Air conditioner

[mightymoose_22]

OK... a new question for myself as I am about to tackle something new.

This is a '94 1.9. The A/C has not been run in about a year... in fact it was discharged when the engine was replaced and has not been run since.

I don't know much about A/C... I do know that there are issues with hardening and the like...

Knowing that my system has been drained and not run in about a year, and living in a warm climate, what should by my first steps in getting it recharged and running again?

I would like to think I can run down to the store and buy a can or two and just fill it up... but I doubt I would be so lucky.

Can anyone lend a little direction before I get started?

[bigrod118]

you have to take it to a shop to have it recharged, you cant do it yourself.

[mightymoose_22]

Well just out of curiousity... why not?
I thought the only real need for the shop was to properly discharge the coolant... Any bozo can go into the store and buy some to refill, can't they?
What is the shop going to do that I can't do?

[bigrod118]

you ac sytem is pressureized, so you wont be able to buy fre-on which is what makes your ac cold since its dangerous for the environment, so you cant buy that and be able to pressurize your ac system, thats why you have to go to a shop to drain or fill your ac system, so they can pressurize it and becuae you cant go out and buy fre-on, its not like antifreeze or something like that where you can jsut fill some resivior in your car and have ac.

[frafreg]

I don't know where you live but in New Jersey I just run down to the local Autozone and buy some 134A freon for about $10 to $12 bucks a can. I would try putting in one can to see if the compressor kicks on and if the air begins to feel cold. If the clutch doesn't kick on within the first can, stop, and check to see what else might be wrong. If not, then you haven't wasted too much money.

[escort0526]

actually, it IS much like anti-freeze where you can refill it and have a/c, but in truth you need to go to a shop because the system needs to be evacuated. Freon, (not fre-on) works best in a vacuum. If the system has been inoperable for a year it needs to be evacuated. Yes, you can go to the store and put in some r134a and it should work, but it won't be working correclty. it's your decision how to go about it, that and your wallet. If you do go with the r134a and do it yourself, be sure to put the refrigerant in the correct side, (low) not the high side. that makes a difference too.

[RatLabGuy]

Yeah, honestly the reason you can't do it yerself is b/c of "the right" equipment, which I'm guessing u don't have. To get it going, you first have to evacuate the system - that is, suck everything out of it (espeically any moisture, then contunie to add vacuum (or remove air however you like to think of it). Doing thsi is difficult w/ some expensive tools. Once there is a good vacuum, THEN the freon (and its not really Freon, that is a brand name from DuPont for the original stuff, but not relevant here) is added. Also, you want to be sure they add some oil to the mix, so as to provide lube for the A/C compressor.

However, in your case there may be even more to consider... Why was the system discharged in the 1st place? Did a line have to be disconnected? Most engine cans be removed w/o disconnecting A/C lines if oyu are very careful. How long was it open for? If it was any length of time, you'll need to replace the receiver/dryer - it's job is to absorb moisture, and it gets saturated very fast when exposed to open air. It should cost much (the part) but may be a pain to get to, I haven't looked to see where it is in these cars.

[mightymoose_22]

Maybe there are different state laws regulating the sale of the refrigerant... here in CA I just went down to Target and picked up a couple cans of 134a.

As mentioned above I decided to give it a go just to see what I was dealing with... I turned on the A/C and added a little refrigerant.... but the compressor was not running. A little troubleshooting led me to a bad A/C relay, so I just jumpered it and it ran fine... so I will replace that soon.

With it running I went ahead and charged it up and am getting cool air.... very cool and I am happy to have it here in the Fresno area.

Going back... When the engine was replaced a year ago the A/C lines were disconnected at the compressor and the compressor was lifted out attached to the engine. At the time I just took care to not damage the o-rings and got it back together as quickly as I could.

The system was discharged at a shop before all of this was done... so I would assume it was safe to refill it. Living where I do I wonder what the possibility is of condensation buildup inside there... I would doubt it though considering how hot and dry it has been... but it has been a year... I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens.

I did use refrigerant with oil, and it was also labeled as a system cleaner and leak stopper. I suspect all will be fine so long as it holds pressure.

Thanks for the input... I spent about $25 to get it working and I know a shop would have cost at least $100 more... and since my relay was bad they would have nailed me with extra labor.

[AzTumbleweed]

Tell the shop you just want the system vacuumed. Then you do the rest. Make sure you put in the right amount. It's on a sticker under the hood. Freon (R-12) is slowly going away due to efforts of the federal government.

[butch100]

Originally Posted by AzTumbleweed

Tell the shop you just want the system vacuumed. Then you do the rest. Make sure you put in the right amount. It's on a sticker under the hood. Freon (R-12) is slowly going away due to efforts of the federal government.

All cars made since 91-92 use 134a not r-12

[AzTumbleweed]

Probably more like '94 Butch. My '93 Escort came with R-12 and it's a 'Kalifornia' car. The federal government put a tax on R-12 that continually goes up. The idea is to get it off the market. And it's working. Good idea to change over if you haven't already.