L400 Air Conditioning System Flushing Advice Needed

It is. One note - I don't know what is wrong with yours. Don repaired mine and did a great job. Whilst I was rebuilding the system I discovered the problem. All of our Delicas have a different past. Mine was low mileage and beautiful when I bought it. Someone, somewhere in Japan loved it very much. But, after owning it I found it almost certainly sat for a long period of time. The problem was that as the AC had been serviced over the years, no AC oil had been put in it. When I flushed the system, nothing came out. It was bone dry.

Do some research, read over this thread and some others. There is FANTASTIC advice on this forum. I have rebuilt older cars but was intimidated by the AC system. It is just a system. Go slow, heed advice, and try to figure out why yours went tango uniform. Don will rebuild the unit, but you want to make sure you don't trash it again.

For me, I replaced all the o-rings I could (got a kit off of Amazon - did almost (but not all) of them) and also blew out the lines. I have a compressor, so just bought he bit that goes on the end to blow out lines. As soon as I started I found the problem (i.e. nothing). For me the journey ended - no metal fragments or anything else.

But again, it is a learning process. Go slow - you can definitely do it. Oh, almost forgot, R-134a. In my state I can't buy it, but the next state over I can, so I did. Ironically, you can still get the AC service kit from O'Reilly's. I originally took it to a place, but they were more mystified by the Delica than able to help. They were honest and didn't shaft me (which says a lot for them), but I ended up having to self educate if I wanted an AC. I've monitored and tested it all winter - it is still working!

Hope this helps, reach out if you need anything else.
 
Im in Vancouver BC and we’re lucky cause there’s an AC shop here that works on delicas. If I have a series 1 L400 it would be a lot easier to source a new compressor. But I have the series 2 so it’s essentially impossible. Mechanic said I have leaks which is probably what killed the compressor.
 
That's great news. I don't know what I'd do if I found a leak - probably wait until I found out about the guy you're seeing! If you can, post his name here so that others in the regional area can have the info.

I did a lot of research and was ready to try flushing my system when I found it was bone dry. When Don opened it up, he told me all of the internal bits were melted, which was commensurate with overheating (i.e. running with no oil). After servicing it and making sure I had the oil/dye in (why was easy to figure out how much to add since there was ZERO in there!) I've seen no dye leakage. I'd have to check, but I believe it has been around a year. I ran it all summer with no issues. I've checked it during the winter - needed it for defrost - and it has worked 100%. Of note, when it was really cold (around 0 degrees C) the compressor doesn't come on. I thought there was something wrong, but I believe there is a thermal switch in there somewhere. As it warmed up - no issues. I've also pressure checked it this winter and it is holding the correct pressure just fine. I also bought an infrared thermometer which I have used to verify all is well. I checked it a lot the first few weeks, then periodically check to make sure all is well. I probably don't need to now, but it gives me that extra piece of mind (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMI632G/).

Don is super easy to work with and does a fantastic job. You'll see a lot of people on this forum endorsing him, and I can happily join the queue. You're spot on - you can't get a new (good) compressor. I've read some feedback on some of the Chinese ones and it isn't good. You'll get your compressor back and it will look brand new, and indeed is rebuilt to pretty much new.
 
Stewage said:
I've got the AC compressor installed and the system buttoned up. It was leak checked and service. I'm happy to report it is running great.

I have been racking my brain on how it bled out. I didn't replace all the o-rings, but did do most and have inspected for dye and none has presented itself. Until... I pulled the low pressure cap off to check the pressure. Dye was VERY slowly bubbling out. I have a leaky Schrader valve. I wiggled it and it appears to have stopped, but I also know it is a matter of time It's slow, but it is an issue that needs sorting.

I was thinking of getting a tool like this: https://www.amazon.com/Lichamp-Automotive-R1234YF-Installer-Standard/dp/B07QVF2V2R/ - do you know the size of the valve for the Delicas (or are they standard)? Thank you both again very much - I know this thread will be useful to others in the future.
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Hello Stewage!! i am in need of replacing my A/C compressor for my 1995 L400 and having a very difficult time finding one. can you tell me where you found one?? thanks so much!! Amy
 
Hi Amy - quick question - replace or rebuild? I ask because the only replacement options are going to be either used or "new" out of China (AliExpress). I've not heard good things about those - there is some good info from our buddies in Australia on those. I again would HIGHLY recommend Don at Discount Auto AC. My compressor was SHOT and he rebuilt it brilliantly. If you need a new compressor to have rebuilt, I have a couple of thoughts. Ping Steven Lee in Vancouver BC, he sells a lot of parts, including parts pulled from vehicles that are salvage. He's on this forum and active, but can also be reached at https://www.japanesecartrade.com/sunautoimport/about-us.html.

Also, you might IM NDRillot (above) - he's had is Delica AC serviced at a place in Vancouver BC. They might have done units as well.

But, but - bottom line - if you have a compressor right now, get ahold of Don. He's super easy to work with and does stellar work.

Hopefully this is helpful - please do reach out if you need more advice or have more questions.
 
Stewage said:
Hi Amy - quick question - replace or rebuild? I ask because the only replacement options are going to be either used or "new" out of China (AliExpress). I've not heard good things about those - there is some good info from our buddies in Australia on those. I again would HIGHLY recommend Don at Discount Auto AC. My compressor was SHOT and he rebuilt it brilliantly. If you need a new compressor to have rebuilt, I have a couple of thoughts. Ping Steven Lee in Vancouver BC, he sells a lot of parts, including parts pulled from vehicles that are salvage. He's on this forum and active, but can also be reached at https://www.japanesecartrade.com/sunautoimport/about-us.html.

Also, you might IM NDRillot (above) - he's had is Delica AC serviced at a place in Vancouver BC. They might have done units as well.

But, but - bottom line - if you have a compressor right now, get ahold of Don. He's super easy to work with and does stellar work.

Hopefully this is helpful - please do reach out if you need more advice or have more questions.
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This is great! thanks for taking the time with me!! I have one that just died last fall so I can certainly get it sent to Don. do you have any direct contact for him? I actually saw your previous posts mentioning him and I am not sure his exact location. is he in Vancouver BC as well? I can certainly get it sent to him!! I will reach out to Steven Lee as well in the mean time
 
I’ll PM you later tonight with the details when I get back from work. He’s in Georgia now I believe. Used to be in Florida.

Really glad I can be of help, I like giving back to the forum - so many people were so helpful for me when I was getting my Delica up and running!
 
Stewage said:
I’ll PM you later tonight with the details when I get back from work. He’s in Georgia now I believe. Used to be in Florida.

Really glad I can be of help, I like giving back to the forum - so many people were so helpful for me when I was getting my Delica up and running!
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fantastic!!! thank you so much!!!
 
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