Fix AC

[AlabamaDan]

I'm still searching for my coolant leak, but I'm also starting to think about the next big thing I need to fix. Since it's almost July and well into the 90s in the deep South, the Air Conditioner is important. It hasn't worked in years and the AC system is nothing I've ever messed with. Where should I start? Should I even consider pulling parts from a jy? How would I know if they're good or not?

[colinnwn]

I'd imagine you have a very slow freon leak. You need to decide if you are going to take it to a pro, or DIY.

 

If DIY I'd buy a vacuum pump and see if you can pull a good vacuum. If you are successful, just try refilling freon and see if it fires up.

 

If you can't pull a vacuum, add leak finder and get a UV light and go to town.

 

Hopefully it will just be a pinhole leak in a rubber line. That was my problem, and about the best case you can hope for.

 

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[Slartibartfast]

I've got a slow leak on my '93. The past couple years I've added a can or two of 134a and brought it back to life. Not sure where it's getting out. One of these days I'll track it down and deal with it, but this is not that day. If it's an O-ring or something I'll probably do the lot of them so I'm not chasing one at a time.

 

A friend of mine went a little overboard on his S10 and we replaced all of the aircon system. We had the dash out anyway to replace some vents and actuators and my friend decided he never wanted to deal with it again, so we replaced everything but the pressure switches. Turned out the compressor had fragged so at least half of what we replaced had chunks in it, so it was a good thing we replaced at least half of what we did. And now that it's done, it blows cold and probably will for the next twenty years.

 

But yeah, I'd probably just tap the shrader with a pick and see if there's still pressure behind it, and if there is (meaning the system's not fully empty due to a massive hole in something), throw a can of 134 at it and see if that gets it going again. Then if it leaks down again, start chasing leaks.

I'd probably avoid wrecker parts for aircon, given the hassle of putting it back together just to find out something doesn't work (or has contaminated everything else).

[onespiritbrain]

I've got a slow leak on my '93. The past couple years I've added a can or two of 134a and brought it back to life. Not sure where it's getting out. One of these days I'll track it down and deal with it, but this is not that day. If it's an O-ring or something I'll probably do the lot of them so I'm not chasing one at a time.

 

A friend of mine went a little overboard on his S10 and we replaced all of the aircon system. We had the dash out anyway to replace some vents and actuators and my friend decided he never wanted to deal with it again, so we replaced everything but the pressure switches. Turned out the compressor had fragged so at least half of what we replaced had chunks in it, so it was a good thing we replaced at least half of what we did. And now that it's done, it blows cold and probably will for the next twenty years.

 

But yeah, I'd probably just tap the shrader with a pick and see if there's still pressure behind it, and if there is (meaning the system's not fully empty due to a massive hole in something), throw a can of 134 at it and see if that gets it going again. Then if it leaks down again, start chasing leaks.

 

I'd probably avoid wrecker parts for aircon, given the hassle of putting it back together just to find out something doesn't work (or has contaminated everything else).

I agree that the junkyard might end up being a mistake that’ll cost you in the end because of contamination. A half plugged evap or condenser is going to look like it flushes out clean but it’s still half full of crud. The only thing I’d JY is the compressor itself because it’s expensive. Flush it super good and refill it with oil before installing it. There’s YouTube videos on how to do that.

 

The best way to check for leaks IMO is to pressurize the system to 300psi with nitrogen and some leak detecting bubble spray stuff. If you can’t get ahold of nitrogen then charge you can try to just charge it with r134 but it’ll only charge to 100-150psi and if it’s a really slow leak you may not see it at all.

 

But if your leak is very slow then you could just charge it with r134 and go with it. Recharge when you need to.

 

 

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[onespiritbrain]

And USE* some leak detector bubble spray stuff.

 

It sounded like I meant to put it in with the charge. You just pressurize the system and spray it everywhere and if there is a leak it’ll blow bubbles.

 

 

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[AlabamaDan]

I thought I'd try DIY. Gotta learn sometime. Sounds like the best thing to start with is hook up some gauges and put in some R134a and see what happens.