Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: MadMatt]
#1631781
06/10/14 06:13 PM
06/10/14 06:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
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Quote:
I'm installing a new R-134a A/C system from Bouchillon. I'm fine with flushing the old evaporator (the only factory part retained) and installing the new components, but I've never charged an A/C system before. I usually operate on the principle that if I can acquire the tools and the knowledge for around what it would cost me to have someone else do it I'll do it myself. But I'm not likely to be doing a lot more A/C work and I don't want to screw up the new system. Any thoughts or suggestions from those with more experience would be most appreciated.
Take it to a pro if you don't want to invest in the equipment for next time.
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: MadMatt]
#1631783
06/10/14 06:27 PM
06/10/14 06:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 16,844
Phoenix - surface of the sun
nomore65BelvJim
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Quote:
I usually operate on the principle that if I can acquire the tools and the knowledge for around what it would cost me to have someone else do it I'll do it myself.
Take it to a pro. It'll cost a fraction of what the equipment will. 
I'm big on DIY, especially when it gets me new tools, but A/C "tools" are not cheap.
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: nomore65BelvJim]
#1631784
06/10/14 06:45 PM
06/10/14 06:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
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Quote:
Quote:
I usually operate on the principle that if I can acquire the tools and the knowledge for around what it would cost me to have someone else do it I'll do it myself.
Take it to a pro. It'll cost a fraction of what the equipment will.
I'm big on DIY, especially when it gets me new tools, but A/C "tools" are not cheap.
Years ago I bought gauges, didn't know how to read them for 10 years or more.
Then did what you did put AC on one of my classic cars from bouchillon. I bought a vacuum pump to pull a vacuum.
I still didn't have what I needed to do it right, need a scale to put in the right amount.
Then found a recycling machine on Craigs list from a old retired guy closing up shop near my home. Cost me 600 bucks for a recycling machine, hand held electronic Mac sniffer and Mac dye injector and black light. Since then I have used it a lot at home and at work since I do mechanical work at work for a small fleet. I learned to use it on my own, trial and error and reading the instruction manual that came with it.
I installed AC on my second classic car since.
Should have never bought the gauges and vacuum pump, they were a waste of money. Even with a scale those 3 tools are not enough to work on AC because you need a way to remove the gas for repairs. It's too expensive to blow into the air like I did 20 year ago when I needed to open a system.
It's not hard to do on our old cars, pull a vacuum of 30HG, my machine runs for 15 minutes to pull out air and moisture, most times I run 2-15 minutes vacuum cycles and then leave it sit under vacuum for 15 minutes to check for leaks. Then tell it to inject 2.0 pounds in my challenger systems and in 15 seconds it put's in the freon(R134A) Your done. Gauge readings varies depending outside temps.
I did go to a Car Quest sponsored AC seminar after getting my old machine. Learned some stuff, mainly today's recyclers are more accurate as far as how much gas goes in. Today's AC systems use less gas and it's more critical getting the right amount into the car after repairs.
I have used my machine on new pickup trucks with no problem, worked fine.
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: MadMatt]
#1631785
06/10/14 07:09 PM
06/10/14 07:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,743
Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
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Rio Linda, CA
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If you use their 20% coupon, you can get a Harbor Freight gauge set and vacuum pump for around $150 and you'll have them for life.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#1631786
06/10/14 07:21 PM
06/10/14 07:21 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,397
It's a dry heat
gtx6970
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It's a dry heat
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That is a lot more to understanding an A/C system than just charging it. Imo take it to someone who does. Plus buying the equipment for a one time job is not wise....Unless of course you plan to do multiple a/c jobs a year,,,
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: gtx6970]
#1631787
06/10/14 07:31 PM
06/10/14 07:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
That is a lot more to understanding an A/C system than just charging it.
Imo take it to someone who does.
Plus buying the equipment for a one time job is not wise....Unless of course you plan to do multiple a/c jobs a year,,,
Bill, did you know the guy in Mt Healthy who ran a repair shop for many years, but he also specializes in alloy rim repair. I can't think of his name right now, on the tip of my tongue.
He told me he was still going to repair wheels but was getting out of the general repair business. That's who I bought my machine from.
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: nomore65BelvJim]
#1631788
06/10/14 08:34 PM
06/10/14 08:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
gdonovan
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Oakdale CT
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Retired tech here- Aside from a vacuum pump very little in the way of tools is required.
Vac the system for a 1/2 hour, blow in 1 to 2 cans of R-134 gas using a cheap kit from Autozone (make sure you have oil in the system first) and pop a temp gauge in one of the a/c vent. Start trickling in gas in 15 second shots and watch the outlet temp. Let stabilize.
Keep adding in 10 to 15 second shots till the temp levels off. Done.
"I think its got a hemi"
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: gdonovan]
#1631789
06/10/14 08:50 PM
06/10/14 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
gdonovan
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I Live Here
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Oakdale CT
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Neon system was filled this way, freeze the balls off a brass monkey.
Been doing a/c work since '84, DIY I say.
"I think its got a hemi"
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: gdonovan]
#1631790
06/10/14 09:18 PM
06/10/14 09:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,798
Lyons, CO
MileHighDart
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Lyons, CO
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Quote:
(make sure you have oil in the system first)
This part always confused me. Is there actually oil in the lines? or you just talking about oil in the compressor?
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Re: 1st charge new A/C - DIY or take it to a pro?
[Re: MadMatt]
#1631793
06/11/14 12:35 AM
06/11/14 12:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
MadMatt
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super stock
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Nampa, ID
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Thanks to everyone for all the advice and input! After weighing the cost, the time involved to gather everything, and my own learning curve I've decided to take it to a shop and have it done. Don't know if it is the absolute best decision, but at least I'll likely have cold air this weekend. Thanks again to everyone.
Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
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