Ooops

[Dutch]

In replacing A/C lines, it's important to hookup high and low correctly to the compressor.

43622

Unfortunately that also took-out half the evaporator box. So having to replace the box and parts (luckily there was one on ebay). At least the lines are new ;-(

[Bitsyncmaster]

I'm surprised it did that with the lines backwards. Do you have a high pressure cutoff switch?

[DMC5180]

In replacing A/C lines, it's important to hookup high and low correctly to the compressor.

43622

Unfortunately that also took-out half the evaporator box. So having to replace the box and parts (luckily there was one on ebay). At least the lines are new ;-(

I can imagine the you crapped your pants with that explosion. Were you in the car at the time? Who's hose kit did you install?

[Morpheus]

I am surprised that it blew up like that! I hope you are able to get it swapped without issue. I can only imagine how much of a PITA this job is going to be.

[David T]

I am surprised that it blew up like that! I hope you are able to get it swapped without issue. I can only imagine how much of a PITA this job is going to be.

This is just one example of why you should have an experienced tech do this kind of work. If you do things wrong there can be serious consequences. Many parts were not engineered to be foolproof and can be installed incorrectly. This is not to say even experts do things wrong sometimes too.

[Jack]

This is just one example of why you should have an experienced tech do this kind of work. If you do things wrong there can be serious consequences. Many parts were not engineered to be foolproof and can be installed incorrectly. This is not to say even experts do things wrong sometimes too.

In other words "EVERYONE makes mistakes" (but at least if a Tech made one it 'MIGHT' covered.)

[Dutch]

Yes, unfortunately after I rebuilt the engine to the last bolt and nut (running better than new with I might say 239 HP non turbo), rebuilt the breaks to the last piston, all electrical, new suspension, perhaps it was 95% rebuild, all "WITHOUT" being and experienced technician lol.

The high / low values where placed on the wrong hoses and thus I hooked it up without second thought, only to look later and discover they where swapped. The original low hose had a straight on the coupling so it couldn't be attached incorrectly. The new hoses are both bent.

As they say cut 3 times and still to short.

[DMC5180]

239 hp! You got my attention has that been dyno proven or speculation?


Dennis

[Dutch]

Dyno :-)

The engine is modified to a stage III with:

Don's Crazy Cams and Hervey's Headers, magnaflow exhausts, modified intakes and exhaust ports.

Here is a write-up of the original modifications (http://www.projectvixen.com/dmcnews-archive/msg79587.html). I had some additional work done when we redid the heads and ports. Added new exhausts and other small things.

[DMCMW Dave]

I'm surprised it did that with the lines backwards. Do you have a high pressure cutoff switch?

His VIN is early enough that it may be missing the high pressure switch and blow-off valve (I'm not sure of the exact cut-off, but low VIN cars are missing both safety devices.) And, those are on the high side, so if he over-pressured the low side quickly they may not have helped.

[dmruschell]

Dyno :-)

The engine is modified to a stage III with:

Don's Crazy Cams and Hervey's Headers, magnaflow exhausts, modified intakes and exhaust ports.

Here is a write-up of the original modifications (http://www.projectvixen.com/dmcnews-archive/msg79587.html). I had some additional work done when we redid the heads and ports. Added new exhausts and other small things.

Not to stray too far off topic...

The Stage 3 is supercharged. Performance cams, free flowing exhaust and head work sounds much closer to a Stage 2 (or DPI/DMC-CA cams and exhaust), which usually make around 125hp to the wheels in my experience. I'm curious how you reached the 239hp number.

[Dutch]

Dave, indeed it doesn't have the valve. While filling I watched carefully not to overfill according to the bottle gauge. However it still popped.

[Chris4099]

I recall this happened once before from another poster where they swapped the high/low sides to the compressor. But instead of blowing up the evaporator, the system functioned like a heat pump. Nice warm air into the cabin and a very cold condenser. I guess he got lucky!

I completely replaced my system about 5-6 years ago. Running solid ever since (not even a recharge required). Not bad for the first ever AC system I ever touched. :)

[Nicholas R]

His VIN is early enough that it may be missing the high pressure switch and blow-off valve (I'm not sure of the exact cut-off, but low VIN cars are missing both safety devices.) And, those are on the high side, so if he over-pressured the low side quickly they may not have helped.

That was my first thought. Even with the safeguards, they're really only there to help the high side. If you over pressure the low side, there's nothing to save you.

Major bummer man; hope you can find all the parts you need easy enough. Also a word of advice, buy a good replacement evaporator. I bought one from SpecialTAuto years ago, and not even 3 years later I had to replace it again because the core started leaking at one of the welded seams. The replacement came from DMCMW and has been working great ever since.