Can This Fitting Be Replaced | FerrariChat

Can This Fitting Be Replaced

Discussion in '308/328' started by Lawrence Coppari, Mar 2, 2018.

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  1. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    I found the leak in my York R206R compressor. In the picture below soapy water shows the leak is right at the gasket at the low side port pointed out by the arrow. Is this part replaceable?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    This may have been a false alarm. In looking for the fitting and speaking with a salesperson on line, I put a wrench on the lower nut to remove and photograph it so he could identify it and found it was loose. Recently I changed the timing belts and moved the compressor over. Evidently this loosened it. I should have thought to check this sooner because the AC worked before changing the belts but failed to come on after the belt change due to low pressure in the system. Quite a coincidence, I'd say. At the moment the system is pressurized with air to 45 psig and so far (1 hour) there has been no movement in my gauge set. I'll let it be for a day just to make sure but I think that was the problem. Prior to tightening the nut, the pressure would fall about 5 psi per hour. If this is the only leak source, all I have to do is replace the receiver/dryer and recharge the system.
     
  3. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    1,340
    Encino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Carl T
    While you are in there:) you might as well replace the o-rings you reference since you have probably lost all freon.
     
  4. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    Hate to sound too ignorant but where are the O-rings? Is the dark portion just under the arrow an O-ring for the suction side? Five years ago I replaced the shaft seal but disconnected the compressor at the hoses. It has been a couple of hours now since I charged the system with air and the pressure has not dropped at all. I am beginning to feel confident there are no other leaks. But as you suggest, I'd like to replace the O-rings.
     
  5. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
    1,354
    Northeast, PA - USA
    Full Name:
    Wayne Martin
    You mentioned you pressurized the system with air which could induce moisture. I usually apply a vacuum pump to evacuate the system and dry it out.
     
  6. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    I filled it with air to test for leaks because there is no sense in wasting refrigerant. Once I am convinced there are no leaks, I'll change the receiver/dryer, pull a vacuum, and recharge. The reason why I pressurized it with air instead of evacuating it is because the air test is more severe. I pressurized to 50 psig and so far it is holding. Had I only evacuated it, the pressure difference would only be 14.7 psi. Big difference.
     
  7. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,155
    Mansfield, TX
    Full Name:
    Ron
    I recommend charging the system with nitrogen to test for leaks. Air will introduce moisture. You can evacuate the system after using air, but your dryer will have been compromised.
     
  8. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    I do not have a nitrogen source and planned on replacing the receiver/dryer anyway. But, hey, air is 72% nitrogen. ;>)
     
  9. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
    1,155
    Mansfield, TX
    Full Name:
    Ron
    and up to 4% water :)
     
  10. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    But wait, wait. My compressor has a storage tank as does my pressure regulator which has a small tank attached. Both have to be periodically drained to remove water that has condensed when air is compressed. Both tanks are always under 120 psig pressure.

    Anyway, my vacuum pump will get most of the water and the new receiver/dryer will hopefully get what remains.

    But I'm still wondering about the O-rings at the compressor head.
     
  11. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
    1,354
    Northeast, PA - USA
    Full Name:
    Wayne Martin
    All bantering aside. This is the first I have heard of using compressed air to test an ac system on a car. Just saying.....
     
  12. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    Object is to see if the system leaks. You can attach a vacuum pump along with gauges and see if the system loses its vacuum. But in that case you only have a driving pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch to check for leaks. I choose to pressurize the system to create a considerably higher driving pressure to check for leaks. The fact that I introduced water vapor into the system by pressurizing it with air is no problem because I'll evacuate it and replace the receiver/dryer before recharging. As ferrariowner wrote it would have been better to use nitrogen, but I do not have compressed nitrogen. So air will have to do.
     
  13. dwhite

    dwhite F1 Rookie

    There is going to be air in the system anytime you open the A/C lines, so it's nuts to worry about air in the lines from a test. If you ever change the O- rings on the connections you will have air infiltration.

    I have never, ever had a car with an AC problem caused by moisture in the air and I'm including my 2 ferraris which both blow ice cold air and I've had the lines off both of their compressors. I think sometimes folks here just speak about the most unlikely problems.

    FYI, the O-rings are at the couplings like the one in your picture.
     
    thorn likes this.
  14. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    Although pressurizing the system with CA is not the normal recommended procedure it can be done. Considering the high side pressures can go as high as 250-300 psig a normal CA system wouldn't reach these pressures. Vacuum evacuation and testing usually is the best method. Evacuation for 4-8 hours usually gets all of the moisture out and follow that with a 24 hr vacuum hold at 25-30" without a loss will do the trick.
    Also make sure that all of the O-rings at each fitting are replaced with the proper ones for the refrig. being uses.
     

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