Precautions for reinstalling A/C?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Precautions for reinstalling A/C?
I want to put my air conditioning back in when my 383 is finished at the end of the month. I did not do the best job keeping things dry, especially the pump. Besides drying the system by pulling a vacuum, would the pump need to be rebuilt after sitting with it's ports uncovered for about two years?
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 16
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
I want to put my air conditioning back in when my 383 is finished at the end of the month. I did not do the best job keeping things dry, especially the pump. Besides drying the system by pulling a vacuum, would the pump need to be rebuilt after sitting with it's ports uncovered for about two years?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
It might be OK but it's but who knows. There is oil in the pump and if it turns freely and you did not dump the oil it might be OK. Just have to worry about the seals from leaking at the shafts.
You might need to add oil to the system and definitly change the receiver/dryer. There is oil in the evaperator also. Look all at the inlet lines to see if there pitted.
If things look OK, change the dryer, bolt it all back up and take it to a A/C repair station and tell them all you did. You have to put in the proper amount of refig oil and I would let them make that call as well as if there is any other special service item that might have to be done the first time around. It might be worth it getting it done right at first. I'm sure you have the knowledge to add freon after that if need be. And if things don't work, they can take the freon out and you can go to the next step
If it works OK and then later the compress locks up or something else, you then just take it from there. Best of luck
You might need to add oil to the system and definitly change the receiver/dryer. There is oil in the evaperator also. Look all at the inlet lines to see if there pitted.
If things look OK, change the dryer, bolt it all back up and take it to a A/C repair station and tell them all you did. You have to put in the proper amount of refig oil and I would let them make that call as well as if there is any other special service item that might have to be done the first time around. It might be worth it getting it done right at first. I'm sure you have the knowledge to add freon after that if need be. And if things don't work, they can take the freon out and you can go to the next step
If it works OK and then later the compress locks up or something else, you then just take it from there. Best of luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
The compressor, evaporator, dryer are toast as well as most seals. You have to realize that your AC is a sealed system and when you leave it open to the elements the seals dryrot pretty quick. You will to replace the o-rings on the hoses also.
Not to alarm you, but I have heard horror stories about people putting the AC back on, usally seals giving way and destroying the compressor.
And DO NOT reuse the evaporator, the oil in there now has moisteur in it and it is probably rusting from the inside out.
Not to alarm you, but I have heard horror stories about people putting the AC back on, usally seals giving way and destroying the compressor.
And DO NOT reuse the evaporator, the oil in there now has moisteur in it and it is probably rusting from the inside out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Yikes!
So the reason I tore the A/C out was because I broke the inlet to the evaporator and thought that was the perfect excuse to "go lightweight". I did seal up everything as I pulled it out, except for the compressor (why, oh why lord?). The evaporator I just bought from ebay and appears to have been at least capped off properly.
Hmmm... Sounds like it might be a lost cause at this point. I'll look into replacing all the seals at minimum and see about hunting down a good compressor. Thanks for the advise guys!
So the reason I tore the A/C out was because I broke the inlet to the evaporator and thought that was the perfect excuse to "go lightweight". I did seal up everything as I pulled it out, except for the compressor (why, oh why lord?). The evaporator I just bought from ebay and appears to have been at least capped off properly.
Hmmm... Sounds like it might be a lost cause at this point. I'll look into replacing all the seals at minimum and see about hunting down a good compressor. Thanks for the advise guys!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
What about keeping parts in storage?
I bought a new GM AC compressor awhile back. I have had it sitting in the garage for 6 months or so. Now I am worried about it even being good. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 16
Originally Posted by jakers
I bought a new GM AC compressor awhile back. I have had it sitting in the garage for 6 months or so. Now I am worried about it even being good.