P8M4108a OTR a/c question

richard5933 · June 01, 2018, 11:09:12 AM

Maybe the situation isn't as bad as could be...

Apparently the problem with the compressor is a leak at the front seal, or at least that is the working theory. Luke's got replacement seals available. The tech working on the bus at the local shop doesn't feel comfortable doing the seal replacement, so they are going to r/r the compressor and send it to Luke's shop in NJ to have the work done. Sounds like most of what they work on at this shop just gets new parts, as most of the newer systems are not designed to be rebuilt and/or resealed. Their tech has not been trained to replace seals in compressors and doesn't believe he's got the correct tools to do it properly.

Although it will add a few days to the work for shipping back and forth to NJ, I'm really glad that they acknowledged up front their limitation instead of attempting to do the work and damaging the compressor. To me this is a sign of a good shop and makes me feel better. I'm also happy that they are willing to have me settle up with Luke directly for his work instead of up-charging the whole thing.

So, at the moment the extent of the problem seems to be limited to the leaking compressor seal, a bad dryer, and a failing electrical plug. And of course replacing the r22 that escaped when things went bad. Not nearly as bad as it could be and hopefully will enable us to keep the thing cool and comfortable for at least a few more years.

luvrbus · June 01, 2018, 12:04:07 PM

What model is the compressor a 05G ?

richard5933 · June 01, 2018, 12:15:48 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on June 01, 2018, 12:04:07 PM
What model is the compressor a 05G ?

To be honest, I have no idea. It's a Frigidaire, but that's as far as I can say with certainty.

I'd look it up in the manual/parts book but they're in the bus at the shop. Regardless, I'm assuming that Luke and Bill will be able to replace the seal and put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

luvrbus · June 01, 2018, 12:35:42 PM

That is old 3 cylinder Frigidaire,hopefully for you the seal carrier is not bad and a seal will fix it, they are a bear to make stop leaking even for a year

richard5933 · June 01, 2018, 12:49:37 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on June 01, 2018, 12:35:42 PM
That is old 3 cylinder Frigidaire,hopefully for you the seal carrier is not bad and a seal will fix it, they are a bear to make stop leaking even for a year

You're not making me feel better here...we need happy bus thoughts.

Luke seemed to have confidence that they could get it going. Guess we'll see. I'm sure that I'll be addressing this again in the future. Maybe by then I'll have a plan for moving forward with a new and more modern refrigerant. I'm hoping that with regular use it will do better than it did sitting for most of the past 44 years in storage and maybe least at least a while.

luvrbus · June 01, 2018, 01:33:59 PM

LOL the only happy thoughts about owning a bus come from the people there to help empty your wallet

richard5933 · June 04, 2018, 01:25:52 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on June 01, 2018, 12:04:07 PM
What model is the compressor a 05G ?

Now that I've seen pictures of an 05G, I can say for sure that's not it. Looks like an A6 compressor, although I'm not sure if there are other models with the same look. The book does state that it's a 3-cylinder rotary, so the A6 is at least in the right family.

Either way, the compressor is on its way to Luke as we speak and hopefully he and Bill can work their magic on it. Doesn't sound like there was much wrong besides the compressor leak and the bad dryer, so I'm still hopeful.

Funny note...the guy from the shop here was apologetic when I asked him if there were any surprises after they pulled the compressor. He said that the only surprise was the price on the r22, which he hesitated to tell me. It was actually less than Luke charged the PO when he worked on the bus last summer, so I am guessing it's been a while since the local guy had need to order a tank.

I sounds like he had to order a 28-lb tank to get enough to fill the bus' system, even though we only need 22 pounds. Hopefully he'll charge me for what he uses. Otherwise I guess I'll own an extra 6 pounds of r22.

eagle19952 · June 04, 2018, 01:46:36 PM

hopefully, (and I'm not trying to rain on the parade) after the biggest leak is fixed there are no little one that rear their ugly heads.

richard5933 · June 04, 2018, 01:58:36 PM

Yeah - they warned me about the possibility of other leaks being found once the system was up to full pressure. Hopefully if there are additional leaks they will be confined to simple things like o-rings or the like.

chessie4905 · June 04, 2018, 04:37:04 PM

Usually when you have leakage issues, they charge the system with nitrigen to about 70 to 100 lbs and start checking with leak test fluid. After repairing any leaks found, they recharge with nitrogen and leave it sit overnight to see it it drops any.

muldoonman · June 04, 2018, 04:56:06 PM

On my 1991 Prevost going through the same deal. Bought another rebuilt compressor (O5G Bus) and going back after testing with Nitrogen, Will replace dryer and hope for the best if pressure holds. Think you can buy all the goodies on all, if your pockets are deep enough. Oh and Cliff Prevost (Ft. Worth and Houston) told me $10,000 labor , plus parts to get mine up in shape. Could be $15 to $20,000.

It ran for year after converting to R134 and compressor seal started leaking last year. At first twice a year recharge and then after one trip it would leak out.. You know it leaking as you can see the oil behind pulley's on compressor. Have to change unloaders out as new compressor has electronic ones.

chessie4905 · June 04, 2018, 06:20:10 PM

These issues are why most say to ditch the otr ac when converting an older coach. The newest models have robust sealing due to the fed. regulations about ozone protection.

luvrbus · June 04, 2018, 07:09:05 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on June 04, 2018, 06:20:10 PM
These issues are why most say to ditch the otr ac when converting an older coach. The newest models have robust sealing due to the fed. regulations about ozone protection.

All the new units are double seals,Prevost told 10,000 for labor on what Glen converting to R134 ?

richard5933 · June 04, 2018, 07:17:18 PM

Prevost coaches must have a much more robust and/or complicated system. Or perhaps there was lots more wrong with things. Either way, my worst-case scenario is nowhere near that expansive. Right now I'm in for about about $600 for the r22 and a few hundred more for the seal kit & installation. They've estimated 12 hours labor for the whole job including if they find a few more small leaks. Of course it could go up from there, but I'd have a long way to go to reach $10K.

Don't know if I'd break the bank to keep the OTR working, but I haven't seen a replacement plan that is as simple to use as OTR and that provides as good a result. Regardless, for now we've made the decision to try and keep the system running. Over the next year I'll be exploring options for upgrading the refrigerant to something that can be replaced moving forward as r22 is phased out.

chessie4905 · June 05, 2018, 03:50:57 AM

If you continue to have some leak issues, you'll wish you would have bitten the bullet now and converted to R 134. A lot of the Prevost cost will be to upgrade to better hoses. The molecules of R134 are much smaller and can pass slowly through the old hose material. Plus some pressure control units need replaced due to operating characteristics of 134 vs. 22.