Bought this 1985 245 not long ago - time to recharge the A/C system. Currently it does not function and I have not vacuumed or tested the system. I do know the compressor has engaged before - but no cool air. I have purposefully been avoiding using the compressor until I can service the system.

The system does have pressure. My guess is not enough coolant (R12).

I want to do the routine: Change the o-rings, drier, flush the condensor. I won't mess with the compressor since this is not an R134 conversion. I did my 1987 740 not long ago - and it was a bit different.

Questions:
1- How many O-rings are there. I'll get a kit, but I count 4 under the hood. 2 at the drier, 2 at the compressor. Ooops. Must be 2 more at the condensor. 6 Total?

2- Is the evaporator easily accessible and are there o-rings to replace there?

3- Is there an expansion valve/orifice tube like the 740?



What else would be a standard procedure? Should I flush the evaporator?

Thanks!
Jamie

You first ought to put a gauge on the thing and with the engine off, read how much pressure is in the system. let me know and I can look it up and see roughly how much refrigerant is remaining. If it's not that far down, you may not need to go through all that work, may just need to be topped off. It's not out of line for a 22 year old vehicle to be down a bit.
If the compressor engaged before, chances are the refrigerant charge was on it's way down to the point of not being enough to trigger the switch.
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '86 740 GLE turbo diesel, '92 Ford F350 diesel dually

Different animal in the 85 240. The 1991-1993 had a 740 type system, 1985 is an expansion valve system.

There is an expansion valve in the cabin as BC said, don't mess with it.

I would buy a full O-ring set (all the sizes in bulk). About the same or a little more, than just buying individual ones from a store. After that, vac and refill system with oil and refrigerant. If you want to flush, fine, if you suspect no problems with the system, no compressor failure (or impending failure), or if you suspect no problems relating to a system that is open to the atmosphere, then you can probably vaccuum and refill w/ refrigerant and oil after replacing drier with no problems.

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Chris Herbst
Scottsdale, AZ

Are you in a loction where R-12 refrigerant is available and at a reasonable price? Here in Texas, if it's only a short trip to Mexico that's one route. Otherwise one takes the poor vehicle to a shop (they ae licensed) where they will install more R-12 at something like $80 for a 12-ounce can. Then you will be poor, too.

OR - one can take the plunge and use a R-12 substitute like Freeze-12 or one of the others.

If you install new "O" rings, use the ones for R134, they're OK for R-12 and will be there if you decide to convert later. Compressor gets 2, receiver/drier gets 2, evaporator gets 2 (I think), and get 2 more just in case.

Since there is still pressure in the system, you must be careful to get a shop to evacuate it, recovering the R-12. Rapid loss of refrigerant will also remove a lot of the refrigeration oil, requiring the addition of more. R-oil is of one type for R-12, another type for R134. R-12 type mioght be hard to find.

If you open the system you will need to install a new receiver/drier.

Access to the evaporater fittings is from the right front foot well, best done by a flexible person (not me!). Remove knee pad and kick panel on the center control panel. Look at the upper left corner. The E-valve is wrapped with insulating black sticy stuff. If removed it must be repalced or the condensation will drip on someone's feet. It is quite cold!

The system uses an expansion valve. There is a silver tube from the valve to the A/C switch on the control panel - do not break it. Inside is refrigerant, it's not a wire. Break = new a/c switch, another PITA.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)