Hi... reassembling the AC Evaporator tomorrow (after a leak test first thing) and I have question!! The AC line that goes to the top of the evaporator has this black malleable putty covering the valve/pipe section attached to the evaporator. Local Auto parts places know nothing of this.


a) is it available somewhere?
b) is there some new option/wrap/???
c) ?


Thanks. Looking forward to be on the road again - and with temps over 100, AC is a must.

 

3m strip caulk 5878
Available at Oriellys probably others too
amazon
ebay
Eastwood as their own brand probably the same stuff

 

It is used as an insulator to keep the cold in the pipe. Sometimes it is a sticky black cork looking stuff.

 

3M strip caulk may work but thats not actually what hes refering to. Classic auto air, Old Air Products, Vintage Air, or maybe a shop local that does A/C work will have the tar tape for this app. Its somewhat gritty, about 1.5 inches wide X 1/8 thick. Sorry i dont have an exact name. Cruise some of those sites or just call them, they have it.

 

Actually, it is wrapping the capillary bulb from the expansion valve to hold it against the evaporator outlet. This is necessary for the valve to properly meter freon into the evaporator.

 

What steverw, edzolz and Joe said....get the correct stuff from an auto parts store, etc.

DO NOT use regular black strip chaulk as it doesn't have enough "body"/stiffness to hold the sensor tight against the tube and it'll all probably come loose with underhood heat.

The technical name is Expansion Valve Sensor Tape or something similar....check local auto parts places as they probably have some and you'll save on shipping.

 

Close. Expansion Valve Sensor Putty Seal, GM part number 8846178.

Corvette Central sells a one foot strip for $5.95.

http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...050g&ukey=7059

 

Advance auto parts sells it. Its called "factory air insulation tape" online or they even stock it in some stores near me.

 

Well, things may have changed. O'Reilly does carry the gooey stuff. The part number is #59010 in case anyone tries to get it. 1st O'Reilly -- no one knew what it was. 2nd O'Reilly staff did not know but called a gut they said would know - he provided the part number. Was not in stock but ordered that morning and the had it by 11AM. Nice stuff! Mfg is Murray.


AC is all reassembled and ready for appointment Wednesday for an evac/charge... then it's off to Mel's Diner Wednesday-Night Drive-In, if it does cool down as forecasted (103 today).

 

Most parts store counter help these days only knows how to look parts up in a catalog after you give them the VIN, but to be fair, this isn't exactly a commonly purchased item in most stores.

 

Black tape is cork tape, can get in HVAC place, not used to secure sensor. On A/C systems we use copper band to secure TXV sensor bulb.

 

Stopped in to get a condenser and points set for my 55 at a ORiley's. Counter gut kept bringing up AC condenser up on his computer. I couldn't it through his head I wanted a points condenser, he had no clue what a points condenser was, finally the manager was summoned and there was no problem in him getting my parts but lost any confidence I might have had with anyone on the counter.... Tedd

 

That ship sailed years ago, but in fairness, it's been over FORTY YEARS since any car was built with points and a condenser. How much luck would you have had if you walked into an auto parts store in 1970 and asked for a part for a 1930 car?