Ac woes

[georgiacruiser87]

1987 fj60*

Sorry for the lengthy intro:

The saga continues with my ac. I replaced evaporator, low pressure switch, expansion valve, drier and every o-ring.

I pulled vacuum and it held for 8 hours so I called it good enough and filled with refrigerant. It worked well enough over the next few days.

Fast forward 2 weeks. I pulled it out of the garage to drive it and ac never even gets remotely cold. After a 30 mile drive I come back home and let it cool off and hook up some manifold gauges. The low pressure side was reading super low like 5-10 instead of the 40 ish it had when I filled it.

So my thoughts are leak. Pull vacuum today and I’ve been checking the gauge the last 7 hours on and off and it’s -30. Hasn’t dropped at all.

So I have 3 potential causes and I’d like your guys opinion.

1. I resealed the compressor because there was nothing available online from denso or four seasons.

Solution: buy a used one and hope for the best? still no reman or aftermarket available. Everyone is out of stock and a source at Napa is telling me it’ll be another 4-5 months before they get anything.

2. Condenser stopped up and causing excessive pressure/leaking?

Solution: take it out and get it tested and flushed. Still if there’s an issue with it they are NLA and the prices I’ve seen are astronomical if you can find one.

3. (This is the most unorthodox and me just being crazy) the caps for the adaptors I put on the high and low pressure valves. I noticed when unscrewing the low pressure that some freon escaped. Could a cap cause a tiny leak?

Feel like I’m going crazy and so far have refused to take it to a mechanic. I may end up biting the bullet, but hell a mechanic may not even want to deal with a 40 year old vehicle

 

[duncanrm]

Cap wont cause a leak, but if the schrader valve is leaking you'd expect to see some pressure under the cap. It might also explain the fact its holding vacuum whilst under test.

 

[vipergrhd]

Let's dice this up slowly, did you swap over to R134A? If you did, which o-rings did you use? Did you replace the Schrader valves? What did you reseal in the compressor? If you lost all your refrigerant you have a big leak, vacuum is not a good indicator for a leak test, you should add some dye in the system and make sure there is enough oil circulating to lubricate the compressor and seals. Just add enough refrigerant to run the system so the dye circulates. Post up your gauge readings when you get it running again.

 

[3_puppies]

we've had a few issues at work similar to this, the vacuum will hold but pressure will leak
we end up charging with nitrogen, to find leaks when this happens

 

[884runner]

I went through a very similar situation recently. I replaced everything but the lines and condenser (bc condensers are NLA and hard to figure out replacements), it would maybe work for a few mins and then quit cooling and my low side would be pulling into a vacuum. From reading that seemed to be possible trash in the system clogging the expansion valve or a bad expansion valve. I swapped EV's a few times but that never fixed it. I finally ordered an aftermarket condenser and figured out how to make my own AC lines. I flushed the system and now everything works. I did have a new compressor too (I didn't know they are all out of stock now) so I knew that wasn't it, but if you're compressor clutch seems to be engaging then I bet you have trash in your system from the old condenser or old lines or both. @cruisermatt is working on a condenser and line replacement and someone else recently posted that they offer stock replacements but I have never purchased from them and Matt has been very helpful on my whole build. I think you need to be pursuing this to eliminate all variables.

 

[gmr76]

Not sure I understand that you cant find a new compressor - I just pulled up rock auto and there seems to be several brands in stock for a FJ62.

When I tore my system apart a few years ago I watched this guys videos (he has a few) and learned a few tricks/tips.



I have used the compressed air technique on my FJ62 and other vehicles to find leaks and to do a quick check on the functionality of the compressor a hand full of times since. I am not a professional but it seems to work ok. I have been there debating on throwing in towel and calling a professional... I assume most people on here have!

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Not sure I understand that you cant find a new compressor - I just pulled up rock auto and there seems to be several brands in stock for a FJ62.

View attachment 3960187

When I tore my system apart a few years ago I watched this guys videos (he has a few) and learned a few tricks/tips.



I have used the compressed air technique on my FJ62 and other vehicles to find leaks and to do a quick check on the functionality of the compressor a hand full of times since. I am not a professional but it seems to work ok. I have been there debating on throwing in towel and calling a professional... I assume most people on here have!

*fj60 and I’ve looked everywhere.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Let's dice this up slowly, did you swap over to R134A? If you did, which o-rings did you use? Did you replace the Schrader valves? What did you reseal in the compressor? If you lost all your refrigerant you have a big leak, vacuum is not a good indicator for a leak test, you should add some dye in the system and make sure there is enough oil circulating to lubricate the compressor and seals. Just add enough refrigerant to run the system so the dye circulates. Post up your gauge readings when you get it running again.

Yeah i switched over to r134. I always assumed that vacuum was a good indicator of leak test. I bought a large set of o rings from harbor freight and used those only when o rings weren’t supplied with the parts I bought. For instance when I bought the new drier it came with o rings.

Will add dye and probably a few ounces of oil Friday morning and check for leaks. Will report back.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

I went through a very similar situation recently. I replaced everything but the lines and condenser (bc condensers are NLA and hard to figure out replacements), it would maybe work for a few mins and then quit cooling and my low side would be pulling into a vacuum. From reading that seemed to be possible trash in the system clogging the expansion valve or a bad expansion valve. I swapped EV's a few times but that never fixed it. I finally ordered an aftermarket condenser and figured out how to make my own AC lines. I flushed the system and now everything works. I did have a new compressor too (I didn't know they are all out of stock now) so I knew that wasn't it, but if you're compressor clutch seems to be engaging then I bet you have trash in your system from the old condenser or old lines or both. @cruisermatt is working on a condenser and line replacement and someone else recently posted that they offer stock replacements but I have never purchased from them and Matt has been very helpful on my whole build. I think you need to be pursuing this to eliminate all variables.

Part number on the aftermarket condenser? I’m going to check for leaks the next few days.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Cap wont cause a leak, but if the schrader valve is leaking you'd expect to see some pressure under the cap. It might also explain the fact it’s holding vacuum whilst under test.

I was able to turn it maybe a full turn. Hmm

 

[gmr76]

*fj60 and I’ve looked everywhere.

Copy - your post doesn't specify 60 or 62.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Copy - your post doesn't specify 60 or 62.

Will edit to fix

 

[884runner]

Part number on the aftermarket condenser? I’m going to check for leaks the next few days.

I will have to look back, but it was a lot of work. I was fortunate to be able to borrow a crimper to make my own lines but I still had to figure out the fittings and line sizes and threads etc. I will be glad to share that with you but unless you have the crimper it won't work out. You should contact Cruisermatt first and see if he can supply you with everything you need.

I don't know your circumstances but mine was going into vacuum fairly quickly. I had pulled a vacuum and passed a leak test so I knew even if I still had a small leak that at that moment I had refrigerant in the system and it still wasn't working. So that's what lead me to replacing everything. If your condenser looks as bad as mine did, I bet that's your problem.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

I will have to look back, but it was a lot of work. I was fortunate to be able to borrow a crimper to make my own lines but I still had to figure out the fittings and line sizes and threads etc. I will be glad to share that with you but unless you have the crimper it won't work out. You should contact Cruisermatt first and see if he can supply you with everything you need.

I don't know your circumstances but mine was going into vacuum fairly quickly. I had pulled a vacuum and passed a leak test so I knew even if I still had a small leak that at that moment I had refrigerant in the system and it still wasn't working. So that's what lead me to replacing everything. If your condenser looks as bad as mine did, I bet that's your problem.

The condenser actually looks good. The sad part is I’m just trying to get everything fixed to enjoy the next year while compiling parts for a Ls swap. I’ll need a good condenser then too though. Ha!

 

[Skreddy]

I used the 471-0204 Denso compressor when I did mine, along with the screw on conversion fittings for using the r-134 gauges/fill. I also used an oil with dye in it for future leak detection.

I see reman versions of that Denso unit on Amazon, jegs, summit; all between $330-350. More than they were a couple years ago for sure! I kept my old unit thinking I’d rebuild or get it rebuilt one day.

I’d double check the material of the harbor freight o-rings is compatible with the r-134 refrigerant (assuming that’s what you used).

 

[georgiacruiser87]

I used the 471-0204 Denso compressor when I did mine, along with the screw on conversion fittings for using the r-134 gauges/fill. I also used an oil with dye in it for future leak detection.

I see reman versions of that Denso unit on Amazon, jegs, summit; all between $330-350. More than they were a couple years ago for sure! I kept my old unit thinking I’d rebuild or get it rebuilt one day.

I’d double check the material of the harbor freight o-rings is compatible with the r-134 refrigerant (assuming that’s what you used).

I’ve called jegs and summit. Even ordered from Amazon just to tell me they’re back ordered.

Good call on the o rings I didn’t even think about that. I’ll do the leak test and see what’s happening and redo all the o rings if needed.

 

[Skreddy]

I’ve called jegs and summit. Even ordered from Amazon just to tell me they’re back ordered.

Good call on the o rings I didn’t even think about that. I’ll do the leak test and see what’s happening and redo all the o rings if needed.

View attachment 3960305

Awwww biscuits. I just tried on summit and once I add to cart it says they’ll special order it. Amazon says “ships in 2-3 weeks”……



Just don’t get scammed! Someone may see this thread and message saying they have one blah, blah and try to rip you off!

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Awwww biscuits. I just tried on summit and once I add to cart it says they’ll special order it. Amazon says “ships in 2-3 weeks”……



Just don’t get scammed! Someone may see this thread and message saying they have one blah, blah and try to

Awwww biscuits. I just tried on summit and once I add to cart it says they’ll special order it. Amazon says “ships in 2-3 weeks”……



Just don’t get scammed! Someone may see this thread and message saying they have one blah, blah and try to rip you off!

yeah when I first started fixing this I found a new reman on eBay and later found out they just drop ship. Waiting 2 weeks on a tracking order and when I inquired they just gave me a refund without an explanation.

Worst case scenario I’ll just tough out the summer until the Ls goes in. I’ll still be met with a condenser issue then though.

 

[Skreddy]

Worst case scenario I’ll just tough out the summer until the Ls goes in. I’ll still be met with a condenser issue then though.

Could always go through vintage air or something to get one of their compressors and bracket setups.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Could always go through vintage air or something to get one of their compressors and bracket setups.

Wouldn't waste money on that if he is doing an ls swap