[DeTomaso] A/C gas leak troubleshooting

[David & Marilyn Bell]

There are two main sources of R-12 oozing loss from older AC systems (my
opinion obviously).  One is the compressor shaft seal, which tends to dry
out over the winter or other intervals of no use.  This can cause the common
problem of the AC was working last summer but then needs to be filled each
spring.  Spin the compressor periodically during the winter months to keep
the shaft seal lubricated.

The other is old hoses that become permeable over time and loose their
ability to seal.  If your hoses are 15 or 20 years old, I wouldn't even
think of refilling the system (with incredibly expensive R-12 no less)
without replacing all the old hoses, the dryer and probably the expansion
valve.  I did this four years ago with off-the-shelf NAPA parts and
O'Reilly's custom built hoses.  No AC refrigerant leaks since.


YMMV Dave Bell



-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On
Behalf Of Charles McCall
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 1:34 PM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] A/C gas leak troubleshooting

HI all,

I'm wondering what Conventional Wisdom and/or PanteraThink says.

When I bought my GT5-S, the A/C blew warm air. I had the system charged with
freon and it worked very well for a very short time.

They charged it again and I had the same result. Being a slow learner, I had
them charge it a third time, and they used a dye to try to identify where
the freon was leaking from. The shop could not find any signs of leakage.
Unless somebody is breaking into the car at night and stealing my freon,
then I have to assume that the leakage is occuring somewhere hidden, under
the dash.

I've suffered with no A/C (while living in Spain) for 4 or 5 years, dreading
the thought and/or cost of tearing the interior apart. I've finally decided
to do something about it, and Mike Drew was kind enough to volunteer to stop
by this fall and help. I'm not worried about the Drewsaster effect, as I'm
hoping that my car retains a certain number of Drew antibodies, having been
profoundly affected last time ;-)

This is a job I'd like to do only once, and do it right. How can I tell what
needs to be replaced? I'm thinking of changing all the hoses and fittings,
so that we don't have to repeat this in a few years. I'd like to change
everything that needs to be or should be changed - not more and not less.

Any advice on how to determine exactly what I ought to change? Any vendors
having specials at the moment? Thomas Tornblum sent me great photos of
replacing his hoses so I have an idea of what is in store.

Thanks!


SISTEPLANT


Charles McCall

Director de Proyectos

Tel. 946 021 200 - directo 946 021 201 - ext. 242

Fax 946 021 202 - móvil  685 731 401

cmccall at sisteplant.com <mailto:cmccall at cmccall@sisteplant.com>

www.sisteplant.com <http://www.sisteplant.com/>



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