A/C System Questions.

["therealdmcvegas" <DMCVegas@xxxx>]

Right now, I'm gearing up to repair my A/C system, and have a few 
questions that hopfully others here who are more familiar with this 
area may have answers to.

1. What are the lengths/specs of the High pressure, the Low pressure, 
and the Adaptor hoses? $170+ for each hose is kinda expensive, and 
I'm not exactly thrilled by the prospect of replacing my existing 
hoses, with more 22+ year old hoses for that price. So a nice price 
comparison to having new barrier hose punched for my car is a 
tempting alternative. Even if I had 50' of hose @ $5 a foot, it's 
still more economical.

2. If I did have custom hoses made, would there be a problem with 
fitting my stock adaptors to the new barrier hose? As I've read while 
researching this issue, barbed connectors can sometimes pierce the 
neoprene inner layer of the hose, resulting in a possible leak.

3. Does a Variable Orifice Valve (VOV) really help? So far in 
researching this little part, I've seen no cons for it's use listed. 
And, I have also seen ones designed specificly for "Severe Climates."

4. If leak detecting dye is added into the system, can this have any 
immediate, or long term negative effects on system performance, 
and/or component life?

5. Does the use of a VOV affect high & low pressues when attempting 
to charge/diagnose the system?

6. I know for a fact that the A/C switch on the accumulator has been 
tampered with. Should I attempt to modify this, or should I simply 
purchase a new switch to return it back to factory calibration?

Thanks in advance, and if I have any more questions, I'll be sure and 
post them! ;)

-Robert
vin 6585 "X"