Running R-134 question

[Toploader]

40 degrees should be fine as long as it stays that way.

LOL it will not, as I know that I do have a slow leak at the compressor, but I should be able to get through the summer.

[friskyfrankie]

Actually, in reality, ALL compressors leak but only a very, very small amount to keep the shaft seal moist. More than a very tiny amount, however, is an issue to be addressed.

[Toploader]

So is money.............SS does not go all that far

[friskyfrankie]

So is money.............SS does not go all that far

I hear that! That is why although I always recommend the proper way of doing things, there is always a "quick and dirty" alternative to possibly get you by!!

[DerekTheGreat]

134a being discontinued in Jan. 2024??? Argh, how much is a good amount to stockpile? Is it possible to convert old junk to yet another refrigerant that typical auto shops have? Looking like if not, I'll have to break down and buy some stuff so I can do it myself. Not easy, getting lazier with each passing year. Well, that's probably not accurate, just would rather spend money on audio stuffs right now. Vintage audio ownership is much like vintage car ownership, it's always something, never works as advertised, difficult to find people who service it and expensive when you do. But when it does work, woo!

[sly]

I guess we'll all be converting to R600a. Weeeeeeeee.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

134a being discontinued in Jan. 2024??? Argh, how much is a good amount to stockpile? Is it possible to convert old junk to yet another refrigerant that typical auto shops have? Looking like if not, I'll have to break down and buy some stuff so I can do it myself. Not easy, getting lazier with each passing year. Well, that's probably not accurate, just would rather spend money on audio stuffs right now. Vintage audio ownership is much like vintage car ownership, it's always something, never works as advertised, difficult to find people who service it and expensive when you do. But when it does work, woo!

Got a source? Only thing I’m seeing involving R-134a and the year 2024 is refrigeration manufacturers can’t make new chillers using R-134a and need to use a different refrigerant.

There’s still a ton of cars on the road utilizing R-134a and it seems very unlike to leave millions of road users stuck in the heat that quickly. It wasn’t until 2020 or 2021 that R-134a finally was no longer approved for use in new cars.

[Toploader]

134a being discontinued in Jan. 2024??? Argh, how much is a good amount to stockpile? Is it possible to convert old junk to yet another refrigerant that typical auto shops have? Looking like if not, I'll have to break down and buy some stuff so I can do it myself. Not easy, getting lazier with each passing year. Well, that's probably not accurate, just would rather spend money on audio stuffs right now. Vintage audio ownership is much like vintage car ownership, it's always something, never works as advertised, difficult to find people who service it and expensive when you do. But when it does work, woo!

Derek, that is why I semi stockpiled one pound cans of R12!..........right now I think I have maybe 30 cans. Fortunately the Avanti has been leak free for the past three years since I had my bud correct the leak inside of the hose at the receiver dryer and replace the York compressor..........looking back, maybe I should have gone with a Sanden compressor, but I wanted to keep the car as original as possible. As to 134, I may purchase a case of 24 cans, I do not want to spend any significiant money on a re-man compressor and receiver dryer.

[Toploader]

Got a source? Only thing I’m seeing involving R-134a and the year 2024 is refrigeration manufacturers can’t make new chillers using R-134a and need to use a different refrigerant.

There’s still a ton of cars on the road utilizing R-134a and it seems very unlike to leave millions of road users stuck in the heat that quickly. It wasn’t until 2020 or 2021 that R-134a finally was no longer approved for use in new cars.

Wolf you may be correct, what I read was some statement from the EPA

[gadget73]

The shaft seals on the FS6 are somewhat leak prone, but its also not really that difficult to re-seal one if the compressor is otherwise in good working shape. Kits are available for like 20 bucks. The manual tells you it needs special tools, but a socket of the right size is all you need. The front seal just pushes into a pocket and seals with an O ring. Just need something to shove the old one out. The new one will just push in by hand. I figured this out after going through the bother of custom machining a plastic installer tool.

one specific caveat to that, the 1987 Vic and Grand Marq don't actually use an FS-6. Its a Denso compressor that looks and fits like an FS6, but has smaller end caps. That needs a Denso 6E171 seal kit. The only difference is the O rings for the end caps. Assorted places have them for a range of prices ranging from cheap to "WTAF" prices depending on application. These were used on some 80s Porsche, and those get the WTAF prices.

https://www.shopcenturyautoair.com/store/p84/Denso_6E171_Gasket_Kit_K20-2005_%2F_MT2137.html

has them for 14 bucks, shaft seal not included but those aren't real expensive. Overall its like a $20 project.

[Toploader]

The shaft seals on the FS6 are somewhat leak prone, but its also not really that difficult to re-seal one if the compressor is otherwise in good working shape. Kits are available for like 20 bucks. The manual tells you it needs special tools, but a socket of the right size is all you need. The front seal just pushes into a pocket and seals with an O ring. Just need something to shove the old one out. The new one will just push in by hand. I figured this out after going through the bother of custom machining a plastic installer tool.

one specific caveat to that, the 1987 Vic and Grand Marq don't actually use an FS-6. Its a Denso compressor that looks and fits like an FS6, but has smaller end caps. That needs a Denso 6E171 seal kit. The only difference is the O rings for the end caps. Assorted places have them for a range of prices ranging from cheap to "WTAF" prices depending on application. These were used on some 80s Porsche, and those get the WTAF prices.

https://www.shopcenturyautoair.com/store/p84/Denso_6E171_Gasket_Kit_K20-2005_%2F_MT2137.html

has them for 14 bucks, shaft seal not included but those aren't real expensive. Overall its like a $20 project.

Thain my MGM is an '86 so I guess I do have a true FS6

[gadget73]

I honestly didn't know they had two options until I pulled the used compressor off my Continental and found the rebuild kit didn't fit. It came from an 87 Vic originally. Then I looked it up in the master parts manual and there was a different part number for 87-88 for the Vic and Grand Marq only, Lincolns kept the FS6. I have no idea why, same displacement, fits in the same brackets, other than the O rings its pretty much the same compressor.

[Toploader]

Candidly if the two cans of 134 that I put in yesterday can "last" all summer and then some, that will be fine, as long as I can get some comfort in the high heat of the summer, that being said....................being in NYC with the major bumper to bumper traffic, I do not run the a/c, I know its crazy, but the a/c comes on after I cross the 59th St Bridge and am on the LI Expressway. I am glad that I replaced the coffee can and the vac tap on the dash last year, now no matter what position the throttle is in the blower motor does not cut out!!............those coffee cans are HARD to find which are not as badly rotted out as my original one............I found two down in Arizona and bought both.

[friskyfrankie]

Candidly if the two cans of 134 that I put in yesterday can "last" all summer and then some, that will be fine, as long as I can get some comfort in the high heat of the summer, that being said....................being in NYC with the major bumper to bumper traffic, I do not run the a/c, I know its crazy, but the a/c comes on after I cross the 59th St Bridge and am on the LI Expressway. I am glad that I replaced the coffee can and the vac tap on the dash last year, now no matter what position the throttle is in the blower motor does not cut out!!............those coffee cans are HARD to find which are not as badly rotted out as my original one............I found two down in Arizona and bought both.

Speaking of "coffee cans", my friend's '88 CV has an issue when accelerating, the HVAC fan speed slows down to low. Obvious vacuum leak. Already replaced most if not all of his vacuum lines but have to make sure another didn't break close to the firewall (since they are thin like human hair). If not, could be the vacuum reservoir but as you say, finding them, in good shape, is like finding "hen's teeth"! I do have what I think is a Dorman plastic one but they are smaller so not sure how they work. Might have to find out though. By the way, I have already converted the system to R134a and you could keep meat in his car - it is that cold!

[Toploader]

Speaking of "coffee cans", my friend's '88 CV has an issue when accelerating, the HVAC fan speed slows down to low. Obvious vacuum leak. Already replaced most if not all of his vacuum lines but have to make sure another didn't break close to the firewall (since they are thin like human hair). If not, could be the vacuum reservoir but as you say, finding them, in good shape, is like finding "hen's teeth"! I do have what I think is a Dorman plastic one but they are smaller so not sure how they work. Might have to find out though. By the way, I have already converted the system to R134a and you could keep meat in his car - it is that cold!

Frank I may have a third can I will have to look, but you must determine if the vac device on the firewall is good. I had to replace the can and the vac tap.