I did an engine swap on my 93 and everything is OK right now, besides the A/C. I'm wondering if I should have it vacuumed and recharge it right now, or will I be OK if I wait until next summer?
I'm mainly worried about whether there's some negative effect (on the compressor, o-rings, etc) of not having anything in the system for a while?
Thanks.

 

you use the a/c compressor in the winter time every time you turn on the defrost. It is used to dry the air so there is less condensation. I would personally recharge it, b/c if you drive it in the winter it will make less wear and tear on the a/c clutch (if it even engages from no pressure). I dont know about the orings drying out, i always thought ford vehicles used those? About every a/c connection i know of is a compression type fitting?

 

I won't be driving the car in winter. It will be stored from late November (or first snow, whichever occurs first) to beginning of April (or whenever is really nice outside). But I was told I shouldn't recharge the system without vacuuming it first.

I also got quoted $100 for vacuuming, pressure testing and recharging today at a local shop.

Of course, I could always buy the 134a kit from Walmart and do it myself, but is this OK without vacuuming first?
Thanks.

 

If the selector switch is on hot/warm the compressor should not come on.

The rule with A/C is that the longer you let it sit uncharged or unserviceable, the more likely it is to give you problems. Seals dry out. I would get it done now and run it every few weeks in winter.

 

Thanks Dave. Does $100 sound reasonable for Vacuuming/Pressure Testing and Recharge? Sounded a little much to me, but then again, I do everything on the car myself...besides things I do not have expensive equipment for.

 

I had to remove the condenser about a month or two ago for the cam swap. I somehow screwed up the fitting at the condenser and the line to the compressor. I bought a new GM line, dryer and condenser. I am going to have it recharged as soon as the car is running again. I think you're "supposed" to turn your air on every month or so even on the winter to keep the seal lubricated. Even though the AC won't be used by me or you during the winter I would think it best to do it now. It's only $100 and if it saves having to work on the DAMNED AC system again I am all for it. That's juts my .02 and I am far from an AC expert. I do know that replacing that line was a huge PIA and I have no interest in doing it again since the new seals dried up.

 

yes, that is a good price. I believe I had Sears automotive do mine on an automated pump/vacuum/recharger machine. That was $120. But I had to get it charged before a long trip home... 2200 miles , sort of a last minute ploy for A/C on the trip

 

I'm trying to think off the top of my head here, but I don't think you had to remove the compressor for the swap? Why did you?

 

$100 for full service evac and fill with leak test is a very good price around me.

I always do it in fall when prices come down a bit.

I run it all year round on cold, warm and hot with windows open and shut just to keep it going.

Done so on all cars I've owned. Never had any expensive AC fixes in 28 years of driving.

I even run it all the time on the 68 in sig. Still has an R12 charge in it that won't give out.

 

When I tried to remove the condenser, the fitting on the line from the condenser to the compressor wasn't budging. After many choice words and hours under there it ended up that both ends of the fitting were FUBAR'ed. I couldn't find any place to weld a new end on the condenser so I had to buy a new one. The line that runs from the condenser to the compressor to the firewall(part name is escaping me right now) is all one line so it had to be replaced due to the fitting being FUBAR'ed as previously stated. It wasn't fun.

 

yea, but I don't think you even have to remove the condensor to put in a cam. It barely fits, but it can be done...

Its all in the past, sorry for druding it up. It doesn't really matter....

 

Since the line needed to come off of the compressor and I was doing the JetHOt long tubes at the same time I figured it would be best to take out the three bolts and drop it out to put the line on w/ it out of the car. Thank GOD it's in the past and that's part of the reason I want to take care of the AC system as much as I can since I have to desire to touch any parts of it again for a LONG time!

madwolf - We have to keep these special(93) cars in top shape! Are you going to charge it?

 

A/C must have been invented in Hell (pun intended)...