ac recharging

[craigmartinsen]

Hi, I have a 97 land cruiser, was damaged in front and took out the ac dryer, I replaced it and the lines and am ready to recharge. The system was broken and open for several months and I assume its now empty and needs 134 and would like your advice for the best way to approach this situation. I am a heavy equipment mechanic so I can figure most things out, but still not a ac mechanic., and have no gauges.

 

[opie74]

Hi, I have a 97 land cruiser, was damaged in front and took out the ac dryer, I replaced it and the lines and am ready to recharge. The system was broken and open for several months and I assume its now empty and needs 134 and would like your advice for the best way to approach this situation. I am a heavy equipment mechanic so I can figure most things out, but still not a ac mechanic., and have no gauges.

You will want to have the system put under a vacuum to pull all the air and whatnot out of it prior to charging. Your best bet, if you dont have the tools, is to take it somewhere for the initial charge. After that, you can maintain it with supplies found at your local parts store.

 

[chgarcia]

If the system waw open for several month, maybe are dirt and moisture inside it.......
You shoud go to a AC Repair shop and make a clean of the system, if you don't you may damage the valves of the compresor.

 

[splitshot]

If it was damaged in front, your condenser might be compromised as well. Save yourself some dough (chasing leaks) and take it to someone who has a recovery machine. Not hard to spend a couple of hundred on 134a finding that pinhole.
If you are more ambitious after, buy a set of quality guages and a vacuume pump, not that much. A must IMO..

 

[TEPUI]

Is your cruiser a 90 series Prado or an 80 series Land Cruiser (USA)?