AC and EJ conversion

[El_Freddo]

The time has come to getting my Air Con sorted in Ruby Scoo. I've never had a car with operational AC, so it'll be something new

My plan is to cut the stock L series pipes at the pump end and graft them to the EJ pump hoses that will also be cut in this area. This will allow me to get the right angles on the hose to connect it to the other part of the system.

I'm hoping to do this with some aluminium welding rods and a small torch, keep the heat low so as to not blow the metal away... Something like this product with a torch like the pencil butane torch. Hopefully these will do the job.

Then it's on to having the system gassed after I've cleaned those bits that have been loose for some time and put it all together. I've been looking into using hydro carbons rather than r134a, as the latter is very harmful to the environment from what I've been reading - ironic as it was meant to be the saviour product from the R12 ozone killing stuff.

Problem is that I can't find anyone who does this for cars - I am yet to give HiChill a call to find out if anyone they know/their representatives gasses up car AC systems.

I'm really looking forward to having AC, but also don't want to pay the earth for it

Cheers

Bennie

[RSR 555]

What I do, is make the join in the rubber part of the hose. The auto sparkie I get to do this for me has all the parts and then gases it for me. The joiner pieces have the fill and vac point on them to suit the new type of gases.


And as I know you want pics...
http://www.techchoiceparts.com/SQLCart/ ... 120611.jpg

[tambox]

I have done a few Ls with HyChill, if you want to come to melb with a can of Hychill, (or I have a few) I can evac and gas it for you.

The photo shows how to use all original pipes, no cutting/ welding. You need to get the metal L shaped gassing port, with pipe from an early L series and it all fits together.

Welds on these pipes have to be good, due to the pressures.

[tambox]

Having lunch, so I looked at those things you want to weld with, good luck.
I have used similar rods in the past, they need a lot of heat soak to work.
You need to get the aluminium up to melting temperature for it to bond.
That burner wont and the rods wont melt.
Any oxy would do it.
Ive got some better stuff, PM if you are interested.
Greg

[El_Freddo]

Very useful image Tambox. My issue is that the system in my vehicle doesn't have this connection to the block part, mine's got a female threaded piece.

And I've got some muffler looking thing in the system too (from another thread ages ago):



How do I go about hooking this up then? I think it's time to go out and check out my fittings as I don't remember them hooking up as simply as you have in the first image...

Cheers

Bennie

[tambox]

You can get all sorts of adapter connectors.
It can be hard to find someone with the one you want.

They usually stock a few, the cut/joint or weld the rest.
The connector that RSR 555 sugested is an easy way of cutting the rubber and joining the hoses with the required ends on them. You can get them without the valve, which is cheaper, but you should always have a high and low valve. Couple of hose clamps and these work well.

You can ditch the baffle as you are running a different compressor or keep it if you need the connections.
See what you can make up from you "excess parts" pile.

One of the compressor pipes is usually the problem, cut & join or weld or get one made$$$$.

[steptoe]

LPG is another bloody good refrigerant - a mate has tried it. I think HiChill may be similar chemically ?? if not LPG ??

Have tried those welding rods, well similar, sold at a field day where the demo is always on the micro thin coke can, with other samples of welding on display. I have done some play weld with them but as said above- good luck. Must be technique , those rods melt about 100C below aluminium does ?? bit vague, you can easily make a mess

Join the club - also never had a car with good AC, contrary to someoen else opinion though - have allegedly pulled out some easy fix AC systems

[RSR 555]

You can get all sorts of adapter connectors.

+1.. there is plenty of different combination of A/C fittings out there. Most auto sparkies that deal with regassing will have a book on what fittings are available.

The connector that RSR 555 sugested is an easy way of cutting the rubber and joining the hoses with the required ends on them. You can get them without the valve, which is cheaper, but you should always have a high and low valve. Couple of hose clamps and these work well.

I found this the easiet and cheapest. You can get them without the valves but you need to put adaptors on your old valves, so in the long run it works out cheaper. I'd also recommend the joiners get crimped on, hose clamps work on old systems where pressures weren't as high as newer systems.

[tambox]

If you only use the joiners on the low pressure side you can use hose clamps, but high pressure, crimped is better, well the only safe way.
You do not need the valve adapters unless you are getting 134 put in it.
To meet the standards.
Hychill can be put into any of the valve sizes.

[RSR 555]

If you only use the joiners on the low pressure side you can use hose clamps, but high pressure, crimped is better, well the only safe way.
You do not need the valve adapters unless you are getting 134 put in it.
To meet the standards.
Hychill can be put into any of the valve sizes.

I personally wouldn't trust them even on the low side.

Ok, so if we use Hychill then we can use the old valves but from what I remember.. 1 or both valves are on the part of the pipe that gets cut off?

[tambox]

Yep one valve gets cut off, but if you use to 85/6 Lseries L (as per photo) it has the valve in it.

[RSR 555]

I think there is many different systems used throughout the L Series range. I guess because it ran from 85 to 94 there would have been many changes to gases over those years.

I'm 99% sure my system doesn't look like yours or Bennie's car

I'm really keen to use/try this HyChill in my L.

Very good learning thread this Bennie

[El_Freddo]

Ok. So from what you're saying Paul cutting up 4 hoses to make two is the way to go - that is, a high and a low EJ hose each, and a high and a low original L series set of hoses - with a crimped joiner in the middle to adapt the EJ with the L low side hose and the same with the high pressure side...

Which makes this website so interesting - Air-O-Crimp Fittings (Easy to use DIY Crimping) - Just have to find the right fittings and get the crimping tool.

I don't think I'll have to cut off any of the valves to do this if I get the correct fitting - further investigation will be needed to make sure though. Here's the one that's going to be/has been the difficult one to work out:



Tambox, I'd like to take you up on the offer to gas the system. I've got to clean it out first as it's been open for a few years Then once it's together I should be good to go.

I don't think I'll try the welding after finding these adaptors. One thing I'm curious about Tambox is how you got the treaded nut fitting on the end of the EJ hose that goes to the block with the valve in it (low side?). Having a hose like this one would really help out IMO.

Let me know what you think about the adaptors. I realise the trick will be to find the right parts first go. Also, this was the first site I looked at in my search. Pot luck

I'm really keen to use/try this HyChill in my L.

Me too! I've only read good things about it. And it sounds like the compressor doesn't get worked as hard - and that's a good thing in my book (possibly better fuel economy too).

Very good learning thread this Bennie

My pleasure Paul. I've got lots of questions at the moment about a few different things, but little action going on I hope to be changing this soon.

Cheers

Bennie

[tambox]

Hi Bennie, I got the hose from a car I wrecked, I had a closer look at it tonight, its been welded.
If you are going to bring it down, dont do up any of the connections unless you put new (green colour) O rings on them and wet them with A/C oil. Or we can do it when you get here.
You really should have a new rec/dryer or one that has not been open to air for years.
You should also take the compressor off and drain all the oil out of it.
A system thats been open to the air for years, should be flushed out with cleaner, or else the "dirt and dust" in it will destroy the compresser.

Sorry, we could just gas it up, but it would not work well or last very long.

[RSR 555]

Ok. So from what you're saying Paul cutting up 4 hoses to make two is the way to go - that is, a high and a low EJ hose each, and a high and a low original L series set of hoses - with a crimped joiner in the middle to adapt the EJ with the L low side hose and the same with the high pressure side...

Exactly.. join Low side EA hose (car side) to Low side EJ hose (compressor side) and the same for the High side.

Which makes this website so interesting -Just have to find the right fittings and get the crimping tool.

Personally I'd get them crimped/swaged at a workshop. I wouldn't trust those 'O' clamps too much on A/C systems.

I don't think I'll try the welding after finding these adaptors. One thing I'm curious about Tambox is how you got the treaded nut fitting on the end of the EJ hose that goes to the block with the valve in it (low side?). Having a hose like this one would really help out IMO.

Have you got all the old EA stuff?

Me too! I've only read good things about it. And it sounds like the compressor doesn't get worked as hard - and that's a good thing in my book (possibly better fuel economy too).

Yeah.. Can't wait to get home and do it now.. things you do when away on holidays

My pleasure Paul. I've got lots of questions at the moment about a few different things, but little action going on I hope to be changing this soon.

Yeah.. I did too, so a couple of PMs to Greg and I'm sorted ( thanks Greg )

[El_Freddo]

If you are going to bring it down, dont do up any of the connections unless you put new (green colour) O rings on them and wet them with A/C oil. Or we can do it when you get here.
You really should have a new rec/dryer or one that has not been open to air for years.
You should also take the compressor off and drain all the oil out of it.
A system thats been open to the air for years, should be flushed out with cleaner, or else the "dirt and dust" in it will destroy the compresser.

No worries, am I able to do everything up, put a flush through it and bring it down to you from there? I'm keen to do as much as possible here before heading your way to make things easier/less time consuming at your end

As for the dryer, is it ok to pilfer it from a car in the yard that looks like it's AC's just been de-gassed or should I go the effort with a new unit?

Sorry, we could just gas it up, but it would not work well or last very long.

No stress mate, I'm learning about this as we go along. I'm willing to do the work to make this thing last, no use doing it otherwise!

Exactly.. join Low side EA hose (car side) to Low side EJ hose (compressor side) and the same for the High side.

Sweet, glad I got that right and was able to communicate that correctly to you!

Personally I'd get them crimped/swaged at a workshop. I wouldn't trust those 'O' clamps too much on A/C systems.

So that website is a clamp, not a true crimp? Interesting. A hydraulic joint should be able to do the job if I've got the fittings and everything ready to go wouldn't they? I might scout one out and go ask them some questions

Have you got all the old EA stuff?

Yep. Always been in the car, just never got around to hooking it up. Now my priorities have changed somewhat!

Cheers

Bennie

[RSR 555]

So that website is a clamp, not a true crimp? Interesting. A hydraulic joint should be able to do the job if I've got the fittings and everything ready to go wouldn't they? I might scout one out and go ask them some questions

Yeah.. from the pics these look like the clamps that crimp down on 2 sides and are only held in by a loop in the clamp. I've seen them use on the vehicle's coolant system but never on A/C systems.

I would definitely take them down to your local hydraulic place and get them swaged. Make sure you mark a line on the hose and fitting so that they can crimp it in the right spot.

Yep. Always been in the car, just never got around to hooking it up. Now my priorities have changed somewhat!

Excellent. Has the system always been taped up? I also agree with Greg, best to replace the o'rings (like Greg said, use the green R134a type and make sure you use A/C oil on them) and buy a new dryer.

I would only use an old dryer if I couldn't buy a new one. If you use an old one (that hasn't been opened to the air) I'd evac the system for a few hours, if the old one has been without gas for a while, I'd evac the system for a day. New ones are really cheap and a lot less hassle.

As for 'priorities' I understand, I would have done the same in your situation

[tambox]

I only have a full set of connectors for the old style gassing valves.
Make sure you use this type, usually the 134a adapters will be screwed onto the original valves. If so, unscrew them before you make the hoses as somtimes they break the valve off.