1986 vette ac
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: SAN DIEGO CA
1986 vette ac
I bought another AC compressor and drier today and was wondering what i need to do to get the system runnng again. as of now there are no ac hoses connected. they were removed while the car was being restored so the system has been open for about a year. The condenser (the radiator at the front of the car) was replaced about 5 years ago. The hoses are in good shape
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Inspect the hoses thoroughly for cracks, splits or blisters; replace if necessary. Replace all O-rings, replace the oriface tube filter, add the correct oil (mineral oil for R12 or Ester oil for R134a), vacuum the system & check for leaks. If no leaks, add required abount of Freon gas.
If you don't have the equipment to pull the vacuum and add the gas, you can do everything up to that point and then take it to a good AC shop to add the gas.
If you don't have the equipment to pull the vacuum and add the gas, you can do everything up to that point and then take it to a good AC shop to add the gas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I agree.
I switched my 86 over to 134 and went to a AC shop to get a new dryer. He inspected my compressor and resealed it, sold me the dryer, and one hose, and sucked down the system so I could refill it for $100 after I installed the compressor and got it running.
Be sure that you refill the compressor with PAG oil, then rotate it a little back and forth to lubricate everything Prior to letting the engine turn it. and then the freon you buy should already have an oil charge mixed in with the freon.
If you put the freon in, rock it from upright to upside down to let the oil flow in, but do not leave it upside down. This makes the freon go in as a liquid which you do not want, and the oil to run in, which you do not want.
That's the way an A/C guy taught me a long time ago, and it always seems to work. He also taught me to use a temp. compensated gauge whenever possible.
I switched my 86 over to 134 and went to a AC shop to get a new dryer. He inspected my compressor and resealed it, sold me the dryer, and one hose, and sucked down the system so I could refill it for $100 after I installed the compressor and got it running.
Be sure that you refill the compressor with PAG oil, then rotate it a little back and forth to lubricate everything Prior to letting the engine turn it. and then the freon you buy should already have an oil charge mixed in with the freon.
If you put the freon in, rock it from upright to upside down to let the oil flow in, but do not leave it upside down. This makes the freon go in as a liquid which you do not want, and the oil to run in, which you do not want.
That's the way an A/C guy taught me a long time ago, and it always seems to work. He also taught me to use a temp. compensated gauge whenever possible.
