Recharging a Delorean AC system (r134a)

[Stephen Rice]

One of the benefits of converting a Delorean's AC to r134a is it is very cheap to refill the system should you have a small leak.  If you are still running r12 you are paying at least $30 a can for a 12 ounce can if you can even find the stuff.  I've seen 12 ounce cans of r134a for as little as $4.50 a can at Sam's club and as expensive as $15 at AutoZone.  My current stash of r134a consists of cans I paid between $8 and $11 a can for.

 

People with leaking AC systems have two options.  Spend hundreds of dollars for new AC hoses and risk screwing something up in the process of changing them out or spend a few dollars on a nice recharge hose and refill the system.

 

My car has a minor leak and it takes less than one can a year to refill it.  Although I have a fancy smancy set of AC gauges, I use this simple trigger gauge from Walmart.  I believe I paid about $16 for it and I consider it to be a really handy tool.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Deluxe-R-134a-Recharge-Hose-and-Gauge/16888796

 

The beauty of this recharge hose/gauge is you can check actual pressure in the system before adding r134a.  If there is still some pressure in the system you can usually top it off.  If there is zero pressure in the system a simple top off will not work.  A system with zero pressure would need to be vacuumed first, and as long as the leak isn't too bad it could safely be refilled.

 

-Steve Rice

Proudly banned from DMCTalk

#16510

 

[Stephen Rice]

Today I got word from Drew that his AC compressor isn't cycling.  He went back there, put a gauge on it and it shows about 40 lbs of pressure with it not cycling.  When he ran a 12v wire directly to the compressor it didn't kick on and the clutch didn't even make a clicking noise.  I'm guessing this is a pretty good sign it is time to replace his AC compressor but I thought I would check with you guys.   No click does mean it is bad?  Right?

If he does need to replace the compressor he could save some money buy purchasing one on eBay and swapping the back plate from his old one to the new one.

Sanden 508 Compressor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290888111687?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Back plate gasket
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150993130149?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

The combined cost for these two items is about $135 after shipping.  I've ordered these items for myself and plan to replace my AC compressor sometime this summer or at Darren's house should my AC fail this weekend.  How many other Delorean owners do you know of who carry spare parts such as brake pads, a fuel pump, and AC compressor with them on trips?

-Steve Rice
Proudly banned from DMCTalk
#16510

[Farrar Hudkins]

Once upon a time, you could buy that backplate from Nostalgic Air Parts. It looks like their website is down, though.

And once upon a time, you could buy compressor gaskets from O'Reilly. They don't carry them anymore. (And O'Reilly took the DMC-12 off of their list of vehicles last year.)

Are these dark times for DeLorean owners?

Farrar Hudkins
#2613

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[Stephen Rice]

I wonder if this is the backplate Farrar was talking about?

http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air-conditioning/sanden-sd-508-vertrical-gm-pad-back-16.php

My 31 year old SD510 compressor is still working but I have a new SD508 compressor laying around the house.  If this is the correct backplate, I'm thinking about ordering it and installing it on my SD508 just to have a spare compressor that is ready to go.

I'm driving to the DMCMW open house next month and it would be nice to have a prepped AC compressor to carry with me should my 31 year old AC compressor decide to bite the dust.

-Steve Rice
#16510

[Bill Robertson]

Looks correct. My experience has been that compressors eventually start to leak at the shaft seal, just like a crankshaft or water pump seal, rather than suddenly fail. Replacements are so cheap (my Lincoln compressors only cost $79) that I just replace the whole unit rather than tear it apart to install a new seal.

Bill.

[Stephen Rice]

I went ahead and ordered it this morning for $37.99 including shipping.  My 31 year old AC compressor is still going strong but I travel and don't want to be without AC should it fail on my drive to the DMCMW open house next month.

 

I plan to put this backplate on my SD508 compressor that I bought off of eBay, put ester oil in it, and carry it around as a spare.  I will probably be the only Delorean owner who carries a spare AC compressor.  Total cost for my spare AC compressor comes to $161.99 including shipping.

 

-Steve Rice

#16510