AC Question

[SnowSurfLax]

Ok, not into posting on NICO anymore, but that's a difference matter. ONly one I can get to at work. Hopefully fueler might know this one.

How do I check to see if there's any freon left in my AC system? IT finally ate itself. And a black car that's rarely able to park in shade in san diego is not a fun car to drive without AC.

Hoping to just install parts myself and get it charged (if no freon in the system, otherwise will just provide parts and let shop do it).

I looked in the FSM but no dice. Didn't say how except to use "recovery machine".

TIA!

[Pwnin O'Brien]

You can buy a check/charge can at any local auto parts store or a Walmart or anywhere similar. The can will come with a gauge which will tell you the line pressure for the system. You just hook the adapter up to your AC line service port (not sure if it's high or low line, but the can will tell you) and measure the amount of refrigerant in the system. If it's low, you just fill it using the same stuff. If it's at the right pressure, then you can return it and mark that off your list.

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about....

[SnowSurfLax]

Nice! I'll have to look at that. Thanks!

Maybe I'll just do all the work myself... Haha, maybe.

[KyooX4]

There's really no need to pay someone to do this. It's cake!

[SnowSurfLax]

Given that my compressor shat itself and there's likely metal pieces in the tubing, it's probably harder than it looks.

If the system is still pressurized, it's also dangerous (and illegal) to vent the freon into the air.

So no, it's not a piece of cake. Unless there's no more freon. But even then, replacing the compressor, condensor and drier is on the higher end of difficulty as things go. Not to mention adding freon, checking leaks and getting the lubricant level just right.

[Lars]

Plus to do it right, you cant just add the coolant (R134) to the system, you need to evacuate the air and moisture from the system too. Otherwise the air and moisture in the lines will cause another component failure.

[KyooX4]

Well you didn't mention all that stuff. I thought you just needed to charge it.