Recharging the AC

[SolidState]

Hey guys,

The compressor went bad on my 94 two years ago on the day I picked up the car. The be more precise, the clutch imploded. Josh T installed another compressor on the car, and the refridgerant was 'released'.

The AC was strong before it was drained of the r134a, however, I never did fill it because the pully and clutch had a bad wbble to them, so it couldn't be properly gapped.

I now have another ac compressor with a good pully/clutch on it, and was wondering what was involved in recharging the system? I have already picked up an r134a charge kit from WalMart in the US. I am wondering if there is anything I need to know about recharging the system

TIA

 

[TYSHO]

Not much, just read the directions. Also, right now would be a good time to vac out your a/c system. Autozone has a kit that they loan out.

 

[Ishodu]

Teg your going to have to get the system evacuated, to get rid of the moisture and the air in there. Before you add any charge to the system. I think those kits are for recharging after a leak or what not, not to totally refill the system after its been opened with out first evacuating it.

 

[TYSHO]

Yes, they can recharge your whole system. I've done it and still have some left from the kit.

 

[rangerj]

The A/C system has to be vacuumed at 26 to 30 inches of vacuum for a minimum of 30 minutes, one hour is better. Vacuuming will cause any moisture to boil, that is turn into a gasous state, and be vacuumed out. Moisture will **** a compressor. You would not run your engine with water in the crankcase would you.

I vacuum a system for 45 minutes to an hour, then let it sit with the gauges hooked up and watch for any leakdown of vacuum, which would indicate a leak in the system. Then I vacuum for another 30 minutes to ensure all the moisture is out of the system.

I think you can rent a vacuum pump and guages from Auto Zone.

The maximum amount of refrigerant oil in the system should be 7.5 ounces. Do you know what is in the system?

Most auto parts stores sell kits that are used to clean out the system. The condenser and the evaporator should be cleaned. The accumulator/dryer should be replaced as well as the expansion valve line (oriface tube line aka high pressure line).

The compressor should NOT be cleaned, but simply allowed to drain all the oil out. Put 5 ounces of fresh clean oil in the compressor, 1 ounce in the accumulator line, and the rest in the condenser. The oil circulates with the refrigerant.

The above applies to a new or rebuilt compressor. rangerj