Ice, Ice, Ice, Baby: Milano AC retrofit

[alfacybersite <acs@domain.elided>]

I would like to second Joe Elliott's questions below regarding Mark
Denovich's 'article' in #990:

"Details to follow, but I successfully recharged a '90 Audi 80 with
ES-12a this evening.  (The GTV6 is next, but it needs some major AC
work before it's ready to be charged.)  Mark--I'd love to know how
you determined how much refrigerant to use, and whether you pulled a
vaccuum to eliminate moisture, etc."

********

First, I'm guessing Mark went simply on the old bubbles in the sight
glass method as he pretty well points out. I have been told that on
especially 164's one doesn't want to overfill since there is no room for
'expansion'. Should this be the case, wouldn't this be the same for all
AC systems? So when does someone stop? (And don't say, "When you need
glasses").

In my case, I'll be going from a totally empty AC system on my Alfetta
GT. I've had the lines to the dryer just dangling there for about five
years since I've kept the rubber plugs on the 'new' (unused) dryer
itself. Therefore, I'm very concerned about 'purging' the system first
before adding refrigerant.

Mark, I'm a little vague on the removal of the existing 'valve core'. Is
it on the compressor or the adapter / filling unit? And if you remove
the valve core, what do you put in it's place? Basically I'd like to
have everything in front of me when I start.

Okay, five years ago I modified my factory original York compressor by
removing it and replacing it with a Japanese Sankyo compressor unit from
a mid 80's Saab from a local Pick-A-Part. True, my mounting is a bit
off, but we'll deal with that later.

I also removed and saved (most) of the oil in the compressor. What was
saved measures 55 ml. How do I know how much oil to add? I'm assuming it
comes in pressurized cans. How many oz. is 55 ml?

I've been told the 'new improved' R-134a will work in older units
without having to change seals, hoses, etc. While I've not checked it
out, gather it is easily available. Should one not use it because it
actually does harm seals, etc. or because it really doesn't cool all
that well, or is it in fact almost as good as ES-12a and will work fine?

The Alfetta GT AC system needs all the help it can get, just to get a
breath of coolish air coming in on a hot day.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided