Reply to "A/C issues"

Larry,

I'm using this r/d

http://tinyurl.com/55r4tm

This expansion valve should be correct, but I bought mine off eBay

http://tinyurl.com/5wa454

Replacement sticky tape -

http://tinyurl.com/54pvha

Valve CAN be removed with dash in place. First, take some Motrin for the pained, sprained back you are going to get.

Remove passenger seat and glove box. Remove old sticky cork tape. Free capillary tube from its friction clamp holding it in place on freon line, note position. Get your large open-end wrenches and undo fittings on both ends of valve. CAREFUL - do not twist soft, delicate copper pipe off of the evaporator. Tightness of area means many short throw wrench movements, and very difficult bracing, repositioning-flipping of wrenches. Not fun.

Fine mesh screen is within one end of the valve, remove with dental pick. This valve is known to clog, and that could be the reason your pop-off valve on the r/d blew. If screen is clogged, clean with solvent and air. The valve is likely still good - replace per your preference, but new one will probably not have screen. I reused mine.

R-134 is scheduled for phase out in Europe in about five years, and soon thereafter here in USA. So my thought is to just stay with R-12 as it is the best, and both will soon enter the 'obsolete, no longer made' category. eBay, in the Winter, is a fine place to buy the 12/14 ounce r-12 cans. I've got about 18 of them stashed.

New drier will not have safety valve. It will have two ports. You can add a high/low pressure switch and wire it into your system per article at Panteraplace.

Switches here -

http://tinyurl.com/53tlt5

New drier may have sight glass painted over - remove round piece of black-painted tape. Don't ask me how I know this.

PM me if you have other questions.

Larry