AC evacuation / recharge question?

[2QUIK6]

Usually anytime I have AC problems I just take it to my buddies shop..well he sold his business so I took it where my brother has been a time or two...
$160 later they replaced a leaky pressure switch...got it home and the condenser sprung a hole in it...they wated another $350 to replace the consenser.. Well to heck with that...
I got a replacement condensor for $150...

So, do I need to take it somewhere to get the system evacuated or get the air pulled out or simply add freon at this point? AC was working fine up until last week, so its not like its been sitting for a long time empty.

 

[charlief1]

Since the system has been open for longer than an hour it will need an accumulator as well. It absorbs mosture and we've had some humid days lately.

Feel like bringing it down and either rent the tools and knowledge or have me do it?:biggrin:

 

[2QUIK6]

Thanks for the offer. Was talking to my neighbor and he's got a pump at his car lot he's going to bring me Tues. Said it will pull it down to about -10 hg and you do that for about 30 minutes and it will dry the system all out and then recharge. So let me try that route next.

 

[gunslinger]

You should still replace the accumulator. Like Charlie said, the desiccant will be saturated with moisture. You'll also need a vacuum pump that will pull at least 25 in/Hg to boil off any additional moisture in the system.

The way you're doing it will work, but the A/C system won't be working to its fullest potential.

 

[2QUIK6]

Thanks for the tips, did some reading up on the entire system...looks like I need to pull the condensor back off since the old one had a orifice tube in it and I don't know if the new one came with one already installed or not...didn't look..didn't even know it was there until I looked in the old one...duh. Looks like a good idea to change the acculator since it will help save the compressor if there's still moisture in it.

 

[charlief1]

The tube shouldn't be in the condensor, but it may be at the outlet of the condensor. You shouldn't have to pull it off to check but it does help to have a small pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out. Make sure to dunk it in oil so it will slide in easier when you try and instal it.

 

[2QUIK6]

Sure enough, there was not a filter orifice in the consenser end in there. The old one is pretty clogged up with stuff so I'll pick one up with the accumulator.

Next questions, I'll get the pump tomorrow, so should I wait to replace the accumulator then just beofre I'm ready so that the system isn't sitting there for a day with air in it if I change the accum out today?

Also, the R134A I have includes 2.5oz of PAG oil with 11oz of R134a, is that enough oil in about 2 cans or do I need to add some more in the accum before I install it?

 

[RobS]

Sure enough, there was not a filter orifice in the consenser end in there. The old one is pretty clogged up with stuff so I'll pick one up with the accumulator.

Next questions, I'll get the pump tomorrow, so should I wait to replace the accumulator then just beofre I'm ready so that the system isn't sitting there for a day with air in it if I change the accum out today?

Also, the R134A I have includes 2.5oz of PAG oil with 11oz of R134a, is that enough oil in about 2 cans or do I need to add some more in the accum before I install it?

Wait until you have the vacuum pump, new accumulator and orifice before you take the plugs off the accumulator. Install the orifice, accumulator, and vacuum the system as soon as possable.

Did any oil leak out when you opened the system? You are suppose to capture it to measure the amount. Do not reuse it.

My service manual says if you replaced the evaporator add 3 oz of oil plus the amount of oil that leaked out when the system was opened. Drain the oil out of the accumulator. Measure that amount. Don't reuse it. Add that measured amount plus 2 oz of oil. Hope this helps.

 

[2QUIK6]

oh yeah a ton of it was all over the condenser when it blew..
But I was just taking the accumulator off and the tube that goes out the back to the firewall just twisted on me...so I'm done jacking with it...will let the professional now take my dash apart to fix it, out of time now. Should have just left the accumulator alone I guess. Heck I had the system on my LT1 car apart for 2 weeks a few years ago and it worked fine, but too late now, figured it wouldn't hurt to change out the 17 year old accumulator, now it will be an over $1000 fix all said and done since I've already spent $450

 

[RobS]

oh yeah a ton of it was all over the condenser when it blew..
But I was just taking the accumulator off and the tube that goes out the back to the firewall just twisted on me...so I'm done jacking with it...will let the professional now take my dash apart to fix it, out of time now. Should have just left the accumulator alone I guess. Heck I had the system on my LT1 car apart for 2 weeks a few years ago and it worked fine, but too late now, figured it wouldn't hurt to change out the 17 year old accumulator, now it will be an over $1000 fix all said and done since I've already spent $450

I thought you were replacing an evaporator. You add 1oz of oil (plus what leaks out) to a new condensor. Sorry to hear about the loss of $$$$$.

 

[charlief1]

oh yeah a ton of it was all over the condenser when it blew..
But I was just taking the accumulator off and the tube that goes out the back to the firewall just twisted on me...so I'm done jacking with it...will let the professional now take my dash apart to fix it, out of time now. Should have just left the accumulator alone I guess. Heck I had the system on my LT1 car apart for 2 weeks a few years ago and it worked fine, but too late now, figured it wouldn't hurt to change out the 17 year old accumulator, now it will be an over $1000 fix all said and done since I've already spent $450

Sorry to hear it Rob, but I tried to get you to come down.:smile: A/C can be a big pain to say the least and I'd rather had you bring it down and do it here. Should've gotten it done in 1 day and taught you how to do it easier in the end. PM me next time and I should be able to help you out.:biggrin:

 

[2QUIK6]

Sorry to hear it Rob, but I tried to get you to come down.:smile: A/C can be a big pain to say the least and I'd rather had you bring it down and do it here. Should've gotten it done in 1 day and taught you how to do it easier in the end. PM me next time and I should be able to help you out.:biggrin:

I appreciate it and all the help on here. I've literally had about an hour a day to work on it or less so doing a day trip this w/e was out of the question for me, not to mention driving with no ac down there.
Thanks again