'91 SE-R A/C issues

[Jim Wright]

On May 7, 2009, at 5:23 PM, Darren Calbero wrote:

> Ray wrote:
>> original o rings.  Works just fine. :)
>
> You are the first person I've heard that has said they have used the  
> original o-rings for the conversion and to boot, no leak?  Can  
> anyone else confirm that they too have done this feat?  Not that I  
> don't believe Ray, but it might not be out of the realm of  
> possibilities that Ray had an unusual success.

I bought a factory conversion kit a number of years ago (before  
discovering too much or my original system was shot and needed  
replacing), and it came with a full set of rings that all needed to be  
replaced.  It seemed that the different refrigerant would react badly  
with the original rings, or something.

Considering that my original system fried itself because of bad rings,  
I would tend to say that if you're removing all of the original  
refrigerant anyway, might as well change the rings while you have the  
chance.


> When I replace the hose (which may be pulled from my "stored" SE-R),  
> I will be exposing the system to the atmosphere.  Will this require  
> me to evacuate the system prior to a recharge?  Will I need to  
> evacuate the system anyway if I am converting to the newer  
> refrigerant?

I'm pretty sure that you will, or else your system will have too much  
air, and not enough refrigerant.


> I did notice what looked like oil on the hard-line portion of the  
> low-pressure hose near the compressor.  Is this oil actually a  
> separate "ingredient" to the A/C system or is it the refrigerant I  
> see that acts as a lubricant?

The oil is part of the refrigerant, generally it isn't necessary to  
add more when adding refrigerant. But since you're converting, you may  
have to add some.  I remember when my compressor (that I never  
actually used) was replaced, it already had oil of the original type  
in it, and as part of the conversion, the old oil was to be drained.


I have no idea if I still have those old instructions out in the  
garage or not, I'll have to give a look this evening.