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Leak in vac test- is the new dryer still good?

msg on Sun August 24, 2014 8:30 PM User is offline

Year: 1963
Make: chevy
Model: nova
Engine Size: 194
Refrigerant Type: r12
Ambient Temp: 90
Country of Origin: United States

Hi all, new to auto AC and the forum and had a few questions.

I installed a newly conditioned dryer receiver, a6 compressor, and condenser on a 63 nova and did a vac test.
The vac pump pulled down to just 25 after 2 hours and when I closed the manifold it dropped to 0 within 30 min.
I kept tightening and rechecking the system and doing this at least 4 times or more and the same results.

So I figured the only way to check the leak was to pressurize with the nitrogen that I purchased.
After doing a last vac and quicly switching to nitrogen I pressurized and didnt hear any thing that was obvious so I soap bubble tested every connection, hose, fitting, pipe and no bubbles but the pressure kept dropping.
I then soap bubbled the AC manifold and the low pressure knob was defective and was leaking from behind the knob.
So knowing that the manifold was defective I bought another AC manifold and the first vac test pulled to 30 and held just fine for over a day.

I then pressurized with nitrogen at 100 and it held at that for over 2 days.
I assume that all is well and I can now charge with the R12 I have but wondered...

Would testing a system like that 4 or 5 times and the gauges going to zero cause the newly rebuilt receiver dryer to be bad?

I live in south Georgia and its humid but the car has been in a garage with ac and a dehumidifier working most of the time.

Also,
what is the best way to disconnect the manifold hoses from the shrader valves on the compressor without the quick burst of pressure leakage?

HECAT on Mon August 25, 2014 1:05 PM User is offline

I don't think you have contaminated your dryer by introducing dry nitrogen. As far as the old R12 Schrader valves; just got to be quick.

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msg on Mon August 25, 2014 2:50 PM User is offline

Thanks Hecat for the reply.
The main concern on the dryer I had was due to the vac tests that went to 0 four to five times and any outside air that was then pulled in each time it all leaked out from the defective manifold.
At this point I am going to learn now how to charge this 1963 ac system with r12 and hope it get it right cause this stuff aint cheap or healthy.

HECAT on Mon August 25, 2014 3:33 PM User is offline

I think you have done a good and thorough job to ensure the system is tight and ready to charge with that expensive R12. I would not worry about the health issue; I worked with that stuff for years, and I only twitch every once in while.

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

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