Recharging a completely vented AC system?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Chico CA
Recharging a completely vented AC system?
Hi folks, this isn't actually for my vette but everyone here is so knowledgeable so here it goes (and a/c systems are pretty generic). I replaced the a/c compressor on my old 97 f150 which completely opened it to the air. I'd like to re-charge it, can I just buy a recharge kit and plug it in? I've heard I will need to take it to a shop to have the oxygen pumped out... Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
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From: Chico CA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Good idea, I'll check with them. I called a shop and it's going to be waaaaay to expensive to repair properly so I'll probably do the recharge and pray method... old truck, not worth much!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 644
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From: Metro Detroit
If I'm working on an old POS that is barely worth spending money on, I will start filling on the low side, and use a screwdriver to crack open the high side, and bleed some refrigerant out....maybe half a can worth. This does a decent job of purging most of the air out. I wouldn't do this on a vehicle that was worth much, but if you're looking to just get it charged, it will suffice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
If I'm working on an old POS that is barely worth spending money on, I will start filling on the low side, and use a screwdriver to crack open the high side, and bleed some refrigerant out....maybe half a can worth. This does a decent job of purging most of the air out. I wouldn't do this on a vehicle that was worth much, but if you're looking to just get it charged, it will suffice.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Chico CA
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 644
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From: Metro Detroit
You don't want too much oil, or oil that is incompatible. If you know where the leak was, you can see if it shows signs of oil seepage. Usually, if you're not replacing the compressor, condenser, evap, or accumulator, you don't HAVE to add more oil, as that is where most of it settles.
And yes, you can get R-134a with oil in it, as mentioned above...You could prob put one can of refrigerant/oil/stop leak/leak detector, and the rest pure refrigerant.
And yes, you can get R-134a with oil in it, as mentioned above...You could prob put one can of refrigerant/oil/stop leak/leak detector, and the rest pure refrigerant.
Race Director
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From: Hudson WI
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Chico CA
Good idea, I have no idea if it leaked or if the compressor simply failed catastrophically and vented the system so checking for a leak and using stop leak would probably be a good idea.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 644
Likes: 53
From: Metro Detroit
Can you turn the compressor by hand, to verify that it isn't locked up, before you spend the money on refrigerant? If it failed catastrophically, then you have a bunch of parts to replace, due to shrapnel going through the system.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Chico CA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
The original froze completely so I replaced it with a re-man. The truck isn't worth enough to do the job right, if a simple re-charge doesn't do it then it's done for good. If it fails again I'm just going to replace it with a pulley, this is one old beat up truck otherwise I'd spend the time to do it right!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Saint Albans, WV
If I'm working on an old POS that is barely worth spending money on, I will start filling on the low side, and use a screwdriver to crack open the high side, and bleed some refrigerant out....maybe half a can worth. This does a decent job of purging most of the air out. I wouldn't do this on a vehicle that was worth much, but if you're looking to just get it charged, it will suffice.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 644
Likes: 53
From: Metro Detroit
Right. I wouldn't do this on something new, but I have done it many times on beaters, and some are still running years later.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
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From: Chico CA
Quick update, I recharged the system using two of the suggested cans of refrigerant and it works! I don't know that it will work forever but for now it blows cold air so thanks everyone!