So I've been reading the FSM and every thread I can find (search does not work looking for "AC" only in the titles unfortunately), including Jen's recent AC posts. Looks like the system in my "87 FJ60 has already been converted to R134a because of the service fittings on the compressor, but the dryer sure looks old and original.
Back story, last summer it wasn't cooling well, so a friend helped me add some R134a and it was working OK, but I suspected something was amiss because on long trips it would cycle cold, warm, cold, warm, like it was freezing up, then melting, maybe. Fast forward to last week when the weather was hot, I turned it on for the first time all year since fall, and it was not cold at all.
I will be borrowing the gauge set from a buddy, and will begin going thru it per the FSM. I am going to go ahead and restore everything to new, so I bought a drier/rcvr, evap, expansion valve, pressure switch, 0-ring kit, etc. I only want to do this once.
Wish we had a sticky on the AC overhaul. I'll muddle thru it. Plan right now is to get it rebuilt and sealed, then go to the AC shop for a vacuum and charge, as I do not have the equip for that. Hopefully the compressor and condenser is good. Also I want to clean all the leaves and trash out of the airway and cowl. Wish me luck.
Back story, last summer it wasn't cooling well, so a friend helped me add some R134a and it was working OK, but I suspected something was amiss because on long trips it would cycle cold, warm, cold, warm, like it was freezing up, then melting, maybe. Fast forward to last week when the weather was hot, I turned it on for the first time all year since fall, and it was not cold at all.
I will be borrowing the gauge set from a buddy, and will begin going thru it per the FSM. I am going to go ahead and restore everything to new, so I bought a drier/rcvr, evap, expansion valve, pressure switch, 0-ring kit, etc. I only want to do this once.
Wish we had a sticky on the AC overhaul. I'll muddle thru it. Plan right now is to get it rebuilt and sealed, then go to the AC shop for a vacuum and charge, as I do not have the equip for that. Hopefully the compressor and condenser is good. Also I want to clean all the leaves and trash out of the airway and cowl. Wish me luck.