ACtion Magazine - September/October 2012 - (Page 10)

In Bin Toxic retrofit I just finished reading this months ACTION magazine and I have a comment on the LeBaron in the 2carpros.com column. [Virtual View, June ‘12] After I finished laughing and started thinking about it, the year on the car has to be a misprint. LeBaron was replaced by the Sebring for the 1996 model year, so a 1998 LeBaron doesn’t exist, at least in the US. The car was most likely a 1990 (the first year the 3.0 was offered in a LeBaron according to Alldata), in which case it would have had R-12 from the factory and would have taken a lot more than a retrofit kit to properly retrofit. This also explains why he was only able to get cool air and not cold air, even though I highly doubt the system was properly charged—a 2.5 pound R-12 capacity sticks in my head, so at “2 cans” it was probably undercharged still. Articles like this are a perfect example of why sales of parts in general, and refrigerant specifically, need to be restricted to properly licensed and trained service providers. First, the vehicle owner dumped who knows how much R-12 into the atmosphere. Heck, I would have recovered that refrigerant for him or her (as long as it was pure) just for the refrigerant. R-12 is getting a little hard to find around here. Second, the owner clearly knew nothing more than to “put a few cans of that stuff in it and it will blow cold.” Third, that retrofit likely was illegal. I would be willing to bet it is not properly labeled. I would be surprised if it has both fittings on it, and I would bet it does not have a high pressure cut-out switch. Finally, since the system was not evacuated before the R-134a was installed, there was likely still some R-12 in the system so now, instead of the system having clean R-134a in it, it has hazardous waste. While I do not now – nor have I ever – retrofitted a vehicle, it isn’t tough. Most manufacturers published info back in the day about what had to be done to retrofit a system. For example, Chrysler issued a service bulletin in 1995 stating what needs to be done. This clown didn’t do anything close to what the TSB says. And what is truly sad is most of the “professional” retrofits I have seen are no better. Tim Iezzi www.vdo.com/usa VDO: coverage, quality, and peace of mind When you choose VDO, you can be confident you’ve made the right call. VDO electric motors are ready to install right out of the box. Every one is built and tested to OE specs and is backed up by real OE engineering expertise. VDO - A Trademark of the Continental Corporation Doctors I wanted to express how great I thought your article in ACTION was. [Expansion Valve, June ’12.] My father was a ER Physician for most of his career. He enrolled at Yale at the age of 16 on his way to Medical School. I have made my career in the auto repair industry and have always been insulted by the ignorant statement “it’s just like being a doctor of cars.” The time, energy and dedication, not to mention the God-given talents required to complete medical school, is far greater than any effort I have put forth to become what I consider a Master of my profession. Thanks for your insight. Perhaps it will clear some foggy notions! David Caskey Mechanical Services Shop Foreman Coconino County, Flagstaff Az. And, when it comes to coverage, no one beats VDO! For more information, email: salessupport-us@vdo.com or call: 800-564-5066 Blower Motors | Radiator and Condenser Fan Motors | Cooling Fan Assemblies Find your application online: 10 Reader Reply No.60 ACTION • September/October 2012 http://www.2carpros.com http://www.vdo.com/usa http://www.vdo.com/usa http://www.macsw.org/MACS/Publications/ACtion_Reader_Reply/MACS/Publications/ACTION/ACtion_Reader_Reply.aspx?hkey=ac24bddb-c045-442a-813c-cbf05f88ac4d

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - September/October 2012

ACtion Magazine - September/October 2012
Table of Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Expansion Valve
Leonard’s Law
Under The Southern Cross
Cooling Corner
Virtual View
News & Updates
Got Diesel?
Shutter Up!
Association News
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch
2013 Training Event Program

ACtion Magazine - September/October 2012

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