Need help ASAP... how do I recharge my A/C???

[Killercanary]

My A/C has been discharged since 2001 and since its going to be 90* at Carlisle this weekend I want to try to charge my AC today. What all is needed, and is there a way that I can check for leaks before I add the refrigerant? I usually search these things but I don't have the time today and really want to try and get it working. Any help is appreciated!

 

[ScratchinFerTra]

Paul,
I am assuming that you disconnected the lines for your motor build, so you will need to purge the system, ie pull a vacuum before adding refrigerant. Then I think our cars take like 2.5 # of refrigerant.
If you try to use the auto store cans, it will likely not take with the lines not purged and just throw money away.
A true expert may know, but I think you need a shop with an AC machine to get it going again.
Stan

 

[Zero_chance]

I agree. Get it done the right way. 9 times out of ten those parts store cans are a waste... if your system has a hole in it, putting more refrigerant in will help for a few days tops and then itll leak out again. Why waste the money? BUt back to your situation, if it was disconnected for your build it needs to be recharged the right way like was said, with a vacuum pulled and then checked for leaks.

 

[ProKiller]

i was thinking the same thing. Mines been empty for two years now. was going to stop and get the cans tonight and try it. i put two cans in my Jeep when the compressor went. we replaced it with a JY one and recharged it. It held for a couple months then i sold it so i can't say if its still good 8 months later or not. I'd say give it a shot. the cans cost what maybe 30 bucks for two.

 

[carb95]

i work in in a shop and if u don't vacum the system all of the moisture out of the system u can rupture a a/c line or the condensoir and i don't know any way other than a a/c machine to vacum an a/c system i good luck

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I asked my mechanic about doing MY car when Im done. Even though he "KNOWS" how to charge the A/C, even he said he can NOT do it without taking it to the shop and hooking it to the machine. One of Jose's friends that's helping me said too that the lines should be vacuumed. G/L at Carlisle!
RC

 

[j_lutter31]

I had the A/C recharged in my car yesterday at the ford dealer.....Hate goin to the dealer and payin for them to do the work but i wasn't sure how to do it and if those cans worked or not. Anyways what they did was hook up the machine to the ac lines. It then sucked out all of my regerigirant and it told me there were only 1.5lbs in it its suposed to have 2 lb 2 oz = 2.125 lbs. So it was a little low. Then they ran a 15 min test where it created a vaccum in the lines, this also tested it for leaks since the screen would show a drop in the vaccum pressure. after thats up, it refills the refergianant.

They charged me 60 bucks, 35 of it was for .8 hours of labor, the guy stood there watched it, wandered around the shop checking on it every once in a while. Maybe its just me but $44/hr to stand around and watch a machine is pretty good money if you ask me.......

 

[j_lutter31]

I had the A/C recharged in my car yesterday at the ford dealer.....Hate goin to the dealer and payin for them to do the work but i wasn't sure how to do it and if those cans worked or not. Anyways what they did was hook up the machine to the ac lines. It then sucked out all of my refrigerant and it told me there were only 1.5lbs in it its supposed to have 2 lb 2 oz = 2.125 lbs. So it was a little low. Then they ran a 15 min test where it created a vacuum in the lines, this also tested it for leaks since the screen would show a drop in the vacuum pressure. after thats up, it refills the refrigerant.

They charged me 60 bucks, 35 of it was for .8 hours of labor, the guy stood there watched it, wandered around the shop checking on it every once in a while. Maybe its just me but $44/hr to stand around and watch a machine is pretty good money if you ask me.......

 

[Killercanary]

I'm taking it to the ford garage tomorrow. They quoted me $155 if I don';t have any leaks. Mineke (sp) wanted $135. I'd usually say screw it, but its 77* right now and its supposed to be in the mid '90's this weekend... its going to be brutal!

 

[j_lutter31]

sorry about the double post, fricken dial up you never know if its loading or not, i must have clicked it twice........