work with sytems constructed for the original coolant in your system. The problem with 134 conversions is that they operate at higher pressures than the original system was designed to handle and tend to be more problematic.

Good! Can the stuff be bought off the shelf in any of the major stores in the US? If so, where? I'll be going for Thanksgiving in a few days, would love to have the issue covered by my return....

Thanks again Martin, I really appreciate all the time and effort you've so generously given me

 

[Stone]

Well, hopefully it's just the low pressure due to lack of refrigerant that is causing your AC compressor clutch not to engage. In my BJ74's case, it was because of a bad stator coil. You don't even want to know what one of those things cost brand new...

 

[83bj60]

Well, hopefully it's just the low pressure due to lack of refrigerant that is causing your AC compressor clutch not to engage. In my BJ74's case, it was because of a bad stator coil. You don't even want to know what one of those things cost brand new...

If it's an electrical motor or winding problem, couldn't you have that part rebuilt at an alternator/starter shop?

Hmmm!...

 

[84crewcab]

duracool

You can buy duracool locally. Try this link: http://www.deepcool.ca/en/distributeur_qc_e.html

 

[Martin White]

If you look around there will be local a/c shops who work with duracool or redtec. There is a huge vested interest in "scaring" you into going with the conventional stuff - they babble on about explosions etc. but my redtec has worked perfectly since done and everyone I've spoken with privately has found it works for years and years with no problems. Anecdotal I know, but that's what I found.

 

[Stone]

If it's an electrical motor or winding problem, couldn't you have that part rebuilt at an alternator/starter shop?

Hmmm!...

Well, I don't know exactly with the 1HD-T AC compressors, but when I took the stator coil out of the one on my 13B-T AC compressor, it looked like a one piece unit with a wire sticking out of it. It certainly didn't look like one could be taken apart and serviced in any way...

 

[83bj60]

Take a look at Redtec

I presume you're an engineer, Martin

NO Redtec doing any search... But Red Tek, Yes!

www.redtek.ca

You can buy duracool locally. Try this link: http://www.deepcool.ca/en/distributeur_qc_e.html

Good info and thanks for the direct link

Unfortunately they're not retailers... Hopefully I can find some of these products in an auto parts store, though. I'll definitely keep those names in mind!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[83bj60]

If you look around there will be local a/c shops who work with duracool or redtec. There is a huge vested interest in "scaring" you into going with the conventional stuff - they babble on about explosions etc. but my redtec has worked perfectly since done and everyone I've spoken with privately has found it works for years and years with no problems. Anecdotal I know, but that's what I found.

Did you do it yourself, or did you have it done? I presume your truck's A/C wasn't working when you got it either...

If you had it done, how much did you pay? Any issues with seals, oils, etc.? What is the typical cause for the A/C to fail?

Sorry ot be a pest, but I don't know much, and it would seem you need to 'empty' the system first (how is that done?) and it may require lubricants and sealers...

Any guide for the do-it-yourselfer?


Thanks again, I'm learning new stuff everyday!

Chris

 

[lshobie]

Find an A/C shop, get them to see if there is pressure in your system, if not get them to pressurize it - then go back a week later and see if there is any loss. If there is loss the find where the leak is. If there is noticeable loss as soon as the fill it then spray the fittings and a/c componoents with soapy water to find the leak.

If a big leak is found then replace o rings or affected unit. It might be a slow leak - taking a long time to leak out - id\s so then try the methods described above.

Regards,

 

[Martin White]

I only wish I was an engineer. Actually, I'm just a technical person and I like things to work properly. I did a lot of research on line, and decided to go to an a/c shop who tested my system and finally did a complete upgrade with redtek (I originally wanted duracool but they told me redtek was basically the same thing and better supported). The whole job was NOT cheap, about $1000 after all was said and done. But it's worked beyond my expectations and gets very, very cold in the summer. I keep finding you get what you pay for....I don't have the skills to properly diagnose an a/c system and this worked for me. I also requested that sealant be added as I do use the truck off road, though not anything extreme.

 

[83bj60]

Find an A/C shop, get them to see if there is pressure in your system

So you recommend I have it done instead of doing it myself... Would it be OK to wait until next spring or could it cause damage to the system if it's not fixed right away?

Thanks for your input

 

[83bj60]

I only wish I was an engineer. Actually, I'm just a technical person and I like things to work properly.

I can see we have quite a bit in common... Not an engineer either, flunked Math even though I was tops in science, something my teachers never understood... My answer always was: Science deals with reality, whereas math does not... If it's usefull, i'll understand, but I couldn't be bothered with something completely abstract. long story...

I did a lot of research on line, and decided to go to an a/c shop who tested my system and finally did a complete upgrade with redtek (I originally wanted duracool but they told me redtek was basically the same thing and better supported). The whole job was NOT cheap, about $1000 after all was said and done. But it's worked beyond my expectations and gets very, very cold in the summer. I keep finding you get what you pay for....I don't have the skills to properly diagnose an a/c system and this worked for me. I also requested that sealant be added as I do use the truck off road, though not anything extreme.

OK...Indeed, $1,000 is pretty steep, I'd rather spend that first in exhaust improvements and other mechanical work such as a pre-luber and a continuous filtration system, but firstly, of course, winter tires!

Come to think of it $1,000 is about a day's work in a garage when parts are included. I hope I won't have to go through this kind of expense, so I'll keep reading...

What I find reassuring is that you also had to work on the AC, so I presume this must be a fairly common situation. In your case, what was found to be defective? Do you know what the common trouble spots are?

Thanks again for your input, although you're at the other end of the country, I can see a lot of resemblances. Did you change your BEBs yourself?

 

[cruiser_guy]

You can do some pretty serious personal injury if you start playing with the A/C and are unfamiliar with those systems. Things like severe frostbite if the refrigerant contacts exposed skin.
Also it is highly illegal to do the A/C system yourself if you do not have the qualifications. Fines start at $10,000 I think!
I had my '82 BJ60 swapped to R134a like the new cars because of the ease of finding service EVERYWHERE. It easily keeps us cool unless we are somewhere where the temperature is in excess of 110 like Arizona where we are still comfortable but no longer cool. It's been 3 years or so.
For my money I'd simply convert to 134a and call it good. I paid under $500 for mine and he did a few other things in there that a simple convert/recharge would not require.

 

[83bj60]

Also it is highly illegal to do the A/C system yourself if you do not have the qualifications. Fines start at $10,000 I think!

Well us disciplined and obedient Canucks would never dare to fix our own air conditioning system, like in Québec no one now dares to do their own electrical work in their houses. Such is the power of the so-called 'experts' who have the control of the system by way of professional corporations who have regulations that have force of law and use that power to maintain exclusivity over the masses and prevent their emancipation.

Sorry if I don't buy into this philosophy. I would be 'in the poorhouse' now if I had, instead of being independent and making ends meet without any handouts.

BTW, there is a lot of info out there and then only thing you need is an old refrigeration compressor to take everything out of your system before refilling. Besides, Duracool and Red Tek are environmentally friendly and NOT subject to the finger slap politics of R12 and R134.

 

[cruiser_guy]

BTW, there is a lot of info out there and then only thing you need is an old refrigeration compressor to take everything out of your system before refilling. Besides, Duracool and Red Tek are environmentally friendly and NOT subject to the finger slap politics of R12 and R134.

Well you're only partly right (I'm not one who bows to all the "powers that be either"). If you wish to try to evacuate your A/C using only an A/C compressor.... Good luck!! When you're sweating and it's only 90-95 I'll be saying "I told you so!!" I am NOT a refrigeration tech (but I did graduate "Magna cum Laude" in Building Mechanical Systems so I fully understand the A/C cycle) and I do ALL the work on my truck but A/C is one thing I do not have the right tools for, nor will I compromise and do a "half-assed" job with an old compressor, but to each his own!
Have fun doing it yourself, I WON'T call you in but I WILL laugh when you post up next summer asking why your A/C won't cool worth s***!!