AC for Dummies Help needed
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
AC for Dummies Help needed
OK I read the manual but its Greek to me, I'm not a AC guru. I have an 82 and I believe the compressor is needing replacement, is this something I can swap out? I don't use the AC but its a problem. My question then is, in simple steps how do I change this out? I'm not sure about the pressure and freon in the system. I'm afraid if I take this in they are going to want to rebuild the whole system and charge me big money for a system I don't use, I don't want to remove it, thanks guys!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
You're supposed to have the freon recovered (environmental reasons). But there's no reason to remove the compressor if you dont use it.
Leave the old one there until you decide to fix the whole system, new compressor, drier, valve, blow out evaporator/condenser/lines.
Leave the old one there until you decide to fix the whole system, new compressor, drier, valve, blow out evaporator/condenser/lines.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
You want to be sure the system is not under charge (has refrigerant). To do this, just remove one of the caps where the gauges are screw on to and slightly depress the schrader valve to see if any refrigerant escapes. If not, you can unbolt the compressor hose attachment and the compressor retaining bolts.
If the system is charged, legally you can not dispense refrigerant into the open air and should see a qualified a/c specialist to recapture the gas before opening the system. However, you want to be sure the compressor is bad before replacing it as they are not cheap. If I were you, I'd get a couple of repair estimates to see what the system needs if you plan on getting it working prior to spending any $. Most garages don't charge for this service.
If the system is charged, legally you can not dispense refrigerant into the open air and should see a qualified a/c specialist to recapture the gas before opening the system. However, you want to be sure the compressor is bad before replacing it as they are not cheap. If I were you, I'd get a couple of repair estimates to see what the system needs if you plan on getting it working prior to spending any $. Most garages don't charge for this service.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
Don't take the compressor off and leave the system open to the atmosphere, if you ever want to have the ac working again, it will cost a lot more to fix that problem than what you have now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Redoing your A/C system is not that complicated. You will need a couple of inexpensive tools, and a vacuum provided you have an air compressor.
I got a rebuilt vette compressor, drier, orifice tube, and all the instructions from here:
http://www.autoacsystems.com/_faqs/d...ompressor.html
Place is called CoolZone AC, and you can talk to Angel.
I got a rebuilt compressor and all the parts I needed for less than 150.00. Also, all this was setup for R134.
You can get the Schrader valves and gaskets from auto zone.
I got the big hose from an online "Parts Warehouse" for 65.00.
If your system is left open, or whenever you replace the compressor, your biggest enemy is dust and dirt. You can "vacuum" your entire system by getting a little 20 dollar pump at harbor freight. You hook it up to your comprressor and your completed and sealed A/C system. Then let it run for about 30 minutes.
Get the R134 recharge kit from autozone....and enjoy cold air.
I got a rebuilt vette compressor, drier, orifice tube, and all the instructions from here:
http://www.autoacsystems.com/_faqs/d...ompressor.html
Place is called CoolZone AC, and you can talk to Angel.
I got a rebuilt compressor and all the parts I needed for less than 150.00. Also, all this was setup for R134.
You can get the Schrader valves and gaskets from auto zone.
I got the big hose from an online "Parts Warehouse" for 65.00.
If your system is left open, or whenever you replace the compressor, your biggest enemy is dust and dirt. You can "vacuum" your entire system by getting a little 20 dollar pump at harbor freight. You hook it up to your comprressor and your completed and sealed A/C system. Then let it run for about 30 minutes.
Get the R134 recharge kit from autozone....and enjoy cold air.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
This sounds "doable" if I talk to Angel and with your explanation, I have a compressor and most tools needed for most jobs but I may have another trip to HF in my future. Thanks for the simplified explanation, my head hurt after reading the manual!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No disrespect, but it is against the law to vent R12 into the atmosphere anywhere you go. In many states, it is against the law to tamper with automotive AC systems unless you are a certified automotive HVAC technician.
My advice would be to check your local laws before you do anything further.
Any automative AC shop can keep your stock system running and charged.
My advice would be to check your local laws before you do anything further.
Any automative AC shop can keep your stock system running and charged.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: LI NY
9 times out of ten low refridgerant pressure is the culprit. There is a low pressure saftey switch that prevents the compresser from engaging. This switch can be bypassed briefly to see if the comp clutch engages. If it does then you need to track down a leak and recharge, may be best done by a AC shop.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
OK guys, after having a chance to research the procedures a little closer, and understanding the process better with your help, I think I can go to a qualified person to look at this and understand if whats being done is correct or unnecessary and if I'm getting what is right. I have no intention of releasing the freon into the atmosphere (but I wonder what happens to all the scrap cars?). Anyway, although I'm OK on most of the mechanicals this requires some special tools and I don't plan on using my car for a guinea pig with myself on this one, thanks to all for your input.
