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Broke the AC line doing cam swap

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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 01:52 AM
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Default Broke the AC line doing cam swap

I got a new line so can i just refill it or will I have to put vacume to it so it will pull the freon "spelling" in? I didn't know if the pressure in the can will force it in or not.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 01:58 AM
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You need to pull a vacuum to remove ambient air from the system. Yes you can add freon without pulling a vacuum. If you jump the low pressure switch the compressor will pull a vacuum enough to suck anything in.
The oil in the system will pull moisture right out of the air and hold it, it'll never cool well if you don't pull a vacuum. Hope you taped the lines shut when they broke.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:01 AM
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yea i did. I had a new line back on it in a day or two. My dad has a pump and all the gauges but neither of us know how to use it. haha
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:10 AM
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Just connect a gauge manifold set and a vacuum pump to the system and let it run as long as possible. it will help to start after the engine has run the heat will help.
When you have a good vacuum start the car, turn the a/c on high, close the manifold valves, turn off and disconnect the vacuum pump, connect a can of 134a to the center hose, turn it upside down, purge the line, open the low side. The compressor won't run until you get some pressure in it.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:20 AM
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8a8mfh is correct.

Pump freon in until it will sustain a 35psi or so low side pressure while running.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 10:44 AM
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cool, I will give it a try. thanks
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 11:08 AM
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You should evacuate the system for 15 min and then let it stand for 30 min's to make sure you don't have any leaks.
After you have evacuated the system for 15 min, turn off the pump and close the valves. Then watch the vacuum for 30 min, the vacuum reading should not change (15 or 16 in), if it does you most likely have a leak, fix that before you add freon.

A trick I use is to use a Hair dryer to slowly heat the freon can once it start to be pulled into the system.. this will assist by putting more pressure in the can as it start to empty and you can fully empty almost all of the freon from the can.

Warning....This is just warm to the touch only, not HOT ! Do not use a open flame or heat gun..
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 11:30 AM
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I'm an HVAC/R tech.
Watching the gauge for a leak is a waste of time. The only leak the gauge will detect is a large leak. The correct way to test for leaks is to pressurize it with nitrogen and bubble check the joints.
The correct way to pull a vacuum is to use a digital micron gauge, you can run the pump 15 minutes, close the gauges, make sure the micron gauge is steady. A micron gauge is far more accurate than the manifold gauge.
For a DIY'r I would just run the vacuum pump for as long as possible, and charge it. Bubble testing is optional especially on the hose that was just changed. If it runs out of freon you're out less than $20. You can go from there.


Originally Posted by bczee
You should evacuate the system for 15 min and then let it stand for 30 min's to make sure you don't have any leaks.
After you have evacuated the system for 15 min, turn off the pump and close the valves. Then watch the vacuum for 30 min, the vacuum reading should not change (15 or 16 in), if it does you most likely have a leak, fix that before you add freon.

A trick I use is to use a Hair dryer to slowly heat the freon can once it start to be pulled into the system.. this will assist by putting more pressure in the can as it start to empty and you can fully empty almost all of the freon from the can.

Warning....This is just warm to the touch only, not HOT ! Do not use a open flame or heat gun..
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 01:50 PM
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if you were a havc tech you'd also know freon isn't r134a is duponts name for r12

just bustin your ***** man
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 89Formulaws6
if you were a havc tech you'd also know freon isn't r134a is duponts name for r12

just bustin your ***** man
Yea YOU try telling someone about SUVA 134A, or better yet 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. This place is confusing enough
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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i used to work for an aircondition company and i used 34A i think it was and ill tell you that was the COLDEST A/C ive ever felt, sense it was meant for houses its got a different chemical in it to cool a larger area quicker... and a small car is perfect... nothing to really do with your problem but thought ide throw that in here lol
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 03:48 PM
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AC = Dead weight. Not to mention its parasitic when its turned on. Just get rid of the whole sytem. Just roll down the windows!

Sorry no real tech to add.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by NataSS Inc
AC = Dead weight. Not to mention its parasitic when its turned on. Just get rid of the whole sytem. Just roll down the windows!

Sorry no real tech to add.

Maybe it's not needed for someone living in WA. But some of us like to keep it.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 04:26 PM
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i live in FL and i only use my A/C the 10 minuts im waiting in my car to catch the boat for work... i always ride windows down... someone want to buy an A/C?
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