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Subject:Re: Need help with leak at fitting on AC condenser
From:Michael Sullivan
Date:Sun, 1 Aug 2010 15:43:35 -0500

< I'd really like to charge it one  more time and be done
with this project of epic proportions>

I'm gonna fix a leak soon and wonder if you think it would have been worth
it to pay someone else to do it.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'

On Sun, Aug 1, 2010 at 2:47 PM, David Clarkson <Dvdclarksn@aol.com> wrote:

> I have had great success in getting my ac running super cool (34 deg. F. at
>  the center vent). All is well until the freon leaks out at the larger of
> the two  connections where the hose connects to the condenser. I have put
> dye
> in the  system and checked for any other leaks all over with a hydrocarbon
> sniffer-none. I have tried all different combinations of o-rings, different
>  sizes and even 2 o-rings and finally went back with the factory o-ring
> after all  sorts of o-ring swelling (stop leak) chemicals introduced when
> recharging. I  inspected it again with UV light and found that it is
> definitely
> leaking at this  one point. Cleaned up the dye here and gently turned the
> nut
> on the fitting  about 1/8 of a turn. I have been scared to crank on this
> too hard and have the  threaded portion break off and then have to replace
> the
> condenser. Has anyone  else on the list had a leak at this connection? I
> feel really confident that it  is not leaking from a crack at the fitting
> where it connects to the condenser or  from where the hose crimp is. How
> much
> force should I use when tightening this?  Am I likely to break off the
> fitting
> from over torqueing? R134A isn't expensive  but not exactly cheap either.
> Dang, I am so close to having this fixed. Hoping  cooler heads will have
> some
> suggestions here. I'd really like to charge it one  more time and be done
> with this project of epic proportions. Thanks list for all  your help.
>
> David  Clarkson
> 1990 Westfalia
>