Today I mostly .....
Re: Today I mostly .....
I'm pretty sure they did do a leak test and found none. I put it down to age
Regards.
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
Re: Today I mostly .....
while it does lose it effectiveness over time, the mass doesnt change, it wouldnt be that low unless its gone somewhere, or the oil in it is worn and effecting your filter drier. is your system charged with R-134 A? or r-12 or 22? was it originally one of the latter converted to use the former?
'92 niva, 93 escort lx wagon, both were bargain finds, less than 1000 USD for both, new to working on cars, need all the help i can get and more
Re: Today I mostly .....
I have no idea what air-con gas is in the system
Does the oil also lube the aircon pump & clutch as well?
Does the oil also lube the aircon pump & clutch as well?
Regards.
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
Re: Today I mostly .....
This evening I finally got around to checking the timing on the Saab, finally deciding to investigate the particularly "pingy" noise that seems to be emitted from the front silencer.
Book says timing should be set to 20° BTDC at 2000rpm, vacuum advance unit disconnected. Investigating with a strobe showed it to be hovering between 26° and 27°. Hmmm...
Certain amount of highly technical wiggling of the distributor assembly (just three bolts to loosen off and the whole thing rotates freely), and I've got it to between 18° and 19° which is rather closer to the mark.
No noticeable change in the sound to be honest, but there *is* a big difference to how the car drives - there's a LOT more low and midrange torque. To be honest I hadn't expected the slightest bit of a change, but around town at least this is the difference between the car feeling "not sluggish" to feeling "really reasonably quick."
Very brief video sound-check below. Hoping to get a reasonable on-board video at the weekend when it's actually driving if I get time.
Book says timing should be set to 20° BTDC at 2000rpm, vacuum advance unit disconnected. Investigating with a strobe showed it to be hovering between 26° and 27°. Hmmm...
Certain amount of highly technical wiggling of the distributor assembly (just three bolts to loosen off and the whole thing rotates freely), and I've got it to between 18° and 19° which is rather closer to the mark.
No noticeable change in the sound to be honest, but there *is* a big difference to how the car drives - there's a LOT more low and midrange torque. To be honest I hadn't expected the slightest bit of a change, but around town at least this is the difference between the car feeling "not sluggish" to feeling "really reasonably quick."
Very brief video sound-check below. Hoping to get a reasonable on-board video at the weekend when it's actually driving if I get time.
LOZ: Oddball cars, lighting information, and anything else I remember to upload!
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Re: Today I mostly .....
John,
The oil also lubricates the compressor, the clutch is external to it and doesn't generally need any lubrication.
How old is the car? Automotive systems generally aren't hermetically sealed like domestic systems so will loose a *bit* of gas over time, if the car is a reasonable age and it's the first time it's ever had to be regassed, I probably wouldn't be worrying. Worth keeping an eye out for anything obvious like oil staining around the compressor's driveshaft as leakage there would generally be evidenced by oily marks, or stone damage to the condenser as it's right on the front of the car (being aluminium as they often are doesn't really help the resistance to stone damage either).
The opinions regarding the combined accumulator/receiver and drier assemblies fitted to cars vary. The official line from Saab regarding the units on the 9-3 is that the unit should be replaced if the system has been open to the atmosphere for more than 15 minutes as the desiccant component will have then become saturated. Replacement isn't a standard procedure unless the system has been breached. Given that it's a pretty cheap part I would probably just change it anyway, but obviously that means two visits to the garage, one to have the system vacced down, then once you've fitted the new accumulator/receiver you need to go back to get the thing leak tested and charged. Either that or get them to do the lot, cost will probably vary depending on how well buried in the car it is. I've been lucky in that the only car I've done this on it was literally a case of disconnecting both connections on it, uncapping the new one, bolting it in and charging the system. Removal of the old one and installation of the new one took a total of about five minutes. Have seen them plenty well buried on some cars though!
The oil also lubricates the compressor, the clutch is external to it and doesn't generally need any lubrication.
How old is the car? Automotive systems generally aren't hermetically sealed like domestic systems so will loose a *bit* of gas over time, if the car is a reasonable age and it's the first time it's ever had to be regassed, I probably wouldn't be worrying. Worth keeping an eye out for anything obvious like oil staining around the compressor's driveshaft as leakage there would generally be evidenced by oily marks, or stone damage to the condenser as it's right on the front of the car (being aluminium as they often are doesn't really help the resistance to stone damage either).
The opinions regarding the combined accumulator/receiver and drier assemblies fitted to cars vary. The official line from Saab regarding the units on the 9-3 is that the unit should be replaced if the system has been open to the atmosphere for more than 15 minutes as the desiccant component will have then become saturated. Replacement isn't a standard procedure unless the system has been breached. Given that it's a pretty cheap part I would probably just change it anyway, but obviously that means two visits to the garage, one to have the system vacced down, then once you've fitted the new accumulator/receiver you need to go back to get the thing leak tested and charged. Either that or get them to do the lot, cost will probably vary depending on how well buried in the car it is. I've been lucky in that the only car I've done this on it was literally a case of disconnecting both connections on it, uncapping the new one, bolting it in and charging the system. Removal of the old one and installation of the new one took a total of about five minutes. Have seen them plenty well buried on some cars though!
LOZ: Oddball cars, lighting information, and anything else I remember to upload!
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Re: Today I mostly .....
Hi Zel.
The car is a 2008 model and yes its the first time its been re-gassed. I've not seen any oil staining on the drive. I have no idea were the drier is, will have a look in the Haynes book of truth's. I'm not worried, just don't want a seized aircon pump clutch through lack of use.
The car is a 2008 model and yes its the first time its been re-gassed. I've not seen any oil staining on the drive. I have no idea were the drier is, will have a look in the Haynes book of truth's. I'm not worried, just don't want a seized aircon pump clutch through lack of use.
Regards.
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
Re: Today I mostly .....
Totally failed at putting vinyl tint on the Bora's rear lights.
Why do they have to be that shape?
Nobody ships the tint in aerosol cans to Ireland either, grrrr.
____________________________________________
EDIT: Better results with a hair dryer.
Why do they have to be that shape?
Nobody ships the tint in aerosol cans to Ireland either, grrrr.
____________________________________________
EDIT: Better results with a hair dryer.
Re: Today I mostly .....
John,
Doubt you'd see anything on the drive given how little there is in the system. I'd suggest just keeping an eye on it. One of the best ways to keep an a/c system in good shape is to use it regularly as that keeps the seals on the compressor lubricated.
If the efficiency of the system has just gradually dropped over time I would worry less, if it took a dive off a cliff more recently that's more of a worry as you might have had a larger leak leading to that refrigerant being lost more quickly.
Another favourite for leaks is people not screwing the covers on the service ports properly. The valves in there (and on commercial systems!) are quite prone to leaking a little over time. Having the covers properly screwed onto the ports can help.
Reckon you should be fine just to keep an eye on it for the time being.
The drier is usually built into the accumulator/receiver on automotive systems. Usually a black or silver cylindrical object with two hoses going into it, generally looks like a really, really beefy aerosol can. Generally they're not a million miles away from the condenser, so behind the front bumper is probably a favourite. Following the pipes is probably the easiest way to find it.
Doubt you'd see anything on the drive given how little there is in the system. I'd suggest just keeping an eye on it. One of the best ways to keep an a/c system in good shape is to use it regularly as that keeps the seals on the compressor lubricated.
If the efficiency of the system has just gradually dropped over time I would worry less, if it took a dive off a cliff more recently that's more of a worry as you might have had a larger leak leading to that refrigerant being lost more quickly.
Another favourite for leaks is people not screwing the covers on the service ports properly. The valves in there (and on commercial systems!) are quite prone to leaking a little over time. Having the covers properly screwed onto the ports can help.
Reckon you should be fine just to keep an eye on it for the time being.
The drier is usually built into the accumulator/receiver on automotive systems. Usually a black or silver cylindrical object with two hoses going into it, generally looks like a really, really beefy aerosol can. Generally they're not a million miles away from the condenser, so behind the front bumper is probably a favourite. Following the pipes is probably the easiest way to find it.
LOZ: Oddball cars, lighting information, and anything else I remember to upload!
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Current fleet: 02 VW Caddy 1.9SDI, 90 Mercedes 208D Autotrail Navajo, 85 Sinclair C5, 78 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6GL, 73 AC Model-70.
Re: Today I mostly .....
found out my gearbox crossmember doesnt like to stay bolted up tight, time for some threadlock. also decided to see how much abuse my cracked windscreen could handle(i have the new one cleaned and polished and waiting for me to drop it and the car off for the install), i have successfuly ruined the cracked up one, and got yelled at by the MP for it, and not allowed to drive till its fixed , was a great frustration vent though 
how do i delete the double post?
, was a great frustration vent though how do i delete the double post?'92 niva, 93 escort lx wagon, both were bargain finds, less than 1000 USD for both, new to working on cars, need all the help i can get and more
Re: Today I mostly .....
found out my gearbox crossmember doesnt like to stay bolted up tight, time for some threadlock. also decided to see how much abuse my cracked windscreen could handle(i have the new one cleaned and polished and waiting for me to drop it and the car off for the install), i have successfuly ruined the cracked up one, and got yelled at by the MP for it, and not allowed to drive till its fixed , was a great frustration vent though , also buying some street treads for my 16's, i like the A/T's on the 15's, but want it to sit a bit higher, and theyre starteing to crack up a bit, after all, they are junk yard wheels and tires, gonna go for some 205 60 16s, and my arxhes have already been trimmed
, was a great frustration vent though , also buying some street treads for my 16's, i like the A/T's on the 15's, but want it to sit a bit higher, and theyre starteing to crack up a bit, after all, they are junk yard wheels and tires, gonna go for some 205 60 16s, and my arxhes have already been trimmed'92 niva, 93 escort lx wagon, both were bargain finds, less than 1000 USD for both, new to working on cars, need all the help i can get and more
Re: Today I mostly .....
Did more sanding on the VW Bora's alloys. They were in a pretty bad condition (and 2 of them still are).
Starting with something like this...
...and ending up with;
Starting with something like this...
...and ending up with;
Re: Today I mostly .....
Started rebuilding an old Toshiba 200cds laptop with Window 98...Thats been a while!
Regards.
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
Re: Today I mostly .....
Rebuilding? What do you mean?excossack wrote:Started rebuilding an old Toshiba 200cds laptop with Window 98...Thats been a while!
Anyway, I doubt that laptop will ever see a YouTube video.
Re: Today I mostly .....
The old 800mb HD with Windows 95 on had started to clunk and windows would not load. So dug out a 4gb drive and setup a 800mb partition for windows 98 and the rest of radio programming software. As the software needs a serial port this laptop is old enough to have serial port
Regards.
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
John 2E0DHN
Holly: This is not a daffodil, repeat, this is not a daffodil!
Re: Today I mostly .....
Interesting, but you can get somewhat decent laptops with serial ports as well. Just recently I was working on a Compaq nc6230, which had a serial port and it had a 1.87 GHz processor and 2 GB of RAM. Bit better than the Toshiba.