A/C system - how to remove the cooling unit, evaporator, expansion valve (13 Viewers)

[Red Merle]

Looking really good so far!

Thanks! This definitely does feel like dabbling in the dark arts a bit though. I am just pulling this off of the two main fittings that are on the little manifold on the compressor. It seems like it shouldn't matter how you hook them up, but I might be blowing it. Next I need to figure out how to get the refrigerant in, but these gauges seem fine so far and the vacuum pump has already been running for 4 hours and hasn't sh!t the bed yet.

I hope I am doing it right!

 

[alia176]

The amount of vac is affected by elevation I believe as I was never able to pull 30Hg of vac at my elevation of 7,000'.

Looking good so far and the fittings only work one way so you're good to go.

 

[Red Merle]

The amount of vac is affected by elevation I believe as I was never able to pull 30Hg of vac at my elevation of 7,000'.

Looking good so far and the fittings only work one way so you're good to go.

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know I am probably not making it worse.

 

[flintknapper]

The amount of vac is affected by elevation I believe as I was never able to pull 30Hg of vac at my elevation of 7,000'.

Looking good so far and the fittings only work one way so you're good to go.

Exactly right on both points.

 

[flintknapper]

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know I am probably not making it worse.

You're doing fine. IF you are in Duluth...then elevation there is about 700' above sea level. Not a significant amount. If you see anything over 29 in.Hg the pump is doing great.

 

[Red Merle]

You're doing fine. IF you are in Duluth...then elevation there is about 700' above sea level. Not a significant amount. If you see anything over 29 in.Hg the pump is doing great.

I am Superior. It's 646 ft above sea level in my neighborhood.

I figure if I was leaking somewhere, I wouldn't be able to keep this up. Looking good, so far!

 

[Satyrod]

Does anyone do nitrogen or argon purges???

 

[Dissent]

I was going to buy I didnt to want spend another $200 for tank and regulators. as long as you hit 29hg of Mercury and let it run for at least 30 min (I did an hour), you will boil out any moisture in in the system. Hitting and holding vacuum is goal number one, running long enough to boil out the moisture is goal number two. An auto AC system isn't very big so I dont think you really need Nitrogen or Argon purge like you would a larger home system. HVAC guys also use the inert gases to save vacuum time. Time is money in their biz.

 

[ZackR]

Does anyone do nitrogen or argon purges???

As @Dissent mentioned vacuum will be enough, let the vacuum pump run for an hour to boil off any moisture in the system.

 

[alia176]

Does anyone do nitrogen or argon purges???

Post #2 of this thread shows me doing a N2 purge and it was quite effective at finding leaks.

 

[Red Merle]

I ran into a snag. I found a significant leak in one of the lines. I also realized that I had forgotten to open the valves into the system so I was just pulling vacuum on the manifold gauge lines all night. I did realize that this morning and I opened the quick connect valves to open the system and then pulled a vacuum for about 2 hours. Then I stopped and was checking the vacuum and I realized I had a leak. I already ordered the new line, but I am hoping I can salvage the drier. I put the rubber cap back on it and I will leave it sealed up until the new line comes in next week.

Is that dumb or should I buy another drier now?

 

[Dissent]

I ran into a snag. I found a significant leak in one of the lines. I also realized that I had forgotten to open the valves into the system so I was just pulling vacuum on the manifold gauge lines all night. I did realize that this morning and I opened the quick connect valves to open the system and then pulled a vacuum for about 2 hours. Then I stopped and was checking the vacuum and I realized I had a leak. I already ordered the new line, but I am hoping I can salvage the drier. I put the rubber cap back on it and I will leave it sealed up until the new line comes in next week.

Is that dumb or should I buy another drier now?

As long as the dryer isn't opened to atmosphere very long, it should be fine. Vacuum is lack of atmosphere and a sealed up system (or mostly sealed up given your small leak) counts too. Now if you left the dryer open for a day, that may saturate it.

 

[Red Merle]

As long as the dryer isn't opened to atmosphere very long, it should be fine. Vacuum is lack of atmosphere and a sealed up system (or mostly sealed up given your small leak) counts too. Now if you left the dryer open for a day, that may saturate it.

I guess it was technically open for a day, but only due to the leak, which isn't very small. It was one of the lines that go through the body and it had worn a hole through it from rubbing on the body hole. I pulled atmosphere through it for 2 hours.

I am just going to order a drier.

 

[Dissent]

Gotcha...it's cheap at least.

 

[Red Merle]

Gotcha...it's cheap at least.

Kind of a bozo move on my part though. I should have tried to pressure test the system before I started, but I just started removing stuff. I am going to add some dye before I try to charge it if this doesn't fix the leak.

Rookie mistake. I can take a couple of mulligans here if I can learn how to do this, have the equipment to do it again and don't have to pay any labor to a shop. Should be less than a $20 oops, but the line needed to be replaced anyway. I thought about patching the line, but that just seems like asking for problems and possibly burning up a bunch of expensive parts in the process.

 

[alia176]

Replacing the air drier will only give you a piece of mind and also remove any self doubts!

 

[Dissent]

Yup. Having your own gear makes it so much easier to redo if need be

 

[Red Merle]

Replacing the air drier will only give you a piece of mind and also remove any self doubts!

Toyota parts in general have that effect on me.

 

[Red Merle]

Yup. Having your own gear makes it so much easier to redo if need be

I would rather pay the machine than the man, but that is another discussion altogether.

I don't think too many mechanics would be doing things to the degree I do them for any amount of money that I could afford, so I just do it myself. I make mistakes, but I learn from them and the next time goes better.

 

[alia176]

I would rather pay the machine than the man, but that is another discussion altogether.

I don't think too many mechanics would be doing things to the degree I do them for any amount of money that I could afford, so I just do it myself. I make mistakes, but I learn from them and the next time goes better.

Can I get a AMEN!!!!! My motto is that I have more time than money.