Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 02:06 pm, by: Paul Hodgson(Hoj)
Hi, I just put my Soarer in to get the AC re-gassed. They found a leak in a part at the base of the side of the AC. I've searched through some posts looking for what it is. I read the Need help identifying this part!!! by Boris Siljanoski thread and I think it may be the Evaporator Pressure Regulator. Would this be correct? And would my best (cheapest) option be to make a neoprene gasket and rebuild it?
I struggled to get a good vantage point to take a photo. Also, I'm pretty new at this so I'm not sure if my use of bold type to highlight the 'Need help identifying this part!!! Boris Siljanoski' has worked properly.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 01:58 am, by: Boris Siljanoski(Z2tt)
That is a EPR or also known as a STV Valve.
It does have a gasket on it and original ones are not available by themselves. I have looked into buying flat sheets of NBR Rubber or HNBR rubber but what If on the market is all too thick.
What may have to be an option is to remove the piston from inside the valve, then to weld the seem shut, so it will not require any sort of seal. You will then need to install a thermostat inside the evaporator to control the vent temperature.
If there is 2 surfaces that can create a seal, then if you can find a material available in thin sheets that is compatible with R134a if that is the refrigerant you are using then you may be able to make a seal for it.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 08:44 pm, by: Paul Hodgson(Hoj)
Many thanks, Boris.
I spoke to the people at the place where I had taken it in, they said they use the R134a gas or they can use another gas which doesn't have all the legal issues (I'm assuming he was talking about Hychill).
There is an auto-parts shop in town that just may have a material that will do the job. If not, I'm thinking I might try a gas place and ask for their advice. They may have o-rings and what not to suit the job at hand.
Thursday, December 12, 2013 - 08:32 pm, by: Paul Hodgson(Hoj)
Job Update
The Gas Heating & Cooling shop said that they only stock a certain sized o-ring for use in standard gas fittings, but they referred a business that specialises in parts for conveyor belts.
Here's where it gets interesting. The guy at the conveyor supply shop has recommended a silicone sheet to make the gasket out of. It's denser than neoprene, has a greater capacity for cold and hot temperatures and is available in 1mm thick sheets.
He was happy to cut a 100mm square sheet for free, as long as he's keep posted on the results. He recommended Repco for any o-rings that are needed.
It'll be a few days before I can have a go at removing the part. If I get keen I may even draw up an exploded view diagram for future reference.
Sunday, December 22, 2013 - 06:14 pm, by: Paul Hodgson(Hoj)
My dad was able to painstakingly remove the part.
We got it open where the leak seems to be coming from. There is no gasket there. The 1mm thick silicone sheet I have for a gasket should squash up as it is tightened. There also seems to be a space for an o-ring on the piston. I've indicated where on the next photo.
There is a small o-ring on the thermostat as well as another on a hose that goes to the top of the part. Should I replace those as well as the one on the piston? Any help/advice as to where to go from here will be great.
Sunday, December 22, 2013 - 10:30 pm, by: Boris Siljanoski(Z2tt)
Part of the thin flexible Seal that is on the Piston does seal on the Inner part and from what it looks yes you can make a seal where you highlighted in red, just ensure both surfaces are clean.
There is a small O-ring that goes on a Capillary tube that attaches to the top of that valve, that is common to leak and yes you should replace it, I remember it being available from Ashdown Ingram but they discontinued it so you may need to look elsewhere, I remember I got one from Enzed.
As for the Missing O-ring on the Piston, I'm unsure about that one it may not be there in the first place to begin with even though there is a grove.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 - 10:31 am, by: Paul Hodgson(Hoj)
Success! There is only the one o-ring on the piston. A local auto-electrician was able to supply the o-rings that were needed that are suited to Air Conditioner parts.
Here's a photo of the silicone gasket we made, I trimmed the excess from around the edge after the part was put back together.
My dad was able to painstakingly reinstall the part. It got re-gassed over two weeks ago and it has worked perfectly, just in time for the Viccie heat wave.
If anyone is interested I can make a template for the gasket to post on this site for people to use.
Previous
