Sonar_un

Well, when I did my cam swap, during spring break or so. I had to pull the condenser out of the car. I may have gotten moisure in the AC system because it was left off for a week. However, it is no getting REAL hot here, and its kinda expensive to have the AC system vaccumed out. What are the chances I could screw up my AC Compressor if I were to just go ahead and fill the system up now. Its been a few months or so.

Oh, and what are the proper procedures to fill up the AC system. I have all the equipment, and the bottles of R134A. How many pounds need to go in? Everything goes int he low side right? Even the oil?

Chevero

Sonar, you should (must?) vacuum a system that has been left open, not only to dry it out, but to get all of the "non-condensible" air out.
The moisture will likely freeze in the expansion device, such as the metering tube or expansion valve, blocking the refrigerant flow. The air usually gets trapped in the top of the condenser, which reduces the heat transfer area where the hot gas refrigerant from the compressor is condensed to liquid. The resulting reduced capacity of the condenser will then cause a high pressure problem, perhaps even shutting down the compressor .
The compressor itself usually is not harmed by air or moisture except for the reduced lubrication due to the sludge which might build up due to the oil/water mixing.

I guess what I am saying is: evacuation will be cheap compared to the consequences of running a system full of air and moisture.

mystikkal_69

iTrader: (2)

i couldn't agree more. pull a vacuum. it's cheaper in the end.

Justins86bird

If you don't want to pay a shop to vacuum the system, you can rent vacuum pumps and do it yourself.

SSC

I'm going to go one up on Justin and say get yourself a pump.
Usually the cheap harware/tool stores "Habor Freight and the likes" have vaccum pumps that attach to an air compresser and are dirt cheap $15/20. over the years it will come in handy.