A/C Questions
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
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From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
A/C Questions Howdy all,
When doing my cam install, I busted the A/C line going from the top passenger side of the condensor to the evaporator. Since the A/C system was empty, I decided to take the condensor off the car entirely when changing my motor mounts. When we took it off, some yellow-green fluid came out of it (just a little bit). I don't know if this was a lubricant or what. It sat open and exposed overnight. Now the new line is in and the condensor is back on the car.
My questions for you are these...
1) Can I just fill the system with R-134a and go?
2) Is there a lubricant that needs to be replaced, or is the lubricant included in the R-134a?
3) Do I need to have someone pull a vaccuum on the system before filling it? If so, is there any way to do this myself?
4) Anything else I should know before firing the A/C back up?
When doing my cam install, I busted the A/C line going from the top passenger side of the condensor to the evaporator. Since the A/C system was empty, I decided to take the condensor off the car entirely when changing my motor mounts. When we took it off, some yellow-green fluid came out of it (just a little bit). I don't know if this was a lubricant or what. It sat open and exposed overnight. Now the new line is in and the condensor is back on the car.
My questions for you are these...
1) Can I just fill the system with R-134a and go?
2) Is there a lubricant that needs to be replaced, or is the lubricant included in the R-134a?
3) Do I need to have someone pull a vaccuum on the system before filling it? If so, is there any way to do this myself?
4) Anything else I should know before firing the A/C back up?
Yes the yellowish-gren fluid that cam out is the oil for the compressor. If just changeing a line then I would probably only add about .5-1.0 once of oil to the system. Since the system stayed open all night it would be a good idea to have someone pull a vaccum on the system on it for atleast 1 hour to remove the moisture from the system. The dryer that is in the system has a desicant bag in it. That bag attracts moisture. If the vaccum is not pulled then you will have moisture in your sytem and the a/c compressor may fail after sooner than expected.
You can get 134A w/oil already added in the can. Unless you have a vac pump and a set of a/c gauges then I do not think of any other way to do it. The dryer that is in the system has a desicant bag in it. That bag attracts moisture.
You can get 134A w/oil already added in the can. Unless you have a vac pump and a set of a/c gauges then I do not think of any other way to do it. The dryer that is in the system has a desicant bag in it. That bag attracts moisture.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
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From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Thanks for the reply. I know I can get a gauge manifold from AutoZone, which I'm okay with doing. However, I don't know if I can get a vaccuum pump from them or if I can hook it to the manifold. Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Can the oil be added directly to the compressor somehow? I don't see a fitting or opening anywhere on it. I don't have a problem adding it in the R-134a, I'm just curious.
Can the oil be added directly to the compressor somehow? I don't see a fitting or opening anywhere on it. I don't have a problem adding it in the R-134a, I'm just curious.
I would recommend buying a can or 2 of the 134a w/the oil already in it. That will be the easiest way to put it in. The a/c vacuum pumps are very expensive, I bought one a couple of weeks ago and it cost me about $350.00 (I am a BMW tech so I use it reguarly). I am not sure but autozone may have one on there rental plan or tool borrowing plan. Maybe someone elso may have a suggestion.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
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From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
I was told that I would have to replace the dryer since there would be moister in the lines... otherwise it could shorten the life of the A/C system. Is this accurate? Will the dryer "fill up" that easily?
It is a rule of thumb that U are to replace the dryer if the system if open for more than 24 hours. I have left them open for a couple days and just pulled a good vacuum for about 1 hour and then charged the system. As far as I know the car I did that to is still running the components that I put on it and it has been about 4 years now. She hasn't complained about the a/c yet. I service it about 2 times a year.
I see several complaints that the ls1 compressors go out pretty regulary. I can't say that not changing it will make any diff on how long the compressor will last. I have a 02 Tahoe w/155,000 miles and the a/c has not been touched since it was charged at the factory. I see that as being on a self decision. I have never cut a dryer open to see how big it is on the inside. I know that on our new cars the dryer is about 8 inches long and an inch in dia. It fit inside the tank on the condensor.
I see several complaints that the ls1 compressors go out pretty regulary. I can't say that not changing it will make any diff on how long the compressor will last. I have a 02 Tahoe w/155,000 miles and the a/c has not been touched since it was charged at the factory. I see that as being on a self decision. I have never cut a dryer open to see how big it is on the inside. I know that on our new cars the dryer is about 8 inches long and an inch in dia. It fit inside the tank on the condensor.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
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From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Last night I rented a manifold gauge set and a vacuum pump. I pulled a vacuum and recharged the system. I have a couple of questions as I may have done something wrong...
1) When you say to pull the vacuum for an hour, do you mean to turn the vacuum pump until the vacuum is constant and then close the valve to hold the vacuum for an hour before charging? Or, do you mean to actually let the vacuum pump run for an hour?
2) What should be the pressure of the low side when the A/C is running?
1) When you say to pull the vacuum for an hour, do you mean to turn the vacuum pump until the vacuum is constant and then close the valve to hold the vacuum for an hour before charging? Or, do you mean to actually let the vacuum pump run for an hour?
2) What should be the pressure of the low side when the A/C is running?
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I mean that you to leave to pump on for about 1 hour. If you let it run for about 30 -35 minutes you should be ok. Pressures should be around 30-38 low side and around 240-255 on high side at idle. These press are close. I am not sure what the factory specs are.
Pulling a vac on a system removes any moistures in the system. The longer you pull a vacuum (pump running) the less likely you are to have any moisture.
Pulling a vac on a system removes any moistures in the system. The longer you pull a vacuum (pump running) the less likely you are to have any moisture.
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