Now that the heater core swap is complete in the 98 TJ, I need to recharge the HVAC. I bought two 12-ounce cans of 134a yesterday thinking this would be an easy Saturday project.....but today I learned that it's necessary to evacuate the lines first. I understand there's a special tool/machine for this job. Rather than pay a service center to do the job, is anyone in the Dover area (who has this device) interested in helping me out for pizza and beer? (I'll come to you, but be aware that I have nice garage.) Thanks.
Recharging the HVAC system
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The tool/Machine is big money shop equipment. Unless someone here has their own shop I doubt anyone owns one. Evacuating the system is not totally necessary. If it was working well before replacing the heater core and evap core and you know you have no leaks, you should be able to just throw a few cans of 134a and maybe a can of oil in it and wish it well.
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The tool/Machine is big money shop equipment. Unless someone here has their own shop I doubt anyone owns one. Evacuating the system is not totally necessary. If it was working well before replacing the heater core and evap core and you know you have no leaks, you should be able to just throw a few cans of 134a and maybe a can of oil in it and wish it well.Not really.
Assuming he had to disconnect the evaporator then there is air in it and it will have to be purged down and then recharged.
And like you said, most hobbiest don't have that equipment.
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Not really.
Assuming he had to disconnect the evaporator then there is air in it and it will have to be purged down and then recharged.
And like you said, most hobbiest don't have that equipment.
Ill admit having someone purge it is the correct way, but Ive done it twice with out purging with no problems, but I'm cheap.
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You can do it with manifold gauges and a vacuum pump like...
http://m.harborfreight.com/air…r12-connectors-96677.html
http://m.harborfreight.com/ac-manifold-gauge-set-60806.html
Or this if you don't want to use the air vacuum.
http://m.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-98076.html
No?
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Well, as usual I got some good input...thanks! The Dover AFB automotive hobby shop has a certified pro who will charge me $50 plus the 134a cost to do the entire job. I just sit in a chair while he works. I'm guessing the bottom line will be around $75. (I'm not allowed to bring my own 134a into the shop.) So, I'm leaning in that direction now. I'm assuming that's better pricing than I'd get elsewhere.Thats a great price.....I would do that.
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That is a good price. To do it right is about an hour labor.
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If you can wait till Saturday I'll do it for $50
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If you drive it to my shop in Wilmington I'll suck it down for free and you can fill it up yourself with your own refrigerant. I have all the equipment. But that being said its not a good idea to fill it up when its cold out. You should wait till spring time because when you put in the refrigerant it will frost up and freeze the lines and take forever to fill. I do A/C recovery and recharging all the time. So if you wait till spring I'll let you use my equipment free. Let me know.
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You can charge during the winter time.... tricks of the trade
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You can try to run the defroster all you want, without the oil, a lot of the modern compressors won't run. I know the one in my XJ wouldn't run. So, you can use it in the defroster vent setting if you need to deice the windshield. You just won't be able to clear off fog as easily.
A neighbor of mine is an AC tech by trade (maintains stuff at UD) but he's a bit of a drive for you to see. Like jaytj said, there are tricks, so I'm sure the guy at the hobby shop can fix you up.
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Jim,
Pull the fuse for the compressor if you want to use the defroster.
Warming the freon before charging will prevent the freezing problems. More about physics than tricks.
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Just bring it up Saturday and we can get it done its not a big deal
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