a/c charge

[fsteyer]

Hi-
I just replaced my leaking condenser. I charged the system and the a/c workes but I have to wonder:
1. there has to be air in the circuit
2. so how does one proberly refill/charge an a/c system from scratch?


Thanks

[onewhippedpuppy]

You have to vacuum it down to remove all of the air, then fill it with freon and oil. Has to be done by a pro, unless you want to buy some pricey equipment.

[fsteyer]

thanks -
in the meantime is it just not working at optimum or is is actually damaging my system?
thanks

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you had the system open to atm, running it now isn't ideal. If you lost your system oil you're damaging the seals running it as is. I would go get it vacuumed down and re-filled, that's far cheaper than replacing a compressor. How bad it is I really don't know, but why take a chance?

[joshua43214]

If you charged the system with air in it, you will ruin the compressor and the expansion valve eventualy. Take it to a shop that can fix it properly. Do not use it until then. You will need a new receiver dryer now too since you probably just ruined your old one.

Don't let any one tell you differently. AC charging is not a DIY thing unless you have the equipment to do it properly.

[winfred]

when i service a system or convert it to r134 i drain the compressor and refill with the correct amount of oil usually 5-6 oz depending on the car, i like ester oil as it will do r12 or r134 and is compatable with copper (pag oil and the copper that can be in older cars don't really mix) blow the lines clear with air or flush if the compressor took a dump or it's a contaminated system, replace the drier and expansion valve and clean the crap off of the evaporator and out of the box while i am doing the valve, then vac the system for around 45 minutes, turn the compressor over by hand a few times to clear the oil from the cylinders and charge 4.2# r12 or 3.4# r134 on a e34

[SchnellE34]

noted, thanks gents

[t_marat]

Is this the dryer?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-95...spagenameZWDVW

No sense in buying it as it had also contact with air?

[SchnellE34]

its the big black thing in the bottom right corner, close up it looks like this

[winfred]

dat's de one, you don't want a used drier anymore then you want a used fuel or oil filter

its the big black thing in the bottom right corner, close up it looks like this