AC charging ? Re: vacuum pump

[Methodical]

I did some research on charging the AC unit. I want to evacuate the system but don't want to spend $200 and up for the evacuation pump. So I checked on Ebay and they have these Venturi type vacuum (Air Vacuum Pump AC Conditioner Evacuation) ofr about $30 shipped. It requires that it be hooked to an air compressor, which I have and the compressor has plenty compacityto handle.
1. Has anyone used a Venturi type vacuum?
2. What are your thoughts on this item?

Thanks

 

[OrangeMustangGt]

i just added that crap from autozone. it worked!

 

[AznStanger3v]

you can do it old school style and just yank the line off and let it flow into the atmosphere.... but thats illegal, so dont get caught. its not a big deal anyways since its R134a. water based and environment friendly (sorta)

 

[mo_dingo]

You can rent the vacuum pump from autozone for $200 which is returned to you when you are done.
Scott

 

[Blackened302]

you can do it old school style and just yank the line off and let it flow into the atmosphere.... but thats illegal, so dont get caught. its not a big deal anyways since its R134a. water based and environment friendly (sorta)

 

[94-302-vert]

The venturi types do eat a lot of air and do not pull as hard of a vaccum as the elecro-mechanical pumps do.

I would say talk to a couple of shops and they may evacuate for almost nothing for ya...

 

[The Green GT]

When i re-did the A/C in my truck we found someone that had a vaccum pump and he vaccumed it and charged it for $50. Then my grandfather found his old vaccum pump.

 

[Methodical]

Thanks. I talked to a guy at Autozone and he said they don't rent that tool. But it sounded as if he did not even know what I was talking about. I tried calling again to talk to someone else but this guy keeps answering the phone. Hopefully they do.

 

[BlackVert]

my mechanic said i could just hook up a recharge kit and not worry about evacuating it.

 

[Blackened302]

my mechanic said i could just hook up a recharge kit and not worry about evacuating it.

hmmm, not sure on that one. i recharged mine and the pressure is a little too high and the compressor won't kick in (even though i've jump-checked it and replaced the low-pressure switch). i think it may be because i added more pressure by doing what your mechanic said and not evacuating the previous charge.

 

[Methodical]

Well mine is evacuated because my service port was leaking. I didn't find out until I charged it and was going for the 2nd can - 1st can went to the atmosphere.

 

[HISSIN50]

Evac has to do with the actual pulling of vac on the system to remove moisture and some residual oil. This is a bit different than having the system at ambient atmospheric pressure.

For what you desire to do Al, you can use the little pump from Harbor Freight. It will also allow you to note that the system holds before you dump fresh stuff in (if you're not done already - I'm lost on the chain of events here).

Good luck.

BTW, what did you fix exactly on the low-side service port to fix the leak? Just curious.

 

[91LX_5L]

you dont really need to evacuate it if its got a semicharge now, you can just add to it. you should evac it but for the price of a vaccume pump its not worth it. unless you know somone locally in the trade.

 

[Methodical]

Evac has to do with the actual pulling of vac on the system to remove moisture and some residual oil. This is a bit different than having the system at ambient atmospheric pressure.

For what you desire to do Al, you can use the little pump from Harbor Freight. It will also allow you to note that the system holds before you dump fresh stuff in (if you're not done already - I'm lost on the chain of events here).

Good luck.

BTW, what did you fix exactly on the low-side service port to fix the leak? Just curious.

I ordered a new low and high side service port valve. They just screw off and are replaceable. The low side was leaking from the schrader valve and high side seemed to be leaking from mabye the seal but I just bought a new one to be sure. I talked the dealer down to $10 each from $16. Can you believe they want $5 each for the caps - I didn't order them just priced them out of curiosity (reusing old ones). I have not fixed the AC yet because only the low side port valvice came in so far. I am still waiting for the high side port. I ordered the Robinair vacuum pump that is used with an air compressor for $50 (waiting for delivery). I figured if it works then fine and if it doesn't I am only out $50 bucks if they won't accept a return because I will try and return it. Oh and I purchased the R134a manifold gauges also.

Note: One thing for sure though the ones you get from Autozone, Advance do not fit properly, especially on the high side.

 

[HISSIN50]

I ordered a new low and high side service port valve. They just screw off and are replaceable. The low side was leaking from the schrader valve and high side seemed to be leaking from mabye the seal but I just bought a new one to be sure. I talked the dealer down to $10 each from $16. Can you believe they want $5 each for the caps - I didn't order them just priced them out of curiosity (reusing old ones). I have not fixed the AC yet because only the low side port valvice came in so far. I am still waiting for the high side port. I ordered the Robinair vacuum pump that is used with an air compressor for $50 (waiting for delivery). I figured if it works then fine and if it doesn't I am only out $50 bucks if they won't accept a return because I will try and return it. Oh and I purchased the R134a manifold gauges also.

Note: One thing for sure though the ones you get from Autozone, Advance do not fit properly, especially on the high side.

Thank you for the info. My low-side port oozes (residue gets on the line), so I'm gonna need to replace it at some point.

That pump you're getting (I think Larry had mentioned it) looks like a nice one - I'd buy it next time. My manifold gauges are kind of a PITA to get on and off too (not Snap-On quality there).

Good luck with it and thanks for the service port info (it looked like the whole cylinder unscrewed [it's not integral to the AC rail] and could be renewed, but I hadnt looked or researched it to find out for sure).

Thanks again.

 

[Methodical]

Thank you for the info. My low-side port oozes (residue gets on the line), so I'm gonna need to replace it at some point.

That pump you're getting (I think Larry had mentioned it) looks like a nice one - I'd buy it next time. My manifold gauges are kind of a PITA to get on and off too (not Snap-On quality there).

Good luck with it and thanks for the service port info (it looked like the whole cylinder unscrewed [it's not integral to the AC rail] and could be renewed, but I hadnt looked or researched it to find out for sure).

Thanks again.

It's best to use a pair of channel locks because the valves are alumininum and a wrench will strip it.

 

[Methodical]

/COLOR]Update:

PuterAmI, GREAT CALL. If I ever see you a 6 pack is on me . I used the Robinaire Air Vac and it worked flawlessly. It actually pull 29.7 within 2 minutes. You can see it just pulling vacuum. I ran the pump for five minutes or so and check to see if the system held the vacuum; it held. Then I ran the vacuum for over 1 hour then began charging. I flooded the system on the high side with 1 can of liquid charge. It sucked that can dry so fast, which I assume means the vacuum was strong.

So for you DIYers take it from me, you can get the Robinaire Air Vac ($50 + $8 shipping) and know that you can get the job done with ease. You don't need those $200 and up pumps. Now, I can't speak on behalf of daily heavy usage (i.e. repair shops) of this pump but DIYers - go for it. Now, I am freezing my ass off.

Note:

1. I have a 30 gallon 150PSI compressor which didn't break a sweat doing the job. I also used the 134a manifold gauge. For those who don't have the gauges, get them. Using only the low side charge hose tells you nothing of what's going on it the system ($ well spent).

2. Do not use those black/blueish colored O-rings that Ford sells. They are too small (Besides the ones in the system are green). Go to Autozone and get the Green O-rings - pack with 4 of each size go for $4. Also, if you have to replace the highside AC service port (both of mine were leaking) it already comes with the Green O-Ring installed (so save yourself some $). Uhmm, funny Ford installs the Green O-ring on its valve but sells the black/blueish ones over the counter<?***:namespace prefix = v /><v:shape id=_x0000_i1028 style="WIDTH: 27.75pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:href="http://forums.stangnet.com/images/smilies/dunno.gif" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/egiiqkw/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image003.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape>

3. AC Service Port Valves PN for future reference: talk them down on the price to $10

Low = F3AZ19E762A $15.82
High = F3AZ19E762B $13.95

Again, Much Thanks Puter