Debugging non-working A/C

[cspetros]

What kind of vacuum did you buy for this? I just took off the AC belt when mine died, but you make this sound so easy, I might try it.

 

[jepherz]

I bought the bottom two products here. (hopefully you can see that). Any vacuum that can pull 30 inhgs or so should work, though.

 

[iceman69510]

Quoting jepherz:
Well, I bought a can of 134 oil, 2 cans of r134, a $12 vacuum and a AC gauge set from harbor freight for $45. Vacuumed the system and it held vacuum, charged with the two cans and both gauges were optimal at idle and 2000 RPM. Blows COLD! About $100 in supplies and I ended up with some useful tools and working A/C.

Thanks for all of the help, guys.



Was the system already converted to the R134 fittings?

 

[14u2nV]

Did you order that stuff online? there is a Harbor freight on Noland road.

*considering you posted results the same day, I'm guessing you went to the store. Just making sure. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jepherz]

Quoting iceman69510:
Quoting jepherz:
Well, I bought a can of 134 oil, 2 cans of r134, a $12 vacuum and a AC gauge set from harbor freight for $45. Vacuumed the system and it held vacuum, charged with the two cans and both gauges were optimal at idle and 2000 RPM. Blows COLD! About $100 in supplies and I ended up with some useful tools and working A/C.

Thanks for all of the help, guys.



Was the system already converted to the R134 fittings?



Nope, I put those on as well.

 

[jepherz]

No, got it locally, there's one in Shawnee as well. I also found out that there is Harbor Freight and Harbor Freight USA, not necessarily the same place...

 

[1badgvr4]

So you were able to vacuum down, and fill the system with stuff from harbor freight?

 

[jepherz]

Yes.

 

[Romanova]

Quoting jepherz:
Quoting iceman69510:
Quoting jepherz:
Well, I bought a can of 134 oil, 2 cans of r134, a $12 vacuum and a AC gauge set from harbor freight for $45. Vacuumed the system and it held vacuum, charged with the two cans and both gauges were optimal at idle and 2000 RPM. Blows COLD! About $100 in supplies and I ended up with some useful tools and working A/C.

Thanks for all of the help, guys.



Was the system already converted to the R134 fittings?



Nope, I put those on as well.



Explain process please.

 

[KT]

I smell an epic "How To" thread in the making.

 

[ercp98]

how did you load the 143 oil. those did come in a canister but regular plastic bottles.
please elaborate. thanks.

 

[jepherz]

I just emptied out a full (I think 5 oz?) of PAG oil, which is what you're supposed to use for r134. It comes in the same type of canister that the freon does. After vacuuming the system, emptying the PAG oil into the system until it was gone, and starting the car, the A/C is able to start because of the minimal pressure from the oil. The actual quantities of oil for all parts of the system are in the dealer manual, but it was so close to the amount that came in the can, I didn't bother to measure.

I'll get some pictures of the stuff I used tomorrow.

 

[Romanova]

How hard is it to change the fittings?

 

[jepherz]

Easy, they are just adapters that screw on.

 

[ercp98]

pics???

 

[jepherz]

Here are the adapters, the oil, and the freon I used.