REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS96-39
In all instances where the indications of refrigerant
shortage continues, additional refrigerant should be
added in
l/4 lb. increments until the sight glass is
clear.
An additional charge of l/4 lb. should be ad-
ded as a reserve. In no case should the system be
overcharged.
LEAK TESTING SYSTEM
The following two methods are recommended when attempting to locate refrigerant leaks in the system.
Loss of
regrigerant is always indicative of a leak since
refrigerant is not consumed and does not wear out.
1. Open Flame Method
- This method utilizes a gas
operated torch type leak detector (J-6084). Use of
this method is recommended when checking for
leaks in confined areas. To perform test, light torch
and adjust to obtain a pale blue flame, approximately
3/8 inch in height, in burner.
Explore for leaks by moving end of search tube
around suspected area. Check bottom of connections
since Refrigerant-12 is heavier than air and will be more apparent at underside of fittings. The flame
color will turn yellow-green when a small leak is
detected. Large leaks will turn the flame blue or
purple.
WARNING:
Do not breathe fumes resdting from
burning of
refrigerant gas. These fumes az ex-
tremeiy poisonous.
2. Liquid Leak Detectors - This method utilizes a
solution which will bubble (soap solution) to signify
a gas leak. Use of this method of checking is recom-
mended for locating small leaks.
FUNCTIONAL TESTING SYSTEM
Functional testing is a measurement of the air condi-
tioner system performance to determine if discharge
air temperature, pressure in suction line, and pres-
sure in discharge line are within specific limitations.
To perform Functional test proceed as follows:
1. Remove protective caps from the compressor
adapter fittings located on compressor.
SCHRADER
ADAPTER J-5420
1II rDISCHARGE LINE
COMPRESSOR
VALVE
LOW PRESSURE
\ GAUGE\
HIGHGLR;B;URE
MANIFOLD AND
-GAUGE SET
J-5725-01
r
GAUGE LINES
(5) J-5418
9B-31
Figure 9B-40 Functional Test Set-Up
98-42 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
SCHRADER VALVE
ADAPTER J-54201COMPRESSOR(TOP VIEW)[/--DISCHARGE LINE
ILOW PRESSURE\ GAUGE
MANIFOLD AND
-GAUGE SET
J-5725-01
rGAUGE LINES
(5) J-541899-31
Figure 98.41 Set-Up For Discharging System
tion. With the gauge disconnected from the refrigera-
tion system, be sure that the pointer indicates to the
center of zero. Lightly tap gauge a few times to be
sure pointer is not sticking. If necessary, calibrate as
follows:
A. Remove cover from gauge.
B. Holding gauge pointer adjusting screw firmly with
one hand, carefully force pointer in the proper direc-
tion in proper amount to position pointer through
the center of
“0” position. Tap gauge a few times to
be sure pointer is not sticking. Replace gauge cover.
2. If gauge is not already connected to compressor,
connect as follows:
A. Close hand shut-off valves on gauge set by turning
clockwise.B. Remove caps from gauge fittings on the compres-
sor adapter fitting.
C. Attach valve adapter (J-5420) to end of the hosefrom the low pressure gauge and connect thisadapl:er fitted hose to suction gauge fitting.
D. Attach valve adapter (J-9459) to end of hose from
the high pressure gauge and connect this adapter
fitted hose to the discharge fitting.
3. Attach a flexible gauge hose to center fitting of
the gauge set and attach the other end of this hose
to vacuum pump (J-5428-03).
Evacuating Complete System
1. Turn hand shut-off valve on low pressure gauge
of gauge set to full clockwise position.
2. Slowly turn valve on high pressure gauge coun-
terclockwise from full clockwise position, letting any
pressure build-up escape completely. Close high
pressure valve.
3. Check oil level in vacuum pump and, if neces-
sary, add refrigeration oil. Make sure dust cap on
discharge side of pump has been removed.
98-46 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
shut off vacuum pump. Open refrigerant control
valve and allow some refrigerant to enter system.
Locate and repair all leaks.
7. After evacuating for 15 minutes, add l/2 lb. of
refrigerant to system. Purge this
l/2 lb. and reevacu-
ate for 15 minutes. This second evacuation is to be
certain that as much contamination is removed from
the system as possible.
8. Only after evacuating as above, system is ready
for charging. Note reading on sight glass of charging
cylinder. If it does not contain a sufficient amount
for a full charge, till to proper level.
9. Close low pressure valve on charging station.
Fully open station refrigerant control valve and al-
low all liquid refrigerant to enter system. When full
charge of refrigerant has entered system, turn off
refrigerant control valve and close both hand shut-
off valves.
10. If full charge of refrigerant will not enter system,
close high pressure control and refrigerant control
valves. Start engine and run at low idle with com-
pressor operating. Crack refrigerant control valve
and low pressure control on station. Watch low side
gauge and keep gauge below 50 psi by regulating
refrigerant control valve. Closing valve will lower
pressure. This is to prevent liquid refrigerant from
reaching the compressor while the compressor is op-
erating. When required charge has entered system,
close refrigerant control valve and close low pressure
control.
11. System is now charged and should be perform-
ance- tested before removing gauges.
Adding Refrigerant
The following procedure should be used in adding
small amounts of refrigerant that may have been lost
by leaks or while opening system for servicing the
compressor. Before adding refrigerent to replace that
lost by leaks, check for evidence of oil loss and add
oil if necessary.
This procedure will only apply if the air inlet temper-
ature is above 70 degrees F. at the condenser.
1. Remove caps from compressor gauge fittings.
Attach gauge set to gauge fittings, making sure
adapter (J- 5420) is between low pressure gauge hose
and suction gauge fitting, and J-9459 is between high
pressure gauge hose and discharge gauge fitting.
2. Start engine, turn air conditioning temperature
control knob to full cold position, blower switch to
Max Hi. Operate for ten
(IO) minutes at 2000 RPM
to stabilize system.
3. Observe the refrigerant through the sight glasscover of receiver-dehydrator with the system operat-
ing,
IO see if there are any bubbles evident.
a. If no bubbles are evident, then bleed system slowly
through the discharge valve until bubbles appear in
the receiver-dehydrator. Add 1 lb. of refrigerant as
explained under “Charging the
ISystem”.b. If bubbles are visible in the receiver-dehydrator
with the temperature control krlob in the full cold
position and the blower at MAX speed, it indicates
a partial or complete plug in a line, a shortage of
refrigerant, or both. Correct condition. Add refriger-
ant
u~ntil the sight glass clears, then add another 1 lb.
of refrigerant.
4. Attach flexible hose from center fitting of gauge
set loosely to refrigerant drum or on disposable can
valvxs. Open high and low pressure valves on the
gauge set slightly to purge pressure gauge lines of air.
Tighten fitting of refrigerant drum or can when satis-
fied ihat all air has been removed from gauge lines.
Close (clockwise) both hand shut-off valves or gauge
set.5. Partially charge system.
REFRIGERANT DRUM METHOD:
A. Place pail containing hot water that does not have
a temperature exceeding 125 degrees F. on scales,
place refrigerant drum in pa” containing water, note
weig,ht and only open low pressure valve on gauge
set.B. Start engine, turn temperature control knob to full
cold position and place blower switch in Max Hi.
Operate engine for 10 minutes at 2000 RPM to sta-
bilize system.
C. With compressor operating, slowly open valve on
refrigerant drum and allow refrigerant to flow into
system (through manifold gauge set) until liquid in-
dicator clears up and immediately shut off valve ai
gauge set or on refrigerant drum. Check weight of
refrigerant drum and pail of water. Then slowly open
valve on gauge set (or refrigerant drum) and add one
more lb. of refrigerant. Note total amount of refriger-
ant added.
DISPOSABLE CAN METHOD:
A. Make sure the outlet valve on the J-6271 valve is
fully clockwise and attach the J-6271 to a 1 lb. can
of refrigerant by backing off the valve from the top
of the retainer, slipping the valve onto the can and
turning the valve into the retainer until tight. DO
NOT accidentally open outlet valve during this oper-
ation, as turning the valve into the retainer punctures
the top of the can to make it ready for charging.
.
96-54 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
valve. The filter screen at the inlet port may be re-
placed. Remove screen by threading a lo-32 NF
screw into old filter screen. With a washer and a nut
on the screw arranged to work as a puller screw, hold
the body of the screw and turn the nut. Insert the
new filter screen into the inlet port and lightly tap
screen only enough to seat.
1. Install expansion valve using new o-rings during
installation. Lubricate o-rings prior to installation
using No. 525 viscosity oil.
2. Install evaporator assembly and case attaching
screws. See Figure 9B-70.3. Install blower motor assembly into case and se-
cure with attaching screws. See Figure
9B-69.4. Install finger guard shields and fan housing case.
See Figure
9B-69.5. Install resistor assembly and electrical connector.
Install blower motor connector. See Figure
9B-69.6. Install assembly into car carefully guiding
evaporator pipes up through cowl opening. See Fig-
ure
9B-71.Figure 93-7 1 Inlet and Outlet Pipes and O-Rings
-Opel 1900 Manta
7. Install two (2) upper attaching evaporator at-
taching nuts. See Figures 9B-66 and
9B-67.8. Install two (2) attaching case mounting bracket
to instrument panel screws. See Figure
9B-67.9. Connect two (2) drain hoses underneath evapora-
tor.10. Install evaporator inlet and outlet pipes retainer
and rubber grommet. See Figure
9B-65.11. Connect vacuum cut-off switch and electrical
wiring, making sure the delay restrictor and checkvalve hoses are installed correctly. See Figures
9B-63and 64.
.gB-72 Delay Restrictor and Check Valve Hose.Assembly
12. Install refrigerant hoses and pipes using new
o-rings on line fittings and evacuate system. Refer to
EVACUATING SYSTEM.
13. While system is being evacuated, install in-line
fuse and left side of distributor duct. See Figure 9B-
61.14. Install glove box.
15. Install negative battery cable and charge system.
Refer to CHARGING SYSTEM.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF CONDENSER
ASSEMBLY -OPEL 1900. MANTA
Removal
1. Remove negative battery cable from battery.
2. Remove air cleaner.
3. Discharge system. Refer to DISCHARGING
SYSTEM.
4. While system is discharging, remove lower radia-
tor hose from radiator and drain coolant into a suita-
ble container.
5. Remove fan shroud.
6. On vehicles with automatic transmission, un-
screw oil lines from connectors on lower radiator
tank and plug lines. It is essential that no dirt enters
the oil lines. When unscrewing oil lines, hold connec-
tors on lower radiator tank with pliers to avoid leak-
ages. Ensure that no dirt enters oil cooler.
7. Remove upper radiator hose from radiator.
8. Remove lower attaching nut and slide radiator
upward and out of engine compartment.
9. Remove inlet and outlet hoses from condenser
98-56 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
oil cooler lines to lower radiator tank. It is essential
that no dirt enters the oil lines. When tightening oil
lines hold connectors on lower radiator tank with
pliers to avoid leakages. Ensure that no dirt enters oil
cooler. Torque to 11-15 Ibs. ft.
7. Install fan shroud.
8. Install upper radiator hose.
9. Install lower radiator hose and add collected coo-
lant.
All Opel
1900’s and Manta’s are provided with a
radiator initial fill of an anti-freeze solution contain-
ing corrosion inhibitor. The anti-freeze has either a
glycol or glycerin base and protects the engine
against freezing, down to minus 22 degrees F. (minus
30 degrees C.). Before the start of the cold season,
coolant must be checked with a hydrometer and if
necessary, brought to the necessary specific gravity
by adding anti-freeze. Anti-freeze added, must have
a glycol or glycerin base. As the specific gravities of
all anti-freeze solutions having a glycol or glycerin
base are practically the same, the hydrometer can be
used for all these types. Because of the tolerances of
the hydrometer, or slight differences in specific
gravity, variations of plus or minus 5 degrees can be
expected. Coolant must be checked at a temperature
of plus 68 degrees F. (plus 20 degrees C.).
IO. Install negative battery cable and air cleaner.
11. Charge system. Refer to CHARGING SYS-
TEM.
Figure 99.80 Location of Idler Pulley and Bracket
Assembly
- GTFigure 99.81 Idler Pulley and Bracket Assembly and
Support Bracket GT
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF
COMPRESSOR. GT
I. Removenegative battery cable from battery.
Figure 98-82 Compressor Adapter Fitting, Ground
Wire. and Front and Rear Mounting Bolts
- GT
Figure 99.83
Elecirical Connector and Ground Wire
GT
REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS96.61
CAPILLARY T”BEFigure 98.95 Evaporator and Expansion Valve
Assembly GT
valve from refrigerant lines, and tape closed open
ends of lines and inlet and outlet ports of expansion
valve.
Installation5. Install resistor assembly.
6. Install evaporator assembly into car and install
mounting bracket. See Figure
9B-96.Figure 98.96 Evaporator and Blower Assembly
- GT
If expansion valve or refrigerant lines have been ex-
posed to
,the atmosphere for any amount of time and
moisture may have entered the valve or the system,
flush the system and install new receiver-dehydrator
or valve as necessary.7. Untape the refrigerant lines and the inlet and
outlet pipes from the evaporator and install using
new o-rings on line fittings.
Due to the possible adjustment difficulties involved
if the expansion valve is disassembled, disaisembly of
the valve is not recommended. The valve may be
cleaned by submerging it in a bath of trichlorethy-
lene, alcohol, or similar solvent. Dry by blowing iil-tered compressed air through the outlet port of the
valve. The filter screen at the inlet port may be re-
placed. Remove screen by threading a lo-32 NF
screw intp old filter screen. With a washer and a nut
on the screw arranged to work as a puller screw, hold
the body of the screw and turn the nut. Insert the
new filter screen into the inlet port and lightly tap
screen only enough to seat.
1. Install expansion valve using new o-rings during
installation. Lubricate o-rings prior to installation
using No. 525 viscosity oil.
2. Install evaporator assembly and case attaching
screws.
3. Install blower motor assembly into case and se-
cure with attaching screws.
4. Install finger guard shields and fan housing case.Figure 98-97 Refrigerant Hoses and Hose Clamps
Under Car
- GT
REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS9B- 73
F
Figure 9B-137 Shaft and Front Needle Thrust BEin Cylinder Half
I1
:igure 98.138 Installing Piston Into Cylinder Half
Service Piston Sliown
3. Generously coat with clean petroleum jelly two
“zero” thrust races, and a new needle thrust bearing.
Assemble races and bearing to front end of shaft and
wash plate assembly and insert assembly into front
cylinder ‘(see Figure
9B-137).
8. Repeat preceding step for reassembly of pistons
No. “2” and No. “3”.
9. Reassemble rear cylinder onto front cylinder
us-
ing wood block and mallet (see Figure 9B-140).
4. Assemble two additional “zero” thrust races and
a new needle thrust bearing to rear end of shaft and
wash plate assembly.
5. Lightly coat ball pockets of the three pistons with
clean petroleum jelly and place a piston drive ball in
each pocket.
6. Lightly coat the three “zero” shoe discs with
clean petroleum jelly and place a disc on only the
piston drive ball at the front of each piston.
Do not place shoe discs on rear piston drive balls. Do
not reassemble piston rings on pistons (if service pis-
tons) at this time. Use lubricant in
sufEcient quantity
so that piston drive balls and shoe discs stick to
piston.
7. Rotate shaft and
wash plate assembly until high
point of wash plate is over No. “1” cylinder bore.
Position No. “1” piston onto
wash plate (see Figure
9B-137) and lower the piston and wash plate so the
front end (notched end
- see Figure 9B-138) of the
piston enters the cylinder bore.
In
order’to tit the piston onto the stiash plate, the
shaft and
wash plate assembly must be raised ap-
proximately
l/2 inch, and also the front needle
thrust
bearing and races must be held up against the
hub of the
wash plate.
Figure 98.140 Assembling Rear Cylinder Half
10. Remove cylinder assembly from on top of com-
pressing fixture (J-9397), position assembly inside
fixture so that discharge tube opening in cylinder
halves is located between fixture legs, and front of
cylinder assembly is downward. Install and torque
fixture nuts to 15 lb. ft.
11. Gage piston play as follows:
9B-76 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
race. If, for example a feeler gage reading of 0.009
inch results, a thrust race with a number “9”,
stamped on it should be selected.Thrust Race TableSERVICEID NO.THICK-
PART NO. ON RACE
NESS
6556000
0.0920
6556050
5.09656556055
5l/2.09706556060
6.0975
65560656
l/2.09806556070
7.0985
6556075
7l/2.09906556080
8.0995
6556085
8l/2.lOOO6556090
T/2,100s
65560959.lOlO
655610010,101s
655610510 l/2.10206556110
.10256556115
11111/2.10306556120
12.1035The selected thrust race will replace only the “zero”
outer rear thrust race. The remaining three “zero”
thrust races will remain as part of the cylinder assem-
bly.
13. Remove cylinder assembly from inside compress-
ing fixture (J-9397), place on top of compressing
fixture (see Figure 9B-133) and disassemble rear cyl-
inder from front cylinder using rubber mallet or
hammer and wood block.
14. Carefully disassemble one piston at a time from
front cylinder and lay piston, front and rear piston
drive balls and front “zero” shoe disc in respective
slot of parts tray (J-9402). To disassemble, rotatewash plate until piston is at highest point, raise awash plate approximately
l/2 inch and lift out pis-
ton and related parts, one at a time.
15. Remove outer rear ‘?ero” thrust race from shaft
and set it aside for future gaging procedures.
16. Remove previously selected outer rear thrust
race from parts tray, lightly coat with clear pe-
troleum jelly and assemble onto shaft.
Final Reassembly of Cylinder Assembly1. Reassemble piston rings (if service pistons) onto
pistons (ring scraper groove toward center of piston)
and rotate ring so that break or gap in ring can be
squeezed together when piston is being inserted into
cylinder bore.
2. Reassemble piston drive balls, “zero” and se-lected shoe discs onto No. “1” piston, and apply
clear petroleum jelly to piston pockets and shoe discs
so that balls and discs stick to piston. BE SURE to
reassemble balls and shoe discs into their specific
positions on front and rear of piston.
3. Rotate shaft and wash plate assembly until high
point of wash plate is over No. “1” cylinder bore.
Position No. “1” piston onto wash plate (see Figure9B-146) and lower the piston and wash plate so that
the front end (notched end) of the piston enters the
cylinder bore.XTED OUTER
/REAR ZERO
THRUST RACE
PISTON RINGGAP SHOULD BE
TOWARD
98-118Figure 98.146 Installing Piston Assembly in Front
Cvlinder Half - Service Pistons Shown
Figure 98.147 Compressing Front Piston Rings
-Service Pistons