I hate shops and taking my car to mechanics. How do recharge the system ?

 

You can buy a kit from your local autoparts store for ~$40 for a decent one. I got one made by Inter Dynamics and the instructions were very clear to follow.

I strayed away from this job for a long time due to fear of blowing it up or ruining it, but once I got the kit and read the instructions it really isn't that difficult. You can service your system in about 10 minutes.

 

Yep real easy, I think I bought mine from autozone, it was 20-30 bucks, it was the better one which has the gauge that tells you how much you ned to install. Mine needed I think two cans, maybe three and they were about 4-5 bucks easch. You just hook the hose up to the line and screw the can on, its very very easy.

 

If your AC system is completely discharged, you need to evacuate the system before you recharge it. If there is still refrigerant in the system, the DIY kits are great, and save a lot of money.

 

I just disconnected a long time ago when I did my heads and cam. I dont even remember if anything came out.....I think so.

Anyway ...How do I evacuate it?

 

[QUOTE=Seanndog
Anyway ...How do I evacuate it?[/QUOTE]

For that your going to need a AC shop to evacute the line out correctly. As for re-filling it walmart sell a kit call EZ charge (comes with hook up line, pressure gage, and bottle)

 

Definately evacuate it with a vacuum pump, I bought a used one at a pawn shop, and since it is now fall, pawn shops should have them in stock, during spring and summer time it is hard to find used vacuum pumps at pawn shops because everyone is buying them. One last thing, buy a vacuum pump that is electically powered ( plug into wall ) the air powered ones make an air compressor run forever to power them.

 

evacuation and vacuum are 2 seperate steps. an evac mechine will pull the freon out into a sealed container, a vacuum pump will pull it out and exhaust it into the air along with blowing out a good amount of the oil in the pump. if the system was empty you need to have a shop pull it down to a vacuum. if it's not empty you can jus rechagre it.

 

What happens if you don't evacuate before you recharge, when it's empty?

 

When a system is empty there is no need to evacuate. the reason for evacuation is to remove all freon so that when you open the system to repair it the freon doesn't vent into the air.

once all repairs are made and the system is closed back up it is to be placed under vacuum in order to remove the moisture collected while the system was open

 

You guys are confusing recovery with evacuation. Evacuation is a deep vacuum that removes non-condensables (air) and moisture from the system. Takes a special pump to do this. With this system having been opened for some time, it will need a new dryer/receiver, evacuation, and full recharge. Just charging it probably won't do the trick, moisture will freeze at the expansion valve. Air and moisture will form acids with the refrigerant and in time screw up the compressor.