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AC difficulties 900 1997

1997 965

I was in the process of adding R134A to the AC system for compressor cycling off and on, and noticed some things things.

(1)It was cooling but not that well.
(2)The liquid line (the smaller line) has frost accumulating on it at the firewall connection. The frost went back several inches towards the front of the car.
(3)The drier was not cool to the touch.
(4)I stopped adding R134A at 32 PSI and that is being maintained (no compressor short cycling)

The car was set for maximum cooling during the recharge. After an hour I tried again with the CCU set on 76 the fluid line started frosting up again.

Is the orifice tube located at the fire wall? Is the orifice tube the likely culprit, if it is indeed located at the firewall?

Thanks in advance.

Fred








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AC difficulties 900 1997

Orifice Valve is inside the bulge on the line sitting on the frame rail (passenger side). I would replace that with a Variable Orifice Valve (VOV, about $ 20 vs $ 2). It sounds like the screen is ripped in yours.

How is cooling at road speed?

--
1998 V90, 151k miles








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AC difficulties 900 1997

Hi Henry 10,

I was hoping you would chime in, thanks for the always appreciated information.

The AC would just barely cool at road speeds, regardless of thermostat settings. I did a bit of research on this problem and found out about the VOV and I am in possession of one. It was $22.nn from O'Reilly's Auto Parts, and I had to ask the parts guy to research it for me, otherwise it would have been the $2.00 USD variety. He actually seemed surprised, I wanted the more expensive part.

Should I add oil to the install along with the filter/drier I am waiting on? If yes, is there a way to gauge the amount of oil to add? I intend to use a scale to measure the freon going back in, I also have a vacuum pump which I will use to pull a vacuum prior to freon replacement.

The PO had the AC compressor replaced at the dealership, in 2005. Up until last year the performance was stellar. When on the road the performance would deteriorate to no cooling. On short trips it seemed O.K IIRC. I replaced the firewall vacuum lines and one way valves (one had failed closed), the CCU and discovered the dome light vacuum line for the feedback thermistor was occluded by dust. After those correction all was well, until last week.

Must be the year for AC repair for me, the home unit need a new run capacitor (it was open) in April.

Thanks for your help.

Fred








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AC difficulties 900 1997

You need to find out what compressor was put in yours. Then go to Page 131 in this https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6pyJeQUq390NmQwY2UzOTQtMTQ5Yy00ZWUzLWJiZGUtOTk2Njc5ODcxOGQy, to find the correct amount of oil you need.

If Sanden, PAG-100 oil is the correct one. Enviro-Safe sells some gizmo to measure amount of oil in system. Pit-stop is the name IIRC. About $ 2.

Inadequate cooling at road speed is not an Orifice issue. Most likely you have a leak and losing refrigerant. You need to find the leak first.
--
1998 V90, 151k miles








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AC difficulties 900 1997

Sorry about the delay in follow up.

I ordered a new drier, and bought a variable orifice tube. Installed those pulled a vacuum for 45 minutes, and monitored for the same amount of time with no leakage. Took the car to a shop and had the proper amount of R134A installed. Now it works like a dream. Hot weather will be here (Georgia) soon enough so I will get a chance to see if the variable orifice tube makes a difference. Thanks for the information all.








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AC difficulties 900 1997

Glad you were successful. Thanks for posting back.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100








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Thanks for the replies, and a few other ???? 900 1997

Just another question or two, at this point. Are there any special tools required to remove the lines? Secondly, what fluid/solvent does one use to flush the system prior to vacuum/recharge? What procedure is used to flush the system?

I will also be replacing all o-rings and drier during this repair.

Thanks in advance

Fred








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Thanks for the replies, and a few other ???? 900 1997

No special tools are needed to replace the Orifice valve or the drier. I've never flushed an A/C system so the only advice I can offer is to Google it.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100








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Thanks for the replies, and a few other ???? 900 1997

I just replaced my compressor, receiver/dryer and orifice tube. Spoke to numberous a/c experts. All said the same thing. If the old orifice is still clean and yellow in color, all told me flushing is not needed. Unless your compressor spit out metal, etc. If I did need to flush, you can buy the special solvent. These guys told me too use spray brake cleaner into the lines, and an air compressor to blow it all out. Don't leave the brake cleaner sit very long.
All advice given, it's free, take that for what it cost you.
--
Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.








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Thanks for the replies, and a few other ???? 900 1997

Thanks for the replies, well that makes things a little less complicated. Hopefully, I will replace the orifice tube tomorrow.

Thanks again

Fred








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AC difficulties 900 1997

I'm not certain about your 960, but in the 940s the orifice is midpoint in the AC line running between the condenser and firewall. In the 700 series it is in the fitting at the firewall. Look for a connection in the AC tube about even with the front struts.
--
john








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AC difficulties 900 1997

The orifice tube is located in the metal tube with a 'wide spot' in it that is located on the frame rail just below and forward of the dryer. It's fairly easy to replace.

If your orifice valve has debris in it you may also want to consider flushing your system before reassembling it.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100







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