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[LC0112G]

Ok I'm going to attack my A/C this weekend - hopefully. So I need to order up some parts. I had the radiator pressure checked whilst changing the engine, and it checked out Ok. However, when I went to the A/C place for a re-fill it failed the vacuum test. So.. I'm going to order up...

13277003 HP Valve (which superceeds 52458177 ?)
52455752 Compressor pipework seals
3041827 Schrader valves.

I've got loads of HBNR O rings, various oils, UV dye, pressure pipes and gauges, and a cylinder of R134A from when I retro-fitted did the LC with R134a.

However, I'm wondering about the dryer. Best practice is to replace when the system is depressurised for any length of time, and the A/C has not worked in all the time I've owned the car - 4 years. EPC seems to show the complete unit (52482791) or just the dessicant insert (52464426). I'll get the prices this lunchtime, but has anyone ever changed the dessicant? Easy/Hard/Impossible?

[LC0112G]

Well, 52482791 is £200+VAT, and 82464426 is NLS.

Old dryer it is then 

[Simon270172]

Hi,

Was thinking about this too, but not enough pennies at the moment good news for you though I've just been looking at a new old stock genuine GM drier on E-blag for £40 I don't have the link but you could search for yourself.
Hope this helped.

Simon.

[LC0112G]

Hi,

Was thinking about this too, but not enough pennies at the moment good news for you though I've just been looking at a new old stock genuine GM drier on E-blag for £40 I don't have the link but you could search for yourself.
Hope this helped.

Simon.

Ta £48 + free next day delivery. Much more like it.

[Simon270172]

You're very welcome

Simon.

[biggriffin]

Vac test not much use,better off pressurising with nitrogen and dye then discontent and see were dye escapes

[LC0112G]

Vac test not much use,better off pressurising with nitrogen and dye then discontent and see were dye escapes

True, but apparantly it didn't even try to hold a vacuum, and they could hear it hissing/slurping. I just asked them to do it whilst they were MOT-ing it,and they couldn't. I've got a big bottle of argon, or is it acetylene? suppose a match will tell me :-)

Since I have a new dryer on the way, I'm tempted to just use compressed air, although I have been told that R134A+compressed air is explosive. Trouble is, I can't find any confirmation of this on the web anywhere.

There was minimal positive pressure in it when I removed the engine. The only joints I disturbed were the ones on the compressor, and on the radiator. So hopefully, by replacing all the seals that I disturbed plus all the easily accessible valves and O rings I can get it to hold pressure. 

If there are reports of an explosion in Yeovil over the weekend, then you'll know the cause :-)

[05omegav6]

Given that air is 85%ish nitrogen, what could possibly go wrong

That said, on a molecular level 97% of me is interchangeable with my dog... poor bastid

[Marks DTM Calib]

You can get a condenser and dryer for a ton (the condenser being the usual culprit)

[jb]

Agreed,thats what you need as its always the condensor that fails

[LC0112G]

Agreed,thats what you need as its always the condensor that fails

Condenser has passed a pressure test - twice. I suspect my fault is with the compressor pipework seals since re-fitting the compressor pipework is an absolute git of a job.

[LC0112G]

Ok, for those that like to know these things, list prices are....

13277003 HP VALVE £4.19+VAT each
3041827  Schrader Valve £3.81+VAT each
52455752 Compressor pipework seal ring £2.00+VAT each

No I didn't pay that, but that's what the 'puter says. The seal rings come in a pack of 5. And for some reason they've sent me 2 HP valves even though the packaging says 1.

And the eBay dryer has arrived too, so I'm ready for a long weekend's work in the garage. Which reminds me, must empty the swear box.