Air condition recharge

[xj_dummy]

1990 Cherokee, I bought one of those r-112 to r-134a kits at the zone. On top of the air compressor, there is two inlets one high side and one low. there is two valves? They look like valves to let the freon into the low side. Do you open up both to let freon in when installing r-134a?

[Automan2164]

Those cans are a waste of time. ESPECIALLY with the stop leak. The stop leak will plug a hole for sure, but think about what it does to the compressor? Or the orifice tube? Yikes. I have dealt with auto a/c for awhile, and those cans are the biggest money maker for me on side jobs. What I would do is take a good look at the system, and take it into a place that can pull it into a vacuum and check it for leaks. Holding it in a sustained vacuum will also remove a good amount of moisture (icky bad). Then if it passes, then you can have them charge it. Most places will be in the $200 range to do a leakdown test and charge.

 

Rob L.

[dasbulliwagen]

There is also a procedure for opening and closing the valves. If you don't do it correctly, you will let all your refrigerant right out into the atmosphere. Same goes for your vacuum. I always have to look it up when I'm doing it, just saying you need to be careful with that.

[WahooSteeler]

how hard is it to swap out the compressor and drier? i know it's not "hard", but how involved is it.

[87Chief]

It's really not that hard to remove and install. Just need to vacuum/recover the system first then take ac hoses off of compressor then take the belt off the clutch (usually cheaper to replace whole thing instead of just clutch) then unbolt bolts to compressor and drain the oil then put new oil in the new one...

[JACKED88]

1990 Cherokee, I bought one of those r-112 to r-134a kits at the zone. On top of the air compressor, there is two inlets one high side and one low. there is two valves? They look like valves to let the freon into the low side. Do you open up both to let freon in when installing r-134a?

No!!! If you don't have a set of a/c gauges Do Not open the high side valve while filling the system. Without a set of gauges, there's no reason for you to open it.

 

 

$200 bucks for a vacuum and charge??? Oh hell no!!! :no:

 

First of all you can build your own vacuum pump using an old refrigerator or freezer compressor for about $5 bucks. I've got one that'll pull 30 lbs of vac on a system in less than a minute. (baring any major leaks)

 

If you've opened the system to replace any parts, you'll need to pull a vacuum to dry out any moisture that may have gottin into tha system. About an hour should do unless you've used a solvent and compressed air to clean and blow out tha lines. (advised) In that case pull your vac for at least an additional hour. (3-4 would be better)

 

You can not pull a vac on the system without a set of a/c gauges. You'll have to buy a set or pay somebody to do it. With tha money your gonna have to pay somebody to do it you could buy a set. A decent set runs about $100 bucks.

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... 54345_0_0_

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... 52193_0_0_

 

Other than the instructions that came with your kit, there's numerous sites where you can read detailed info on recharging your system. A quick Google should get you plenty of results.

 

As for building a vac pump out of an old ref/freezer compressor, all you have to do is install a nipple onto the inlet side of the compressor. Tha nipple needs to be tha right size to fit tha middle/yellow a/c gauge hose. Leave the outlet line open.

On mine, I cut tha freon lines about 4" long. Then for installation of a flared adapter fitting, I flared the end of the inlet line, installed the adapter and then installed my hose nipple. Done. (other than hookin up tha power cord)