a/c system removal

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J

jblueridge

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I'm preparing to overhaul my entire a/c system.

Anyone have advice or warnings about this endeavor, especially getting at the expansion valve and evaporator?

'88 BJ74.

Thanks.
 
Compressor seems to make about 30 psi (crunching air) when I bypass electric clutch control.
No refrigerant is detectable, at least by me.
I have no idea how long the system has been empty.

I like to take things apart and fix them so I don't have to do it again. Or if I do I'll know all about it.
 
When I bought my BJ74 the previous owner had not used the A/C in years and needless to say it didn't work. I had it converted to the new freon (the kind that doesn't kill small birds and endangered fish) however it only worked for a few days. The A/C guru told me my compressor was shot and needed replacing. (Not an inexpensive undertaking)
A local parts guy (my neighbor) told me to try a can of "stop leak" before I bit the bullet for a new compressor. The stop leak didn't really seem to help but being stubborn I tried a second can of stop leak. That's been almost a year ago and the A/C has worked flawlessly since then.
 
What was done when it was converted to modern refrigerant?
I've read that old freon compressors (ours) need a different kind of oil in order to run modern R134a refrigerant.
The old oil needs to be flushed out. O-rings are probably shot.
 
Ive removed mine, before that I tried 3 different (second hand) compressors, rebuild kits and "anti leak" staff, its never really worked

was waste of time and money
 
Last edited:
The A/C guy changed out a couple of valves
jblueridge said:
What was done when it was converted to modern refrigerant?
I've read that old freon compressors (ours) need a different kind of oil in order to run modern R134a refrigerant.
The old oil needs to be flushed out. O-rings are probably shot.
Click to expand...
i honestly can't tell you. I know it didn't take long and I came home with a couple of new, shiny fittings. I don't know if the system was flushed out before the process was started..... sorry.
 
Yes, the new refrigerant bottles use different fittings so the US gov't can sleep easy at night.
 
New compressors are not hideously expensive any more and some of the landcruiser types are used on Toyota cars.Its just a matter of swapping the front of the compressor over.The ones used in the 80s models landcruisers are the same as those used on Cressidas
But used units from the 80s are all going to be flogged out by now.
I had one converted to run on the new gas but it never got as cold as I would have liked, the aircon shop pre warned me about that. Later when I did an engine swap ,I fitted a new compressor and it made a big difference.
I got a Denso compressor made in Indonesia . Just as good as any.
 
Yes, I just ordered a new compressor and I believe it was under 300 bucks.
 
Yes, I have looked around online and something like $260 for the compressor seems about right.
The original evaporators are not as high-tech and efficient as a modern one meant to run on R134a refrigerant.
I have read that R134a is meant to run at a higher pressure, so that's one reason why I would want to start fresh and make sure all seals are replaced and everything is lubed properly.
Another possibility would be to run R12 Freon and try not to destroy the environment. Very expensive.
 
R134a gas can leak through hoses designed for r12 as the molecule is smaller. You'll need to at least get the system pressure tested with nitrogen first. Adapter fittings can be used on the test ports and the drier/filter to convert to 134. If it hasn't been used for a while the compressor front seal goes dry and will let gas past. If it's had no gas in it for a while it's a good idea to get the system flushed out (with nitrogen and a proper solvent for it) as the old oil can turn acidic in the drier with enough moisture. If it pressure tests ok you don't need to change any hoses, fittings, o-rings, etc, it will hold the new gas.
 
Thanks JB. I'm thinking of replacing the hoses with new ones that will hold R134a. I intend to flush out anything I am not replacing.
 
Well I got my aircon working. The shop that re-cored my radiator has a guy that is an expert in a/c. He filled it with old-school R12.
The condenser I bought to replace the frail original bolted right in but the pipe fittings were wrong. My JDM cruiser has American a/c pipe fittings while the condenser I bought from CruiserParts.net has metric. The pipe diameters were very different too and this meant I had to have 2 custom pipes made to mate things up. I had replaced a bunch of stuff and flushed the system; that stuff worked out fine. I am to take the truck back in 2 weeks for a final leak check.
Here's the link to the condenser that caused the headaches. The guys at CruiserParts said it would fit my '88 and they were right I guess.
http://shop.cruiserparts.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=112_362&products_id=35293
 
The condenser I bought to replace the frail original bolted right in but the pipe fittings were wrong. My JDM cruiser has American a/c pipe fittings while the condenser I bought from CruiserParts.net has metric. The pipe diameters were very different too and this meant I had to have 2 custom pipes made to mate things up. I had replaced a bunch of stuff and flushed the system; that stuff worked out fine. I am to take the truck back in 2 weeks for a final leak check.
Here's the link to the condenser that caused the headaches. The guys at CruiserParts said it would fit my '88 and they were right I guess.
AC Cooler Condenser 70 series 1985-newer [88460-60180] - $429.00 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts[/QUOTE]

Hello
It was 16F here this morning and I know it is a strange time to be thinking A/C but I now have the same condenser you bought. I swapped the LH bracket from my old unit and the new one went right in. But as you found out, the fittings on the new unit are not standard in the US A/C world. Would you mind sharing where you got the fittings to fit the new condenser and who fabbed up the new lines for you?
Thanks!
Peter
 
Sure.
I took the old and replacement condensers to the only people around here who would even touch a job like that.
The very experienced mechanic modified the steel tubing as needed.

To keep his radiator business afloat, he also runs a franchise or outlet of Tube N Hoses.
Hensley's Radiator Service

I'll get some photos of the stuff today. The grille is off for now; easy to snap shots.
 
Here are some pics. Hope they help.
upload_2016-12-16_18-58-45.webp


upload_2016-12-16_18-58-59.webp


upload_2016-12-16_18-59-14.webp


upload_2016-12-16_18-59-29.webp


upload_2016-12-16_19-0-22.webp
 
As I recall, the receipt was pretty vague. "Parts" had a cost as did "Labor".
Fred did the work and I picked it up.
I installed the modified tubing then dropped the cruiser off so Fred could charge it with old school freon.
 
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