We do use R134 Right? Im recharging Air tomorrow after 16 months of No A/C.. How Many cans do I need to get?? Thanks RC
134a is correct. 2 small cans I think. You should put the system under a vacuum first to make sure there is no moisture in the system. Are you sure you don't have any leaks? To do it right you really need to put the freon in using the guages.
You really shouldn't fill the system with the cans unless there is some gas in the system. Take a small screwdriver to one of the schrader valves, and see if it squirts gas out at some pressure. If nothing comes out, you really need to find the leak and have the system evacuated to make sure there is no air in it. If you get a good squirt of gas that condenses white, you're golden. Just buy 2 cans and fill it up. Don't worry about how much you put it. It is impossible to overcharge a Ford from the suction side. When the system is full, it will stop sucking in gas. Also, don't get hung up on what brand of R134A you buy, it's all the same. Dupont has the patent on the gas, and is the only company that makes the stuff. So just buy the store brand cans. Kurt
I found it cheaper to buy the one large can from checker. It was a decent buy and came with the gauge so you can save it for next summer. I don't suggest it, but you could just use a screwdriver to let the air out if you have air in the system. Make sure you have the can upside down when filling it so you get the gas in and not the compressed air.
Thanks for the info...I appreciate the concerns about leaks, but here's the deal: I never recharged it since se swapped the engine. My best friend and his dad (former head mechanic at shop for years) are coming over Wed. He just bought a new vacuum pump and he's bringing his profesional gauges. I dont guarantee this isnt a leak, but the system was running fine before we took removed the lines last year. We are going to evacuate then charge 'er up. Anything Im missing here? Thanks RC
It's better to evacuate it if the system has been opened or leaked all the way down, but back when I worked at a used car lot, we just filled the damned things up and about 99% of the time they were fine. The key is to use a brand new accumulator. It's sole function in life is to remove the moisture on the FIRST charge. The desiccate inside the accumulator (also called a drier) does just that, dries the refrigerant of all moisture. You can get by without changing the accumulator, but then you'll have to vac it down, which you seemed to have covered from your posts. Remember, the factory doesn't have time to vac every single brand new car it builds, so the accumulator does the job for them.
If there is any pressure in the system, it's not air my friend, it's refrigerant along with a small amount of oil. you cannot simply "let" the air out, it must be vac'd out because when the pressure inside the system equalizes to match the outside pressure, nothing more will escape.
I noticed I said that. Was typing it up way fast before I ran out the door. I said it completely wrong lol.
Worked without a hitch (FOR ONCE!!). Friend brought is pump he just purchased...Evacuated down to -30mmhg. Let sit for 1/2 hour..held vacuum, so slapped 2 cans of r134 on it....Compressor kicked on right away, didnt make a squeak or squeal....ICE cold now! RC
You would have to have someone with a pump/vacuum empty the system before replacing the accumulator right?
Well no.. because if you're having to replace the accumulator it means your system is completely discharged from either it leaking or having to replace a component. If you're system is just really low, but still has some pressure, then all you have to do is charge it back up. Vaccing it down is used to remove the moisture from the system because the old accumulator can't do it anymore. It also helps to charge the system faster if there's a vacuum present in the system, not to mention it'll tell you if you still have a leak that needs tended to.
i was asking for future reference because the car has been sitting for a long time and if i do have to recharge it, i was gonna replace the accumulator like u mentioned. Unless thats not really necessary.
just depends if there's still pressure or not. Pressure=no really necessary. No Pressure=good idea to change it, even better idea to have it vac'd down after replace the accumulator.
