how do i recharge my AC?
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
how do i recharge my AC? disconnected it for the cam, now i gotta get it filled up again. i hear you need to vaccum the lines out or something? how does one go about doing that? i bought the guage and bottles today. how do i go about getting the moisture out now?
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Re: how do i recharge my AC? Unless you have access to the equipment, you need to drive it to anyone that does AC work and have them pull a vacuum on the system/recharge. The F-body systems usually take around 1.5 lbs of freon. Not sure about a TA, but the Z28 has the sticker on the stock air box showing freon capacity.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 712
Likes: 1
From: Dallas,Texas
Re: how do i recharge my AC? I dont agree with above.. you can trouble shoot
your system for equipment cost less than $25..
found at oriellys and maybe wallmart..
Here is a sheet of trouble shooting tips and
refilling tips.
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=233
note: i had system wide open during header install, did not pull vacume , works fine.
your system for equipment cost less than $25..
found at oriellys and maybe wallmart..
Here is a sheet of trouble shooting tips and
refilling tips.
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=233
note: i had system wide open during header install, did not pull vacume , works fine.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, DE
Re: how do i recharge my AC? If you open up the system you need to evacuate it before you charge it yea it may run ok but he the presure is too high your gonna end up with problems.Find someone with a vaccum pump pul it under than recharge it.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
Re: how do i recharge my AC? does it have to be empty when i get it charged? say i wanted to put just a single can in without cleaning it...could i then take it to a place a couple weeks later. atleast i would have some cold air durring the weeks i cant get it there. or will that just make things worse? its like frickin hot here all of a sudden <img border="0" alt="[guns]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> heat
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Re: how do i recharge my AC? Your call. Moisture in the system is a good way to FUBAR a compressor. Just because you can "get by" without pumping it out doesn't mean it's a good thing. Here's the other down side: if the compressor does go and you buy a remanufactured one to save some bucks, some rebuilders insist you also replace the dryer at the same time or they won't honor their warranty. Reason being they want to ensure there is no moisture/contaminants in the system.
Trending Topics
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Aurora Il
Re: how do i recharge my AC? Compressor likes to only compress gas ... nothing else. Moisture, liquid, etc. will drive up your head pressure, straining the compressor. Eventually , you`ll get blow by or worse.
Compressor is not going to come on with nothing in the system so you`re fine for now. You do want to get it done soon thou as the compressor seals may dry up if the compressor doesn`t run and lubricate them. If you notice the compressor is cycled during winter to keep the seals lubed.
Compressor is not going to come on with nothing in the system so you`re fine for now. You do want to get it done soon thou as the compressor seals may dry up if the compressor doesn`t run and lubricate them. If you notice the compressor is cycled during winter to keep the seals lubed.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 1
From: Chicago (Elgin), IL
Re: how do i recharge my AC? Question Roy. What did you disconnect and if you disconnected it, did it open it up to the atomosphere?
If so, you need to get it vacuumed out professionaly. Otherwise you'll will chew up the accumulator, drier, evaporator and clog the orifice tube (possibly) on top of chewing up the compressor.
However, most a/c systems are like "quick-connect" air compressor systems, where if you disconnect something, it seals itself from the outside therefore keeping the system closed.
If that is the case, you can simply go down to Napa, pick up a recharge kit which includes a hose with the fitting to attach to the LOW PRESSURE SIDE valve and two cans. One is R-134a (NOT FREON like mentioned above) and a lubricant.
Once again, when recharging it, attach the hose to the low pressure side (which should be the only fitting the hose will attach too) otherwise get the system running and touch each line. The high pressure side will be hot with coolant, the low pressure side should be relatively cool comparatively. Do not keep adding extra bottles of R-134a, it'll overcharge the system and the A/c won't get as cold as it should.
If so, you need to get it vacuumed out professionaly. Otherwise you'll will chew up the accumulator, drier, evaporator and clog the orifice tube (possibly) on top of chewing up the compressor.
However, most a/c systems are like "quick-connect" air compressor systems, where if you disconnect something, it seals itself from the outside therefore keeping the system closed.
If that is the case, you can simply go down to Napa, pick up a recharge kit which includes a hose with the fitting to attach to the LOW PRESSURE SIDE valve and two cans. One is R-134a (NOT FREON like mentioned above) and a lubricant.
Once again, when recharging it, attach the hose to the low pressure side (which should be the only fitting the hose will attach too) otherwise get the system running and touch each line. The high pressure side will be hot with coolant, the low pressure side should be relatively cool comparatively. Do not keep adding extra bottles of R-134a, it'll overcharge the system and the A/c won't get as cold as it should.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
Re: how do i recharge my AC? the whole condensor was off. i dont think thats self sealing. i already bought all the AC stuff recharge stuff with a gauge. looks like i cant use it though.
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 1
From: Hot Rainy Humid +2000 DA South Florida
Re: how do i recharge my AC? I just went through the same thing, I had to empty my AC system to build my motor. Anyway, I was figuring I could do it myself and after asking many question about how to do it, the consesus was to have a shop evacuate my line and charge my system. I ended up going to one of those Don Olson Tire Plus shops. They charge $24.95 per lb of freon stuff. But you should have seen what they used to vacuum the lines, they hook my AC up to this huge red rolling computer, they evacuated my lines and tested it for any leaks etc. I'm was stading there thinking, damn no way I could have fixed my AC the right way by myself. Total cost with freon and labor was about $100. I didn't mind paying that since I don't plan to tear the motor out for a while and now my AC blows colder than ever.
I'd recommend just taking it to a shop.
I'd recommend just taking it to a shop.
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Re: how do i recharge my AC? [QUOTE]Originally posted by CMNTMXR57:
[QB]IT'S NOT FREON ANYMORE!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
It's R-134a ozone friendly refrifdgerant. Freon is R-12.
Jesus H, folks, we know that, already. "Freon" is just a generic term for us old timers.
[QB]IT'S NOT FREON ANYMORE!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
It's R-134a ozone friendly refrifdgerant. Freon is R-12.
Jesus H, folks, we know that, already. "Freon" is just a generic term for us old timers.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 1
From: Chicago (Elgin), IL
Re: how do i recharge my AC? IT'S NOT FREON ANYMORE!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
It's R-134a ozone friendly refrifdgerant. Freon is R-12.
Anyway, Dan99shotguns is an HVAC person. I don't know how much he does on the automotive side, but I know he's done a few people in the MFBA's cars. To what extent, I don't know.
The machines we have at the dealer are big "flushing" like machines that purge and vacuum the system dry. You want the system completely dry and then sealed before lubing and charging the system. Moisture and R-12/R134-a don't mix and can cause severe damage to your compressor, condensor, evaporator, drier, orifice tube, etc, etc. The next thing you know, you have a $1,000 bill to replace all them.
Contact Dan and see what he says, otherwise, take it somewhere professional and have it done right.
It's R-134a ozone friendly refrifdgerant. Freon is R-12.
Anyway, Dan99shotguns is an HVAC person. I don't know how much he does on the automotive side, but I know he's done a few people in the MFBA's cars. To what extent, I don't know.
The machines we have at the dealer are big "flushing" like machines that purge and vacuum the system dry. You want the system completely dry and then sealed before lubing and charging the system. Moisture and R-12/R134-a don't mix and can cause severe damage to your compressor, condensor, evaporator, drier, orifice tube, etc, etc. The next thing you know, you have a $1,000 bill to replace all them.
Contact Dan and see what he says, otherwise, take it somewhere professional and have it done right.
