recharging AC?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,047
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From: Longview Texas
recharging AC?
I had to remove my AC condensor but have it all back in now. Can I recharge the system myself with something I buy at the parts store (and if so how much will I need?) or do I need to take it to a shop? I have zero experience working with the AC system.
Thanks.
Scott
Thanks.
Scott
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If I was you.......I would take it someplace and have the system vacuumed down and then recharged so you get the proper amount of freon and oil in the system....the C5 is very picky on the right amount of freon if it is too low you will have issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Do it urself You can get the gauges and vacum pump rented or go to Autozone and get-em for free. You already had enough skills to r &r the condensor, so finish the job. You'll feel good about it.
Just hook up the gauges on the high and low sides Hook the pump on the middle yellow hose open the valve and suck it down for 30 to 40 mins into.
Then Check ur car sticker it will give u how many oz's of oil and freon it takes A safe bet is to add a 1/3 of oil some freon comes with oil and of course you need a total refill of freon and to do that
Recharge on the low side only that the bigger dia lines. High side the smaller and make sure of that ONLY RECHARGE ON THE LOW SIDE.
Then jump ur low presure senor and refill
Go on youtube watch a video or 2 and go for it. Its really not that hard and you can get the A/C Recharging Gauges and pump for Free or rent-em for next to nothing
Just hook up the gauges on the high and low sides Hook the pump on the middle yellow hose open the valve and suck it down for 30 to 40 mins into.
Then Check ur car sticker it will give u how many oz's of oil and freon it takes A safe bet is to add a 1/3 of oil some freon comes with oil and of course you need a total refill of freon and to do that
Recharge on the low side only that the bigger dia lines. High side the smaller and make sure of that ONLY RECHARGE ON THE LOW SIDE.
Then jump ur low presure senor and refill
Go on youtube watch a video or 2 and go for it. Its really not that hard and you can get the A/C Recharging Gauges and pump for Free or rent-em for next to nothing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
You will save hundreds of dollars doing it yourself
Do it urself You can get the gauges and vacum pump rented or go to Autozone and get-em for free. You already had enough skills to r &r the condensor, so finish the job. You'll feel good about it.
Just hook up the gauges on the high and low sides Hook the pump on the middle yellow hose open the valve and suck it down for 30 to 40 mins into.
Then Check ur car sticker it will give u how many oz's of oil and freon it takes A safe bet is to add a 1/3 of oil some freon comes with oil and of course you need a total refill of freon and to do that
Recharge on the low side only that the bigger dia lines. High side the smaller and make sure of that ONLY RECHARGE ON THE LOW SIDE.
Then jump ur low presure senor and refill
Go on youtube watch a video or 2 and go for it. Its really not that hard and you can get the A/C Recharging Gauges and pump for Free or rent-em for next to nothing
Just hook up the gauges on the high and low sides Hook the pump on the middle yellow hose open the valve and suck it down for 30 to 40 mins into.
Then Check ur car sticker it will give u how many oz's of oil and freon it takes A safe bet is to add a 1/3 of oil some freon comes with oil and of course you need a total refill of freon and to do that
Recharge on the low side only that the bigger dia lines. High side the smaller and make sure of that ONLY RECHARGE ON THE LOW SIDE.
Then jump ur low presure senor and refill
Go on youtube watch a video or 2 and go for it. Its really not that hard and you can get the A/C Recharging Gauges and pump for Free or rent-em for next to nothing
I shut it off after a half hour and wait another half hour to make sure the vacuum doesn't drop indicating a leak. Most leaks are at the O rings where the fittings connect to other fittings. Add a few ounces of refrigerant oil for R134a and charge. The vette takes about 1.6 pounds of freon. like 2 or 3 cans (if you are using 12 oz cans. Its cheaper at Sams Club than at the auto stores. Buy a case of 12 and you will have a lifetime supply.
You might want to spend another $5 and replace the orfice tube in the High pressure line on the passenger fender. Mine was bad and cooling was inpaired. A single bolt holds the 2 sections of high pressure line together and I used a pair of needle nose vise grips to get the old orfice tube out.
Good luck with your AC project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Evacuating you need a vacuum pump and as the poster said do this for a half hour with a gauge set with valves open on both side (high and low) when evacuating. I use an old refrigerator compressor which I have connected with hoses to the charge hose on the gauge set.
I shut it off after a half hour and wait another half hour to make sure the vacuum doesn't drop indicating a leak. Most leaks are at the O rings where the fittings connect to other fittings. Add a few ounces of refrigerant oil for R134a and charge. The vette takes about 1.6 pounds of freon. like 2 or 3 cans (if you are using 12 oz cans. Its cheaper at Sams Club than at the auto stores. Buy a case of 12 and you will have a lifetime supply.
You might want to spend another $5 and replace the orfice tube in the High pressure line on the passenger fender. Mine was bad and cooling was inpaired. A single bolt holds the 2 sections of high pressure line together and I used a pair of needle nose vise grips to get the old orfice tube out.
Good luck with your AC project.
I shut it off after a half hour and wait another half hour to make sure the vacuum doesn't drop indicating a leak. Most leaks are at the O rings where the fittings connect to other fittings. Add a few ounces of refrigerant oil for R134a and charge. The vette takes about 1.6 pounds of freon. like 2 or 3 cans (if you are using 12 oz cans. Its cheaper at Sams Club than at the auto stores. Buy a case of 12 and you will have a lifetime supply.
You might want to spend another $5 and replace the orfice tube in the High pressure line on the passenger fender. Mine was bad and cooling was inpaired. A single bolt holds the 2 sections of high pressure line together and I used a pair of needle nose vise grips to get the old orfice tube out.
Good luck with your AC project.
I was having problems with mine too. The high and low pressures weren't responding right.
I replaced the orifice tube (only $2.49 at NAPA) and pulled a vacuum for almost an hour. (most people recommend also replacing the accumulator/receiver/dryer any time the system is opened up too, but I didn't) It held vacuum for quite a while after I turned off the pump.
I added refrigerant and it behaved normally again.
Now I have cold air again.If you have it apart, I agree it is worthwhile changing the orifice tube. It helped on mine.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Agreed but the orfice tube is a filter. Plastic mesh and is normaly replaced when a compressor lets go/goes bad and only is their to catches particles in the system. It can be washer/dryed and or blown out and replaced. Its always a good idea to check it.
Replacing the Acumalator/Dryer is always a plus and will get ya a super cold discharge For-sure but can be reused after a good suck down if the only reason is a leak in the system and or a part being replaced other than a bad compressor
Replacing the Acumalator/Dryer is always a plus and will get ya a super cold discharge For-sure but can be reused after a good suck down if the only reason is a leak in the system and or a part being replaced other than a bad compressor
