Aircon TX valve block leak.

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 06 Aug 2004, 13:43

During the Aircon conversion on my aged BX,
Alan advised me to check for leaks at the top of the TX valve block.
Following a warm week trying to find out exactly where the TX valve block has been leaking, I discovered a brass plug in the far (unseen) end of the block. The leak seems to emanate form there. It has an offset hole in it which I take to be for some kind of special peg spanner.
With the refrigerant removed, is it safe to remove this plug, Give it a Hard Stare and replace it with loctite? What's it there for? (Adjusting superheat, I guess but that is beyond my knowledge to tamper with!)
Typical! Alan says that it is likely to leak from the top and it leaks from the bottom. That's Citroens for you.

bernie · Unread post by **bernie** » 06 Aug 2004, 18:43

Hope mine's ok[:)]

Unread post by **alan s** » 06 Aug 2004, 18:51

You've lost me; have you got a pic you can post?
Not a big lover of Loctite unless there's a thread involved. I have used lithage & glycerene in a mix in years gone by but reactions between gases and these refrigeration oils is always a big worry.
Are you sure that there isn't just a blank off cap to go on there?
Alan S

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 06 Aug 2004, 19:00

Sorry Alan, no pic but it is a brass plug about 1/2" diameter, screwed? into the opposite end of the block to the valve itself. One end has the top of the valve with the capillary tube (cabin side of the block )and the leaky plug on the bulkhead end of the block. it does look like a blank off cap though. I assume that it is just screwed in.(And will be a swine to undo, fettle and get back in a sealed condition!)

Unread post by **alan s** » 06 Aug 2004, 19:36

If it's just a plug, then how about thread seal tape????
After all, at that size, it only has to hold up to about 10psi when working, about 40 under normal situations when turned off and maybe 100 on a stinking hot summers day.
Alan S

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 07 Aug 2004, 23:14

@tis indeed screwed in. It is an adjuster for the valve so I was glad that I marked it before dismantling. There was an O ring. A new green one replaced it and the four others. There is a fair bit of corrosion within the valve so I reckon it is on borrowed time. I'll spend a few weeks sourcing a brand new one so that the original never fails.

Unread post by **alan s** » 08 Aug 2004, 12:20

I would suggest an e-mail to Jon who made some inquiries on my behalf over there a few months ago.
From memory, there's a company who specialises in them and who carry them as a stock item.
The part you are talking about is the adjustment to control the liquer flow/frost line from memory and it sounds as though the gland is leaking. It needs to be fixed at the gland where it leaks and not at the thread of the cover to stand much of a chance of success.
Alan S

bernie · Unread post by **bernie** » 08 Aug 2004, 17:36

Oh ah[xx(][xx(]