When I got the 88gt last fall the a/c compressor was dead, shaft is broke or somthing, so yesterday I started flushing it w/break cleaner.

My question is how much of this stuff does it generally take to clear the system.

The orifice/screen was dirty and appeared to be just about plugged solid.

btw--I have a new dryer I'll be installing, and 8 oz. of 134 oil, as I understand the system requires 8 oz. with a total flush--please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks, Yucon

Besides the new receiver/dryer, you need a new orifice tube.

Flush the lines with a couple of cans of brakekleen and then blow the lines out with compressed air. You want to get the system completely clean and dried out. Checker probably sells an O ring kit for your Fiero--I got one last year for mine from Schuck's up in Wash. Any connection you open up needs new O rings--soak the o-ring in ester oil before installing.

8 oz of ester oil is okay. Split the oil between the compressor and the receiver/dryer.

When you get it all back together, you want to pull about 26 inches of vacuum for about 30 minutes. Close the valve and see if the system holds the vacuum. I like to leave it over night.

It should take about 3 cans of R134a to adequately charge the system. You may want to let an A/C shop do this part--134 doesn't cool as well as R12, so you really need to get the maximum amount of gas in the system. A good shop will be able to accomplish this.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

Brian Lamberts
RENO NV

Everything that Brian said is true, but I'd suggest using AC flush instead of brake clean. You need to pull the orifice tube and use the proper one for 134a anyway, so just throw it away. You need to flush all the lines as well as the condensor and evaporator and that could take a lot of brake cleaner. It takes quite a bit of AC flush solvent.

The Fiero can be a real PITA to flush if you don't break all your lines, but if you do you might have problems sealing them back up again. Your call. I usually break them if I know I've had a compressor come apart. A lot of people don't.

The accepted vacuum is 28-29 inches at sea level. Lower that by 1" for every 1,000' above sea level you are. Not a lot of difference for most people, but if you live in Denver, for instance, makes a significant amount of difference.

You can leave it overnight like Brian said and if it holds, that's good, but don't be surprised if it loses some vacuum. The reason is that the compressor seals are made to keep pressure from the inside going out, not outside going in, so they may leak a bit. Normally, if you hold a solid vacuum for 30 minutes, you'll be fine (with all the valves off, etc.).

For the rest, follow Brian's tips, he didn't steer you wrong.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by jstricker: Everything that Brian said is true, but I'd suggest using AC flush instead of brake clean. You need to pull the orifice tube and use the proper one for 134a anyway, so just throw it away. You need to flush all the lines as well as the condensor and evaporator and that could take a lot of brake cleaner. It takes quite a bit of AC flush solvent. The Fiero can be a real PITA to flush if you don't break all your lines, but if you do you might have problems sealing them back up again. Your call. I usually break them if I know I've had a compressor come apart. A lot of people don't. The accepted vacuum is 28-29 inches at sea level. Lower that by 1" for every 1,000' above sea level you are. Not a lot of difference for most people, but if you live in Denver, for instance, makes a significant amount of difference. You can leave it overnight like Brian said and if it holds, that's good, but don't be surprised if it loses some vacuum. The reason is that the compressor seals are made to keep pressure from the inside going out, not outside going in, so they may leak a bit. Normally, if you hold a solid vacuum for 30 minutes, you'll be fine (with all the valves off, etc.). For the rest, follow Brian's tips, he didn't steer you wrong. John Stricker

Definitely use A/C flush and not brakleen because it won't clean it properly and may leave residue. It needs the pressure of shop air to flush it all through.

phil

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87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd
0-60 in 6.8 seconds!

Today I ran about 16 oz. of a/c flush through the system and everything ran clear, except for the evaporator, I never got it to completely clear.

I'm thinking there is a little of the flush still in the system. I can't get it all out, so should I consider this when adding oil, and cut the 8 oz. down to about 6 oz.?

Thanks, Yucon

btw I got the lone of a set of gauges, and a batch of 134, so I'm going to try charging it myself--got a 10 min. crash course from the equipment owner. I'll let yall know what happens.

Don't allow anything for the flush. It's my experience that when you pull a vacuum, most of it will boil off leaving only a slight residue.

When you say you got the loan of the equipment, you also got a vacuum pump, right? don't even try to do it without sucking the system down.

You've got the adapter fittings and new orifice tube as well, right?

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by Yucon Eric: Today I ran about 16 oz. of a/c flush through the system and everything ran clear, except for the evaporator, I never got it to completely clear. I'm thinking there is a little of the flush still in the system. I can't get it all out, so should I consider this when adding oil, and cut the 8 oz. down to about 6 oz.? Thanks, Yucon btw I got the lone of a set of gauges, and a batch of 134, so I'm going to try charging it myself--got a 10 min. crash course from the equipment owner. I'll let yall know what happens.

Yes I have a pump, and the car had the change over to 134 about 2 yrs, ago. I bought an orifice and a new dryer, I also have the oil and a strong desire to get this job finished, but at this point I couldn't get the alt. to move enought to replace a broken a/c belt. The top alt bolt is froze--I'll take care of it tomorrow.

Yucon

will you AC people help me on my thread too???
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/034967.html

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Buddy *there are two "G"s in my name*
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