aircon leak

Hey guys,
I'm Andy, first time posting
Just bought a 1990 300zx tt manual with 90k on the clock, very impressed with it so far. However, I went to get the cars aircon regassed the other day but the mechanic said it was leaking aircon gas by the compressor. I think (and hope) it might be hose leading into the compressor. Just wondering how hard and what is involved to get to that hose to replaced. I went and got a quote from adelaide zcars and he said $600 to replace the compressor and hoses ( plus regas ). Don't really want to be spending that kind of money on the aircon, when I hear they are extremely prone to leaks due to the immense under the bonnet
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this subject has already been covered, couldn't find a similar thread.

Cheers

 

Did you say 90k kilometres on the clock?

Does the car look and feel like a tight 6-9 year old car?

The air con regas guy should have been able to advise you, since he found the leak.
They run a dye through the system to find the leaks.

 

yes 92k on the clock, it feels as new. Everything feels stock, interior is all original and is very good condition. I bought it from was a 50yr old guy who used it as a weekend cruiser.
The paint is pretty good for a 20yr old car, a few patches need to be attended to on the spoiler.

The aircon guy only put the neutral gas (without the dye) in the system to see if it would hold it's charge before putting the aircon gas in. He said he could hear it leaking out near the compressor so he didn't re-gas it. I might go get a second opinion somewhere.

 

could be as simple as the o-rings at the compressor. Generally means they all will need replacing.
Also, old AC system is R12 (now illegal gas). Have the option of R134A retrofit or have heard that Hychill is also an option.

........ Hate to say it, but would be placing some very serious doubt on the k's being genuine.

 

I would do the orings on the whole system as you have to put 134A in . You also need a new Dryer and possibly new oil in compressor .

I have just been thru this and my aircon is cold and works well . best investment imo .

From what I have been told Hychill is still regarded as a new alternate gas and not the standard 134A that is in all cars atm . Hychill seems to have a condensing issue which can be a problem for some systems to return the gas to a liquid .

 

Yeah i know what your saying. 92k for a 300zxtt manual seems quite rare. I'm not sure if it's genuine or not, probably been reset when it was imported or something.

Kakaboy did you replace the o-rings yourself or get a mechanic to do it? how much did the whole aircon rebuild cost you? mine has been retrofitted with R134A

 

Did it all myself . The AC guy just come out and Vac tested and then regassed

Orings $20 max , Dryer $50 , Oil $40 . I have some here if you need it . System only takes 100ml and you already have 134A fittings so your good to go .

Regas $200

 

probably a fair price if it includes a reconditioned compressor

 

I paid close to $600 for my R134 retrofit
That included all new o-rings
RX/TX valve
Receiver Dryer
Clutch for AC compressor reconditioned

 

I guess $600 does seem like a reasonable price then.
I just hope it doesnt leak again a few months down the track.

Cheers for the help guys, really appreciated.

 

"Hychill" is a simple tradename for a mix of propane and butane gas. "(approx 70/30)
Its a straight drop in replacement for R12 and works well. Compatible with existing o-rings and compressor oil. Why its not more popular and rendering R134a totally obsolete is beyond me.........

E

 

Anyone rebuilt their own aircon compressor? Is it just general things like seals and bearings? It's not something I've really looked into.

 

I asked the question many times years ago and always got the answer, not worth the bother.

As a rule, the only seviceable bits are the front shaft seals and front pulley/clutch assembly.
I have seen the endplates pulled off and new o-rings installed there as well.

Ryzan,
I suspect your exactly right!!! Still beats me tho!!

E

 

Where can you take it to get the aircon regassed with "Hychill"...is it much cheaper than the standard 100-150 mark for regas of r134?

 

Hi and welcome to the hallucinogen that is the Z. If you are down south, and haven't already, you should take it to Barry at Adelaide Z Cars and have him give it the once over.:zlove:

 

see first post ... been there, done dat.

 

thanks zeo...
yes already spoke to Barry, probably will bring it down to him soon....bought many parts from him when I was restoring my 280zx..