Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 09:03:59 pm

Title: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 09:03:59 pm
After years of being out of service I am finally in the process of converting my dash A/C from R12 to R134a. While getting ready to pull the compressor off I noticed that the stud to the tensioner bolt is missing. I have been to several auto parts and have yet to find what I need. Does any one have a picture of exactly what this stud looks like? 94 Grand Villa, U280, 8.3 Cummins?
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: red tractor on August 21, 2018, 09:40:00 pm
It looks like the part that screws onto the adjustment bolt is missing. You may have to fabricate something that would work Maybe something from a junk yard.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 21, 2018, 10:11:29 pm
Here you go.  It's a bolt, with a threaded hole in the bolt head.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: oldguy on August 21, 2018, 10:22:43 pm
You could just use a nut and bolt and use a pry bar to adjust the belt tension if you can't find or make the proper adjuster.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 10:22:54 pm
Thanks Chuck!!  That is what I needed!!  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Karl
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 10:24:06 pm
You could just use a nut and bolt and use a pry bar to adjust the belt tension if you can't find or make the proper adjuster.
That is what I will do for the short term but would like to put the adjuster back if I can find it
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 10:37:04 pm
Giving this a try..

Genuine Mopar Belt Tensioner Bolt MD169798 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Mopar-Belt-Tensioner-Bolt-MD169798/263025692229?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D53210%26meid%3D74e58d5575614e55a320fe689543bd14%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D200747315500%26itm%3D263025692229&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851)
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 10:40:41 pm
Here you go.  It's a bolt, with a threaded hole in the bolt head.
I see that there is no belt on yours either...  :giggle:
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 21, 2018, 10:48:05 pm
I see that there is no belt on yours either...  :giggle:
Not (to me) worth the hassle to fix it.  We just run the generator and one or both roof A/C units.  That way, the front of coach and the bedroom are nice and cool when we arrive at destination.  Works for us!
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 21, 2018, 10:54:27 pm
Not (to me) worth the hassle to fix it.  We just run the generator and one or both roof A/C units.  That way, the front of coach and the bedroom are nice and cool when we arrive at destination.  Works for us!
I do the same thing. Not sure why I want to fix it. I guess I just want to see it work...probably just a waste of time and money...
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 21, 2018, 11:08:48 pm
Ours was working when we bought the coach, and for about a year thereafter.  The dash vents on the driver side blew nice cold air directly at my kneecaps - NOT where I needed it.  On the DW's side, it could not overcome the the heat gain from the large windshield and side glass area, and she (and the dog) were never happy.  So when it quit working, I said R.I.P. and forgot about it.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: kenhat on August 22, 2018, 07:26:21 am
I do the same thing. Not sure why I want to fix it. I guess I just want to see it work...probably just a waste of time and money...
IMHO it is not a waste of money and not that hard to do nor very expensive. I use my overhead airs on those really hot days but the dash air is very good at keeping you cool as it blows right on you. Very helpful when you're driving at an angle where the sun is directly on you. I did mine a few years ago and use it often. :)

see ya
ken
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Green99 on August 22, 2018, 07:49:33 am
Karl,
I believe the part you need is available from FT.  I just don't know if you have to buy the entire adjuster to get the part you need.  Might want to give them a call.
As for the worth, the Dash AC didn't work on our first SOB and it didn't work on our FT.  We just invested on repairing it, and feel it was definitely a good investment, I like the cool air blowing on me when driving into the sun.  Of course that is all just a matter of opinion.
I would recommend changing the dryer, also if the old dryer has come apart, which is what happened to mine and ruined the compressor, take the time to flush really good, had to take it back apart and flush again because more of the pellets got to the Expansion valve and plugged it up again.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 22, 2018, 10:38:09 am
Karl,
I believe the part you need is available from FT.  I just don't know if you have to buy the entire adjuster to get the part you need.  Might want to give them a call.
As for the worth, the Dash AC didn't work on our first SOB and it didn't work on our FT.  We just invested on repairing it, and feel it was definitely a good investment, I like the cool air blowing on me when driving into the sun.  Of course that is all just a matter of opinion.
I would recommend changing the dryer, also if the old dryer has come apart, which is what happened to mine and ruined the compressor, take the time to flush really good, had to take it back apart and flush again because more of the pellets got to the Expansion valve and plugged it up again.

I have a replacement dryer and am planning to remove the compressor to drain as much oil as possible. Hopefully nothing is in the system but am planning to flush...change as many o-rings as possible....pull a good vacuum...add oil and 134a. I ordered what I think is the part on ebay....if not, I will go to Foretravel. Hopefully I can get the belt tight enough at least to charge and test the system.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Green99 on August 22, 2018, 10:41:31 am
No more than it cost since you will have the system open anyway you might want to consider changing the expansion valve while you are in there.  just something to think about.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: craneman on August 22, 2018, 10:43:28 am
Make sure the compressor is good before flushing and putting in a new drier. Otherwise if bad, can contaminate the system when you try to charge it. When I bought our coach the compressor was frozen up and I flushed and changed the drier and the expansion valve just to be safe. The new compressors come with the correct oil for R-134a .
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 22, 2018, 10:54:24 am
Looks like that SD5H14 compressor is still available for a surprisingly reasonable price!  I might order me one just to stash away, in case I ever get a wild hair and decide to repair our system.

6664 Compressor (http://store.sanden.com/index.php/6664.html)

http://www.sanden.com/productlibrary/manuals/SD_Service_Guide_Rev_2.pdf
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Green99 on August 22, 2018, 10:57:49 am
That is a good price.  Most advertised are actually Sanden knock offs.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Karl Shurtleff on August 22, 2018, 11:02:29 am
Karl,
I believe the part you need is available from FT.  I just don't know if you have to buy the entire adjuster to get the part you need.  Might want to give them a call.
As for the worth, the Dash AC didn't work on our first SOB and it didn't work on our FT.  We just invested on repairing it, and feel it was definitely a good investment, I like the cool air blowing on me when driving into the sun.  Of course that is all just a matter of opinion.
I would recommend changing the dryer, also if the old dryer has come apart, which is what happened to mine and ruined the compressor, take the time to flush really good, had to take it back apart and flush again because more of the pellets got to the Expansion valve and plugged it up again.

Do you remember how much oil you added after completely flushing the system?
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: jor on August 22, 2018, 11:03:05 am
Quote
I guess I just want to see it work...probably just a waste of time and money...

I'm with Ken. It may not be a good investment but when that baby is blowing 40 degrees you will feel great.
jor
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: John44 on August 22, 2018, 11:12:26 am
We have the cold knee feeling also,we use a towel on the knees and let it run full blast.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Green99 on August 22, 2018, 11:14:16 am
Karl,
I do not remember the exact amount.  as I recall it was not a large amount.  I would recommend you call a good AC repair shop, preferably one that AC work is all they do and ask their opinion.  Actually I would call 3 or 4 and see if you get the same answer twice.  The compressor usually comes with oil so you have to consider that when you calculate the amount.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: craneman on August 22, 2018, 11:17:32 am
I either got the oil information off Barry's site or called F.T. can't remember. I got the specs. for the oil that was in the compressor and added the amount I needed. Coach length was involved
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: AncloteJoe on August 22, 2018, 11:47:17 am
I just got my AC running after three years of ownership and I do appreciate the cool air up front.

I had to replace the hose fittings for the dryer and one of the fittings for the compressor, The compressor will come with the prescribed amount of oil in it. You will have to add oil for the length of your coach, mine was about 2-3 ounces. I added the oil not in the compressor but up front by the expansion valve and in one of the fittings by the dryer. I also replaced the expansion valve and the dryer. The AC relay had gone bad so it was replaced as well.

Recently at MOT I had it charged. One of the steps MOT took that I would be unable to do is to charge the system with nitrogen to determine if there are any leaks before pulling a vacuum and charging with R134. They also found one other gremlin in the works. A switch on the low pressure side of the pump was causing the compressor to disengage repeatedly. you could see the clutch start and stop. MOT (Keith) said this was common in this year coach. He rewired the sense switch to the dryer (this required a new dryer with a sense switch) and clipped the wires on the compressor.

Its working great now.
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: Lance Camper on August 22, 2018, 12:45:21 pm
After years of being out of service I am finally in the process of converting my dash A/C from R12 to R134a. While getting ready to pull the compressor off I noticed that the stud to the tensioner bolt is missing. I have been to several auto parts and have yet to find what I need. Does any one have a picture of exactly what this stud looks like? 94 Grand Villa, U280, 8.3 Cummins?
Bolt for A/C Compressor Fan Belt (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=33796.msg308991#msg308991)

Try Fastenal if you have one nearby.

HTH
Ed
Title: Re: A/C Compressor tensioner bolt and stud
Post by: stump on August 23, 2018, 08:10:58 am
Do you remember how much oil you added after completely flushing the system?

http://www.sanden.com/productlibrary/manuals/SD_Service_Guide_Rev_2.pdf