Swapping out a\c compressor and drier

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Belle, Jul 10, 2004.

  1. Belle

    Belle Guest

    Is there anything I need to know when changing these and recharging on a
    2000 LS 200 3.0?
    Thanks
    Ed

    --





    Work like you don't need money,love like you've been hurt,and dance like no
    one's watching.
     
    Belle, Jul 10, 2004
    #1
  2. Belle

    Oppie Guest

    Account for all oil contained in the parts you remove. Add new oil if
    required, especially if the oil leaked anywhere. Make sure if you add oil
    that you get the right oil for use with the HC134A refrigerant. This often
    winds up being a guestimate as the only way to know exactly how much oil to
    use is by flushing the entire sealed system and starting fresh. This
    requires special equipment though. Do NOT use compressed air!

    When the sealed system is back together, attach a manifold gauge set to the
    low and high side service ports and evacuate to better than 29" Hg. This
    step is particularly important as the vacuum will get any water in the
    system to be vaporized and expelled. The desiccant in the receiver/drier
    will trap moisture but it is best to start as clean as possible. Moisture
    will usually choke the expansion valve and cause problems. Depending on your
    vacuum pump, it should take about an hour to properly evacuate the system.
    Close both high and low side valves on the gauge manifold. and watch the
    compound (low side) gauge to verify that the system is holding vacuum.

    Remove the hose from the vacuum pump and connect to a can of refrigerant.
    Open the valve on the refrigerant and carefully loosen the hose fitting at
    the manifold side to purge air from the hose. Tighten the fitting again and
    start charging the system by again opening the high and low side manifold
    valves. Refrigerant is added by weight according to the spec for your model.
    Charge with vapor only! Can must be upright or you will get liquid which
    flushes oil from the compressor and will kill the bearings on startup.You
    can hasten charging by putting the refrigerant in a warm water bath. When
    you can't get anymore '134 to flow (and have not reached the specified
    weight of gas to add) close the high side manifold gauge, start the engine
    and turn on the AC. Compressor suction should now draw in the remainder of
    the charge. Make sure that the high side valve is closed before starting
    engine. Depending on your equipment, a can may rupture from failing to close
    the high side valve.

    When done, turn off the engine and wait for the pressures to equalize and
    disconnect the gauge set quickly to minimize gas leak. I hold down the hose
    to keep the seal while removing the fitting and then pull back quickly.

    Wear safety glasses when working with refrigerants. Should you get a leak of
    liquid spray on you, it freezes tissue on contact.

    There are shortcuts but they do have consequences. Hope this either helps
    you or convinces you to get it done professionally. Nothing wrong with
    replacing the components yourself and then having the evacuation/recharge
    done by a garage.

    Oppie
     
    Oppie, Jul 12, 2004
    #2
  3. Belle

    Oppie Guest

    Account for all oil contained in the parts you remove. Add new oil if
    required, especially if the oil leaked anywhere. Make sure if you add oil
    that you get the right oil for use with the HC134A refrigerant. This often
    winds up being a guestimate as the only way to know exactly how much oil to
    use is by flushing the entire sealed system and starting fresh. This
    requires special equipment though. Do NOT use compressed air!

    When the sealed system is back together, attach a manifold gauge set to the
    low and high side service ports and evacuate to better than 29" Hg. This
    step is particularly important as the vacuum will get any water in the
    system to be vaporized and expelled. The desiccant in the receiver/drier
    will trap moisture but it is best to start as clean as possible. Moisture
    will usually choke the expansion valve and cause problems. Depending on your
    vacuum pump, it should take about an hour to properly evacuate the system.
    Close both high and low side valves on the gauge manifold. and watch the
    compound (low side) gauge to verify that the system is holding vacuum.

    Remove the hose from the vacuum pump and connect to a can of refrigerant.
    Open the valve on the refrigerant and carefully loosen the hose fitting at
    the manifold side to purge air from the hose. Tighten the fitting again and
    start charging the system by again opening the high and low side manifold
    valves. Refrigerant is added by weight according to the spec for your model.
    Charge with vapor only! Can must be upright or you will get liquid which
    flushes oil from the compressor and will kill the bearings on startup.You
    can hasten charging by putting the refrigerant in a warm water bath. When
    you can't get anymore '134 to flow (and have not reached the specified
    weight of gas to add) close the high side manifold gauge, start the engine
    and turn on the AC. Compressor suction should now draw in the remainder of
    the charge. Make sure that the high side valve is closed before starting
    engine. Depending on your equipment, a can may rupture from failing to close
    the high side valve.

    When done, turn off the engine and wait for the pressures to equalize and
    disconnect the gauge set quickly to minimize gas leak. I hold down the hose
    to keep the seal while removing the fitting and then pull back quickly.

    Wear safety glasses when working with refrigerants. Should you get a leak of
    liquid spray on you, it freezes tissue on contact.

    There are shortcuts but they do have consequences. Hope this either helps
    you or convinces you to get it done professionally. Nothing wrong with
    replacing the components yourself and then having the evacuation/recharge
    done by a garage.

    Oppie
     
    Oppie, Jul 12, 2004
    #3
  4. Belle

    Belle Guest

    I was going to install the components and then take it to a garage to have
    it charged, after reading this post, I think I will have them do it all.
    Thanks so much
    Belle
     
    Belle, Jul 12, 2004
    #4
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