A/C issues. "Tight" compressor. Belt slipping. (Page 3/4)
Dennis LaGrua SEP 08, 11:14 AM
I experienced this once on another vehicle that I owned. Apparently the person that owned it before me sold it to me with a "recent recharge". The reason that the compressor was locked up and the belt slipping was that when I put the gauges on the system to check the readings showed that it was way overcharged. Took out some R-134a and all was fine. IIRC it only takes about 2 cans of R-134a to be recharged to full. That might be the problem.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

fierofool SEP 08, 12:32 PM
AeroDon had a solution for the unfixable squeal. Being a service tech for a diesel fleet, he found that a Freightliner belt solved the problem. It was a little meatier and filled the V groove of the pulley, giving it more contact surface. It didn't sit down into the pulley because it was thicker. Stock Goodyear number is 15730 for reference. It may be different on engine swaps.
RWDPLZ SEP 08, 12:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

IIRC it only takes about 2 cans of R-134a to be recharged to full. That might be the problem.




R-134A cans are typically sold as 12oz cans, which would make 2 can 24oz or 1.5lbs, which is way too little. The Fiero's original R-12 capacity is 40oz or 2.5lbs, typical R-134A conversions use 80-90% of the original R-12 charge, which would be about 2-2.25 lbs. Three 12oz cans is 2.25lbs, which is about perfect, since you're probably not quite going to get all of the 3rd can in.
Dennis LaGrua SEP 08, 05:21 PM

quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:


R-134A cans are typically sold as 12oz cans, which would make 2 can 24oz or 1.5lbs, which is way too little. The Fiero's original R-12 capacity is 40oz or 2.5lbs, typical R-134A conversions use 80-90% of the original R-12 charge, which would be about 2-2.25 lbs. Three 12oz cans is 2.25lbs, which is about perfect, since you're probably not quite going to get all of the 3rd can in.


I certainly won't dispute those numbers but I've always recharged from the large commercial cylinders using gauges. Lets also remember that a full system recharge also uses about 6 oz of Ester oil

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 09-08-2023).]

RWDPLZ SEP 08, 05:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
Lets also remember that a full system recharge also uses about 6 oz of Ester oil



Should be 8oz, originally 525 viscosity mineral oil for R-12, whatever your compressor manufacturer recommends for R-134A.
jelly2m8 SEP 09, 02:26 AM

quote
Originally posted by fierofool:

AeroDon had a solution for the unfixable squeal. Being a service tech for a diesel fleet, he found that a Freightliner belt solved the problem. It was a little meatier and filled the V groove of the pulley, giving it more contact surface. It didn't sit down into the pulley because it was thicker. Stock Goodyear number is 15730 for reference. It may be different on engine swaps.


I would be interested in this belt, that's something I was mulling, there's are 35 plus year old cars, those V-Groove pullies wear out, a thicker belt just may be the ticket.
jelly2m8 SEP 09, 02:28 AM

quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:


R-134A cans are typically sold as 12oz cans, which would make 2 can 24oz or 1.5lbs, which is way too little. The Fiero's original R-12 capacity is 40oz or 2.5lbs, typical R-134A conversions use 80-90% of the original R-12 charge, which would be about 2-2.25 lbs. Three 12oz cans is 2.25lbs, which is about perfect, since you're probably not quite going to get all of the 3rd can in.



Man, I had 2.25 lbs of R134A put into my conversion with a new 3800 compressor, evacuated old ass stock system and that sucker blows so cold on Norm that I turn it down. Thank you for your knowledge^^
fierofool SEP 09, 07:18 AM
jelly2m8, if you have an old belt and can find a diesel repair shop, they might be able to match it up. I thought I had one in the garage, but not. Don had said there was a slight difference in length or the thickness of the belt made it a little difficult to get onto the pulleys. That was for a 60 degree engine setup. The same belt might not work on an engine swap.
jelly2m8 SEP 09, 06:28 PM
That's a great suggestion, there's a few truck centers here I use for different parts. No the belt won't work for my application but I do still work on others and I have a customer who has an AC belt squeal with one of the popular automatic belt tensioners sold on the forum and my thought is his pulleys are simply worn, a thicker belt should fix his issue.
88TTops SEP 09, 08:59 PM
I came here to ask if any one has ever seen this on their A/C? I replaced all my switches parts etc but this was soldered into my old power supply. do I need this?
I am sure RWD knows, he has been a massive help in his posts about A/C.