[DeTomaso] Exploding air conditioning system - Fake News or an accident waiting to happen?

[Christopher Kimball]

Once, When driving through Surprise Arizona on the way to a Fun Rally, while the temperature outside was over 100 degrees, I sure got a surprise.  I heard a loud bang and saw a lot of white mist coming from the engine bay.  It turned out one of my a/c hoses had ruptured.  I guess it was an explosion of sorts, but the worst part was traveling the rest of the way in sauna-like conditions!

Chris
________________________________
From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of charlesmccall at gmail.com <charlesmccall at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 6:06 AM
To: detomaso at detomasolist.com <detomaso at detomasolist.com>
Subject: [DeTomaso] Exploding air conditioning system - Fake News or an accident waiting to happen?

Hi all



In the 20+ years that I've had my Pantera, the air conditioning has only
worked for a few sporadic months. It works fine when charged, but we can't
find the source of the leak, despite having changed nearly everything that
could be changed. So the system was charged again a few weeks ago preparing
for my trip to Le Mans Classic, and this guy did find a crimp that looked
suspicious, so we'll see how long I have cool air.



Anyway, I seem to remember that we all know that at higher speeds (85mph+)
there is a low pressure area behind the AC condenser, which is why some
people move them up front. I also seem to remember something about the
system pressure getting too high because of inadequate cooling, and this
high pressure causing the system to explode. Is this correct? Is there a
risk from leaving the AC on full speed, non-stop for hours on end of high
speed highway cruising with the stock condenser set-up?



Thank you!


Classification: Restricted



-------------- next part --------------
   Once, When driving through Surprise Arizona on the way to a Fun Rally,
   while the temperature outside was over 100 degrees, I sure got a
   surprise.  I heard a loud bang and saw a lot of white mist coming from
   the engine bay.  It turned out one of my a/c hoses had ruptured.  I
   guess it was an explosion of sorts, but the worst part was traveling
   the rest of the way in sauna-like conditions!

   Chris
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of
   charlesmccall at gmail.com <charlesmccall at gmail.com>
   Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2022 6:06 AM
   To: detomaso at detomasolist.com <detomaso at detomasolist.com>
   Subject: [DeTomaso] Exploding air conditioning system - Fake News or an
   accident waiting to happen?

   Hi all

   In the 20+ years that I've had my Pantera, the air conditioning has
   only
   worked for a few sporadic months. It works fine when charged, but we
   can't
   find the source of the leak, despite having changed nearly everything
   that
   could be changed. So the system was charged again a few weeks ago
   preparing
   for my trip to Le Mans Classic, and this guy did find a crimp that
   looked
   suspicious, so we'll see how long I have cool air.

   Anyway, I seem to remember that we all know that at higher speeds
   (85mph+)
   there is a low pressure area behind the AC condenser, which is why some
   people move them up front. I also seem to remember something about the
   system pressure getting too high because of inadequate cooling, and
   this
   high pressure causing the system to explode. Is this correct? Is there
   a
   risk from leaving the AC on full speed, non-stop for hours on end of
   high
   speed highway cruising with the stock condenser set-up?

   Thank you!
   Classification: Restricted