Quote:
Originally Posted by Philoprof
Thanks for the replies, though I guess people differ on this.
While I have your attention, though, I was wondering if you guys or anyone else here could answer any of the following questions for me:
Even though I didn't have a catastrophic AC failure, the clutch on my compressor has been chattering, and I can't tell if it's the original compressor or not. However, the PO converted it to 134 at some point. So I'm guessing that he probably had a problem with the compressor, and changed it, too.
In any case, as I've had the car for over 10 years now, I was thinking of replacing the compressor, which looks like a York, with a new AC Delco A6, given that Delco also makes these for GM. So I was wondering if anyone here knew whether the Delco's are as reliable as, say, a Sandan or some other brand.
I was also thinking of putting a filter/strainer in the suction port to protect the system in case the compressor fails somewhere down the road, as I imagine it very well could. However, I was wondering if having the filter in there could affect the cooling capacity in some way?
Finally, I was wondering if the cheap Behr receiver driers I'm seeing all over the place are any good, as I understand they're now made in China. AFAIK, Hansa is OEM, but the price is so much more than the Behr's I'm wondering if the Hansa's are worth it, considering that the drier doesn't have any moving parts.
Thanks again for the replies, and in advance for any additional info anyone can give me.
Regards,
Bill |
In my experience, assuming that it was changed to 134 due to a compressor failure is a long shot of an assumption. Over the years, people have converted to 134 at the drop of a hat.
Also, in my experience, I wouldn't do away with a York/Tecumseh compressor for ANYTHING! They are reliable and cheap. They do NOT, however, convert well. The added high side pressure from a 134 conversion is tough on them.
If the car were mine, I would simply replace the compressor if necessary, flush the system thoroughly, repair any leaks, replace the filter drier, fill the compressor with mineral oil and charge with R12, that is very inexpensive these days. It can be had for about $15 a pound, very little more than 134. This will give you a better performing, more reliable system much cheaper, simpler and less time consuming than converting to a different compressor.
I would be surprised if there's anything wrong with a Behr filter/drier. It's a quite simple component. Kind of hard to mess it up.
Hope this helps.
Woops! I meant $15 a pound for R12. Sorry 'bout that.