Air Conditioner repair on L4200

[Steve Wyatt]

I purchased a used L4200 with cab and the AC system is not working. One of the lines to th condenser had chafed against something and has a hole in it. Can I just replace that line and recharge the system, or is it necessary to replace the receiver/drier unit. Kubota's price for the receiver/drier is about $150, several times the cost of an automotive unit. I have not been able to find a replacement online at a more reasonable cost.

Thanks

 

[hepnerj]

Steve..

It is always a good idea to replace the filter/drier on a compromised system. Yes you can replace the line and re-charge, but ONLY after pulling a vacuum on the system to free it from moisture. If you don't do that, don't bother re-charging it as you will be facing far more costly repairs ASAP in the form of compressor replacement. So I guess unless you have a good vacuum pump or know someone who does your choices are very limited.

John

 

[Willl]

unless you have a good vacuum pump

And a micron gauge.

 

[KennyV]

micron gages are nice but not that absolutely needed... if you have access to a "good" vacuum pump. Leave it on for several hours and you should be good... KennyV.

I have a L4200 the A/C is SOooo nice, you are going to wonder how you lived without it.
Where are you and your L4200 located?

 

[Willl]

micron gages are nice but not that absolutely needed

Maybe not, but it gives you guarantee that moisture has been removed and you are leak free.

And with todays lubricants in refrigeration systems, moisture is a BIG no no.

 

[Steve Wyatt]

Thanks for the replies. I assume that having someome pull a vacuum on the system would also show if there are any leaks or does the sytem need to be pressure tested first to determine that? I don't know if there are leaks other than the obvious hole in one line.


My L4200 and I live in Loveland, Colorado at the foot of the Rockies. We get some hot weather, but it has been very nice here this summer. We have had the wettest summer since 1994, everything is still green which is wonderful and a rarity here this time of year!

 

[hepnerj]

Steve,

Pulling a vacuum will tell you if there is a leak. A leak equal no hold on vacuum or able to achieve a good test.

I have a L4330 with the cab and a/c. Dunno how I would have survived this summer w/o it. I know that makes us soft, but be d@mned if comfortable in the field isn't nice.. Good luck with your repairs. And I will be driving past your way here shortly. Elk hunting in Leadville area in September ..

 

[grossgary]

i do a/c work on auto's all the time and i break all the "rules". i have gauges, a vacuum puller, and equipment but it's not always handy and friends don't always want to wait or pay for it. my cousin is also a licenses HVAC guy who works for the military, he's rather qualified and where i've gotten some of my equipment from.

i can tell you with 100% certainty that i could replace that hose and nothing else and it'll be fine assuming it really was 'just a hole in the hose'. done it tons of times.

i'd replace as many orings and schrader valves as you can while the system is apart.

you can remove moisture the old fashion way - introduce charge refrigerant on "one side" while the other side is open, thereby letting it free flow through most or all of the system (not sure how it's set up on tractors). that blows out most of the moisture/air. then properly charge it.

but, i've even done tons of vehicles without even doing that with no ill effect. actually the first one i ever did years ago was a friends honda and it's still blowing ice cold last time i talked to him.

i realize all the warnings and technical nature of a refrigeration system, but my experience has been that the systems are designed with large amounts of cushion and very forgiving if they aren't riddled with complications. and that seems to be your case.

the only thing i'd be worried about is if the hose was in a position to bring in particulate matter into the system - like dust, mud, dirt into the breached hose line. if that's not the case, replace the hose, charge it and be on your way.