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Mysterious lack of R12

I was going to change over my GolfGL 88 to R134 that I still may. I have certificate to buy R12 where you can find it.

Anyway, my car that *always* blew ice cold suddenly I found out after I put in a new belt. Have not tried it in several months, showed there was no refrigerant in it. It did not decline in temperature but last time used was ice cold. Because of the belt I have not tried it in several months.

I jumped the compressor and did a pressure test. Zero - a tiny hiss and that was that pushing in the high pressure valve.

My question: I just put a vacuum gauge on the car. It has held a perfect vacuum of about 2 hours?

Did someone steal my R12? Perhaps let out maliciously? I did have a hostile family member that did some deeds..

I am now temped just to replace the R12 and get it over with than fuss with the accumulator, retro kits, etc. I would probably take the compressor off and drain the oil too to change it to R134 besides change the accumulator.

Could there be a crack in the system that opens up under pressure? if so, there should be half or quarter a charge I would think. At least 30 psi of charge since if will hold a vacuum of such it should hold pressure of such. There was none and now it is holding a perfect vacuum.

Very mysterious.

R.

Reply to
Roger Rupert
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I worked on a system that had a leaky hose when pressure was applied. It would hold vacuum all day long, but when any pressure was applied, it would seperate and leak. Might try to add some air pressure and see if it holds or leaks and go from there. hth.

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Reply to
StyxNStones®

"StyxNStones®" wrote

I am glad I did not attach the gauges to the low when I pressurized it with about 120 psi. As I put air into the system the air valve was hissing on the low port. Evidently the inner valve screwed in the low side was a bit corroded. I removed it, cleaned it sprayed some thin lubricant on it and wiped it off. I should have replaced it but I ran out of replacement valves and it worked find after that hold all the pressure of 120 psi of air. I let it sit for a couple of hours and it did not budget. Also evidently, the suction (vacuum) was working on the other side of the valve apparently so it did not leak then when I did the previous vacuum test.

One would might think the rubber cap might seal the leaking corroded valve but it doesn't. I think I may do something a bit unorthodox and wrap one layer of Teflon tape around the outer threads where the cap goes on for a safeguard, though I am sure not needed

Just bought some R12 off Ebay having certification. This is the last time. Maybe next time. (though normally it seems to hold the charge forever). I will convert it, meanwhile I will have a bit colder air than 134. The A/C kicks ass very cold when running normally.

If I wanted to I could keep this A2 running forever.

Haaaaaa! I found 2 3a 4 cylinder Audi engines in an auto wrecker yard and they do not know what they are worth or what they are - 100 bucks a piece AND one has 73K - ain't telling where. One will go nice in my Rabbit I repainted.

R.

Reply to
Roger Rupert

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