DeTomaso Mailing List: April 1997, Message #76
     



From: "Ted A. Mitchell" <tmitch@gte.net>

Subject: Re: Aaargghhh!!  A/C!

Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 17:32:28 -0700



Shane,

Do it yourself or with a friend who knows what they are doing and will

give/sell you some freon (although finding a friend that will give up some

of his precious F12 may be tough).  Large tanks of F12 are still available.

Expensive, but think of the future.  If the leak was a slow one through

the Schrader valves, you shouldn't need any oil (and dye is not a legal

requirement on you).  If they didn't already bleed out the rest of the

freon, you are in good shape and won't even have to change the separator

(no moisture in the system).  When you have the new valve(s), and are ready

with freon, SLOWLY bleed out the rest of the freon so that no oil comes out

with it (yeah, I know, watch that big hole in the ozone layer appear above

your head).  Replace the valve(s) quickly, and recharge.



Ted

http://home1.gte.net/tmitch/pe.htm     tmitch@gte.net





----------

> From: Shane F. Ingate <pantera@shiseis.com>

> To: detomaso@wgate.com

> Subject: Aaargghhh!!  A/C!

> Date: Thursday, April 10, 1997 4:22 PM

>

> Now that I'm sitting down, I can compose a letter.  Just took

> the Kitty in to have its A/C checked out, and the quote is $300!

>

> Why?

>

> The A/C stopped pushing cold about a year ago, and I did not want to

> haul across the desert to Vegas in the heat again, so I checked the

> pressure at the Schrader valve on my new rotary compressor, about 30psi.

> So I have a leak somewhere (it should be more than 50 psi).

>

> I take it into a local A/C shop and wait for the quote.  A few hours

> later, they found the leak, it was one of the Schrader valves,

> apparently quite common.  A $2 part.  "Beaut", I thought, this

> wont cost much at all.  They they hit me with $300.  For a $2 part.

>

> The breakdown goes something like this: $110 for 2.6lbs Freon, $70

> for labour, $30 for "oil and dye", $60 to install new condensor,

> plus tax.  Plus the $2 valve.

>

> Any other A/C horror stories out there?  Is there a better way to do it?

>

> 	Shane Ingate in San Diego