04-25-2022 | #11 | |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 304
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Quote:
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04-25-2022 | #12 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,699
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
That was going to be my question regarding the 134a adapter. What sealer are u using for the adapter to the high side port?
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
04-26-2022 | #13 |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 304
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
I will be using Nylog Blue gasket and thread sealant. It is formulated to work with AC systems and will not contaminate the system. I used it on the new O rings I installed throughout the system.
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04-26-2022 | #14 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 887
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Good, informative thread.
Thanks for documenting your work 1991. I too had a leak via the high side schrader valve, and it took several different valve stems before it was fixed. (Hopefully it's still holding this year ...)
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1990 ZR-1 #2180 Red/Black Many of the usual mods for 460HP, tuned by Marc Haibeck ZR-1 Net Registry Member #1548 |
04-26-2022 | #15 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,699
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
I?m picking up the Dorman Zbrass fitting tomorrow from AZ.
Is it possible to check if system holds vacuum without connecting to high side valve fitting?
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
04-26-2022 | #16 | ||
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
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Thanks! Hopefully it helps someone else out. Quote:
Right now I have vacuum on the whole system, minus the hard line which is on the garage floor. I just removed the orifice tube from the evaporator line and plugged it. I then plugged the opening of the condenser connection for the high side and then I pulled vacuum off the accumulator and letting it sit. Doing this to make sure everything is playing nice now that I have tested all of the parts separately. Excessive, but I?m also the paranoid type when it comes to this kind of stuff. |
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04-27-2022 | #17 |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 304
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Installed the Dorman AC schrader plug and put a vacuum on the hard line while it?s on the garage floor. -30 inHg for about eight hours so I think we are good! My schrader valve removal tools show up tomorrow, so I think I am going to attempt to remove and replace the valve before I cap it and install back in the system.
If someone has the part for the valve core let me know. Otherwise, I think the larger of these valves will be the one I need to install. Last edited by 1991 Corvette ZR-1; 02-23-2024 at 10:33 PM. |
04-28-2022 | #18 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,699
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Quote:
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
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04-29-2022 | #19 | |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 304
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Quote:
I goofed on my vacuum testing of the hard line. I had the valve closed on the AC gauge while testing, so I only proved the gauge does not leak. So after replacing all the valve cores in this hard line, I still have a very slow leak. Next step after removing the pressure switches is submerging it in water and applying compressed air to it and watch for bubbles. Last edited by 1991 Corvette ZR-1; 02-23-2024 at 10:33 PM. |
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05-02-2022 | #20 |
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florida
Posts: 304
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Re: Troubleshooting AC leak before charging with R134a
Just a quick follow up the previous valve core replacement for the high side does NOT work. It is too tall and with gauge on it fully depressed it actually does not allow flow, which I never thought I would have to imagine that kind of scenario. I had to source a new valve core and it is Napa part number 209586. Exact replica for the old unit. About $4 for it and it seals nicely. It?s almost weird to have a high side valve that does NOT leak.
All of my valve cores leaked on the high pressure hard line. I will say this, this is a high mileage ZR-1, but by the time I go through every damn component on it, I will have restored some of the low mileage youth. Short of the engine internals, there isn?t anything I haven?t touched or serviced on this car. Last edited by 1991 Corvette ZR-1; 05-02-2022 at 06:17 PM. |
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