Air Conditioning: What Can You Tell Me? (Page 1/1)
Jeffdylanproctor JUL 15, 11:01 AM
The last big thing needed to turn this 86 GT into a daily driver is Air Conditioning, and not just because of the heat, but very much the humidity.

The previous owner said the A/C worked when he was driving it regularly, but that was a decade ago. Everything up front appears to have been convereted to r134, but when I tried to add refrigerant, it all leaked out immediately. I think I heard hissing in the engine bay, but it was rather hard to tell over the exhuast volume.

So I ordered a remanufactured compressor kit (the one that arrived is pictured), and did the exciting job of extracting the compressor only to find out that the one in my car is slightly different from the one that came in the mail. It's missing one of the ports on the back, either for the fan control switch or pressure switch, and has neither a slot for the c clip nor the holes in the port to activate the swtich. So that's fun. I wish I knew how many different A/C compressor options there were.

It's a great Friday night removing these compressors if the bolts on on the top they are seized to the bracket (aren't the direction of these bolts wonderful?). But, you can remove the three 15mm bolts that hold the bracket to the engine and just take out the compressor and bracket together-- or at least get it to where you rotate it into a better position to loosen the seized bolts.

But I learned some things.

The sealing washers (pictured in the bag) which connect to the back of the compressor are totally gone. They've been long crushed flat and hard and appear to have minimal sealing potential, if even that. So this may be where the leak is?

Also the orifice tube was all kinds of nasty.

I put the factory compressor back on the car, I don't know why, but I don't like things being down and apart so I did. But it needs these washers and an orifice tube for sure.

Back when I tried to charge the system (before all this removal), the factory comrpessor would turn on and was doing its job for little while before it all leaked out. Though I suppose it could yet be roasted, and was enjoying one final labor before taking its place in the eternal night.

What does the condition of the orifice tube tell you about the condition of the compressor?


[This message has been edited by Jeffdylanproctor (edited 07-15-2023).]

Vintage-Nut JUL 15, 04:02 PM
Maybe this thread will help...

"AC Compressor Switches by RWDPLZ"
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/117640.html

The "Introduction" starts with:

The Fiero was available with air conditioning all model years, 1984 through 1988. During that time, there were three compressors used: DA6, HR6, and V5. The DA6 compressor was used on 84 and 85 four cylinder cars, and 85-87 V6 cars, until some time in the 1987 model year, when GM changed over to the HR6 compressor, an improved version of the DA6, which was used on late 1987 V6 cars and 88 V6 cars. The following applies only to the DA6 and HR6 compressors, NOT the V5.

Being externally nearly identical, both the DA6 and HR6 compressors function the same way, and are interchangeable. However, the more reliable HR6 is recommended any time repair or replacement is needed. The HR6 is also rated for use with R-134A refrigerant when doing a retrofit.

Both compressors use two switches mounted in the back as safety devices: the low pressure cut-off switch, and the high-pressure cut-off switch. These switches are interchangeable between compressors.

EDIT:
In this thread, is another post:
"What A/C compressor do I have?...plus more dumb A/C questions! by randye"
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/107037.html

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 07-15-2023).]

Jeffdylanproctor JUL 15, 05:08 PM
Alright, so after studying that it appears those switches aren't the most necessary things in the world, so I might as well go ahead and install this remanufactured compressor as soon the new sealing washers arrive.
steve308 JUL 15, 05:29 PM
That orifice tube tell me that that system must be flushed thoroughly before you hook up and run that new to you compressor. That much debris is a sign of major contamination.
theogre JUL 15, 11:32 PM
The O-tube looks like Black Death of old Compressor and system needs more then Flushing or can kill every new compressor.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

sdgdf JUL 23, 02:59 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

The O-tube looks like Black Death of old Compressor and system needs more then Flushing or can kill every new compressor.




That’s not really that horrible. Here’s some real black death:
Jeffdylanproctor JUL 23, 06:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by sdgdf:


That’s not really that horrible. Here’s some real black death:





Wow mine was not that severe, but I that's crazy.
Jeffdylanproctor JUL 23, 07:03 PM
My big issue now is that the AC clutch won't get voltage to the wires, even though the relay is clicking. I don't know if it's a plug issue or what. Crazy. I'm hoping to look into it this week.