Need help with F355 a/c blockage. | FerrariChat
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Need help with F355 a/c blockage.

Discussion in '348/355' started by jm3, Jun 21, 2010.

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  1. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
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    #1 jm3, Jun 21, 2010
    Having attempted to find an honest air conditioning shop to work on the F355, I am forced to fix it myself. (This is the short version of a bad story)

    I need your help.

    After vacuuming, and refilling, I have a gradual vacuum on the low side and high, climbing pressure on the high side. I replaced the dryer just in case it was plugged, and because I had a new one sitting around anyway, and the results are the same. I did use the correct amount of freon.

    So, I guess something is plugged up somewhere. I would like some help in figuring what is most likely to be plugged up. I know for sure that r134 with "stop leak" has been added at some point.

    If you think it can be fixed by flushing, that would be ok, even though my shop compressor just broke (when it rains it pours).

    Expansion valve? Do these go bad often?

    Any help is appreciated, so I don't ever have to bring a Ferrari to an a/c shop again.


    JM
     
  2. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    Jun 19, 2002
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    #2 ferrarioldman, Jun 21, 2010
    You need to flush the system. The stop leak can cause problems.
     
  3. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #3 jm3, Jun 21, 2010
    It seems like more plugged than that, it worked for at least a year after the sealant / r134.

    Do you think I can flush just the condenser? Or do I need to do the evaporator too?
     
  4. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #4 finnerty, Jun 21, 2010
    It's possible you may have an internal corrosion failure which is permanently obstructing flow. I would try to separate the circuit into discrete sections and test individually in order to isolate where the blockage is. If it's in the evaporator or the condenser, take it into a radiator shop and let them have a go at it in their "anti-corrosion" bath tank for a few days.
     
  5. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
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    #5 finnerty, Jun 21, 2010
    BTW, who painted your air boxes red? Never seen that before ---- looks kinda cool :)
     
  6. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 PAP 348, Jun 21, 2010
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2010
    My money would be on the TX valve sticking or blocked man. ;);)

    All depending on what is in the system that may block it. Did you have a compressor failure or something? :):)

    If you did, the drier normally catches all the bad stuff, especially the chunky stuff. :D:D

    So, it may just be a sticking TX valve man. I saw a compressor at work the other day that was JUST about to **** itself. The a/c hoses/system was full of grey paste. The drier caught most of it, but there was still some throughout the system, all the way up to the TX valve up front. :D:D

    We flushed out all the lines/drier/condensor and fitted a new drier and compressor. A/c was good after that, but you can never get 100% of the crap out apparently. So, the plan is to run it for a few hours, the recover the gas, replace the drier, vac it down and charge her up again. Im on days off now, but I am sure those boys sorted it out. :D:D

    I would drop the hoses off and use a flushing agent to try and flush the system out just to be sure. But I would pull that TX valve out and have a look. You may be able to tell if it has been sticking by looking to see if you can see "marks" on the shaft in the valve. Im sure you know what I mean? :):)
     
  7. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #7 jm3, Jun 21, 2010
    Yeah I think I will wiggle that thing.

    TX = thermal expansion valve = expansion valve
     
  8. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 PAP 348, Jun 21, 2010
    Yep, thats the one. :D:D
     

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