air con

[johnnyc]

Hi All,

wondering if any one has purchased this item.

http://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/1989/Alfa-Romeo/Milano/A-C_Compressor/60-01470_RC.html.

my a/c has been MIA for some time and given the xmas break I have had a chance to get it seen to. I am told the system was completely out of gas (R12). compressor was gassed (marginally) and when a/c switched on the clutch engaged as usual, so all good there.

Shiny has previously mentioned that the unit fitted to our cars is a sanden sd 508 8390. have had a good look on the net and found the above unit, plus plenty more on ebay, some quite cheap ie 150.00-160.00.

a rebuild of my current compressor will be 450.00-500.00 plus shipping.

question is, will the items listed on ebay work in our cars or perhaps I should have the unit in my car reconditioned and be done with it? recondition also involves conversion to 134 gas. I think that the us compressors aren't converted to 134?

thanks.

[shiny_car]

If your car last had R12, then you also face the expense of converting to something like R134a. R12 is no long available, because of 'environmental' reasons, albeit a superior gas (in terms of coldness).

So, you'll need new hoses, in addition to the compressor and always a good idea to replace the receiver-dryer too (not overly expensive). Perhaps get a quote for new hoses (custom made to length, with appropriately shaped fittings) to avoid any shock; I've no idea how much it would cost, mind you. My car was converted prior to me purchasing.

I believe compressors suit either type of gas. It's only if you're using a secondhand one from an R12 system, you are meant to change the oil and seals as part of the conversion.

If you learn info contrary to what I've mentioned, I'm happy to be corrected, to help my own understanding.

[colcol]

Reconditioned compressors,....have a look on youtube to what Scotty Kilmer says about reconditioned compressors, they sometimes fail and you have to do the job again, get a new one.
Your System uses the enviromently unfreindly gas R12, and it was phased out 22 years ago,....so now its illegal to use, however, if you ring up an airconditioning place and ask them to regas your R12 system they will say no, [ they will think you are from the EPA ].
If you drive to the airconditioning place and show them your R12 system needs gassing, they will regass it with a replacment refrigerant gas, thats not R134.
You can purchased gas off ebay as a replacment for R12, and it works fine, some better than others, ER12 was useless, some are more suited to some system than others, talk to your airconditioning specialist.
If you want to use R134, you will need a new compressor, condensor, rubber hoses, steel hoses, receivor drier, TX valve, expensive PAG Synthetic oil [horribly expensive], you will have to take out your evaporator and have it flushed of all the old R12 Mineral oil, how much would that cost?$$$$.
R12 gas is thick and doesn't leak out as easy as R134, so R12 compressors don't work for R134 as they leak out the new R134 gasses, thats why everything has to be changed for R134 conversions.
My 33 has the old R12 system and works fine, you will just have to find someone to regass the R12 system, Colin.

[GTVeloce]

I am a convert to hydrocarbons. HyChill (which is a Melbourne company) sell a hydrocarbon refrigerant that is suitable for the 75. I gassed my 75 with it and it is still working excellently 12 months later. As someone mentioned earlier, R12 has larger molecules to R134A and therefore the newer gas leaks out the pores of the hoses unless changed. The HyChill hydrocarbon has a similar molecule size to R12 and being hydrocarbon, it is very friendly to the air. You can buy a can of about the right amount you need for the 75 system from Bursons for about (from memory) $15!

In a stock, original 75 system with hydrocarbons the air con was beautifully cold even in oppressive S-E asian heat and 45+ Dubai heat.

[colcol]

Like i said, some gasses suit some cars better than others, used ER12 in the 33 and VL Commodore and worked poorly, tried undergassing it as well and didn't worked which annoyed me, because you read the technical sheet and it should be good, and you buy it at Bursons!, and the worst thing, i work around the corner from Hychill, if i had a 75 i would be giving ER12 a go, Colin.

[johnnyc]

excellent,

thanks for your replies. that clears a few things up.