Replaced suction accumulator today

[thathotrodlincn]

Been fighting R134a refrigerant leak for a while. Decided to tear into it. Found the suction accumulator was rusted at the seam. Had a new part on the shelf , so tore into the system. Pulled the radiator tank, and proped it aside. Then removed the coolant tank for the aftercooler, removed the return hose from the evaporator, and the connection from the accumulator to the compressor. Then removed the two TORX screws from the mounting band around the accumulator, and lifted out the accumulator. Then disconnected the high pressure line at the orifice tube and installed a new orifice tube. Installed new o-rings at each joint disturbed, applying refrigeration lube during assembly. After everything was back together pulled vacuum on the system, and left the vacuum in the system for about 1 hour. Vacuum level changed about 3 inches over the hour with all gauge valves closed and vacuum pump off. After the hour, restarted the vacuum pump for about 10 minutes, the started adding R134. Ran the engine while adding the last half of the R134. Put in about the recommended 40oz (an EWAG). Outlet temp in the mid to high 30s. No visible or measurable leaks. Took about one hour plus the evacuation and filling time. Not a bad job, but need some special tools.

[RF Overlord]

Had to have that same job done on Phoebe last year for the same reason. Stupid place to put the accumulator. Fortunately there's a really good shop near me that charges reasonable rates and cares about customer satisfaction.

[Bluerauder]

Wait til Casey finds out that he has a suction accumulator in his car. :P

[CBT]

Been fighting R134a refrigerant leak for a while. Decided to tear into it.

What was the indications? EATC worked, but just moved hot air?


Wait til Casey finds out that he has a suction accumulator in his car. :P

Yeah post pictures! :beer:

[thathotrodlincn]

What was the indications? EATC worked, but just moved hot air?



Yeah post pictures! :beer:

Casey,

The air from the ac was progressively less cold and the low side refrigeration pressure was getting lower to the point the low side safety switch was cycling the compressor clutch more frequently.

[CBT]

Casey,

The air from the ac was progressively less cold and the low side refrigeration pressure was getting lower to the point the low side safety switch was cycling the compressor clutch more frequently.

Interesting. It seems mine is prone to clicking on and off more frequently as time goes by. Still blows cold, tho. Did you photograph your repair in progress?

[thathotrodlincn]

Interesting. It seems mine is prone to clicking on and off more frequently as time goes by. Still blows cold, tho. Did you photograph your repair in progress?

No pics. (I know - no pics, it does not exist). However, I can walk you thru it easily. Takes some special tooling. Do youu have the garter spring connector release tools and a vacuum pump? That and 8MM and 11mm sockets and a 18mm open end wrench and refrigeration gauge manifold? If so, you are good to go.
Short term, put some dye into the system and you can see exactly where it it leaking. No point in fixing the wrong thing.
Call or PM me if I can be of some help.

Bill

[CBT]

No pics. (I know - no pics, it does not exist). However, I can walk you thru it easily. Takes some special tooling. Do youu have the garter spring connector release tools and a vacuum pump? That and 8MM and 11mm sockets and a 18mm open end wrench and refrigeration gauge manifold? If so, you are good to go.
Short term, put some dye into the system and you can see exactly where it it leaking. No point in fixing the wrong thing.
Call or PM me if I can be of some help.

Bill

I was with you up to the highlighted part, lol. No, I have none of that but if mine starts pushing up daisy's it will give me an excuse to drive down and visit you's :beer:

[thathotrodlincn]

I was with you up to the highlighted part, lol. No, I have none of that but if mine starts pushing up daisy's it will give me an excuse to drive down and visit you's :beer:
Come on down. The latch string is always out. We would love to see you.:)

[Bradley G]

Yeah, some of us suck without pics!:lol:

[thathotrodlincn]

Yeah, some of us suck without pics!:lol:
Sorry, cannot take it back apart just for pics. I am just very unreasonible that way. Lazy too.

[Bradley G]

I hear ya!
I get so involved when wrenching,I forget to take pics.
If I do, I usually forget to take shots of the critical steps .

Sorry, cannot take it back apart just for pics. I am just very unreasonible that way. Lazy too.