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

[Scott Mead Photography]

I’m going to add one thing to Larry’s sage advice: after you’ve had your AC system overhauled, if you blow a condenser, check to see that the expansion valve is installed with the Freon flow in the correct direction. After having my car converted to 134a, I had three condensers blow, before we found the expansion valve had been reversed. Once that was rectified, my AC will keep beer icy cold!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 23, 2022, at 5:04 PM, Larry Stock <larrys at panteraparts.com> wrote:
> 
> Avoid all the A/C BS, here are Just a few quick Pantera A/C notes;
> 
> The most problems that we are seeing these days is using the wrong oil, BIG Expensive fix.
> Ester 100 oil is compatible with the original mineral oil used in R12 systems that you can't get out of the in-dash Evaporator coils.
> PAG oil that is supplied standard with most 134 systems will react and precipitate as a white blob that clogs the evaporator filter under the dash. It will blow up your system after about 3 weeks of driving. You will Need to replace everything including pulling the dash and completely flushing the Evaporator core.
> 
> Greatest source of leaks are the Schrader valves, and O-ring seals that are aging
> The Original Flare fittings used on Pantera's are forever, but take some technique to seal properly that skill that most A/C shops tend to lack these days.
> 
> You don't need to replace your Original A/C hoses with barrier hoses. The original mineral oil gets absorbed into the pores and seals the original rubber hoses, so the smaller 134 molecules don't leak through them.
> 
> Keep the A/C Condenser isolated in the rear. A Rotary Compressor generates less than half the heat of the original reciprocal York compressor, so all of a sudden you actually only need half the original Condenser to cool effectively, but more cooling area is better anyway. Keeping it off the radiator affords you more Engine cooling and it doesn't act as a heat sink waiting for you to move faster before getting you cold air to breathe.
> 
> Larry Stock
> 
> On 6/19/22, 6:06 AM, "detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com on behalf of charlesmccall at gmail.com" <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com on behalf of charlesmccall at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>       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!
> 
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