DIY Vehicle A/C Recharge

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

^^^ They had R4 compressors, and good ones can be found. Stay away from ones that are 4 Seasons/Murray. They have used the wrong size yoke? yolk? in them for a long time and they will rattle even right out of the box. I've seen some that have vibrated so much that the metal high and low lines (manifold hose assembly) at the back of the compressor crack and break.

That's a nice set up that you have there Randy!

Thank you!- Every R4 review I've ever read says they're all junk Delco, whatever. I had the Murray with get this- a LIFETIME warranty LOL.

I did it because I didn't want do this crap forever, gettin too old and lazy to wrench.

rjp

[GH85Carrera]

I have the R4 on my El Camino. They are noisy even when new. I always buy a new one, as the rebuilds are really junk. I get the compressor from a local AC shop and always have to have them clock it properly for the mounts to fit. I have an old dead R4 that I bring with me to the shop when I get a new one so I can show them how to clock the fittings.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

High side service port on those vehicles is the worst design I've ever seen. One time use. There's a a little rubber ball looking thing that will leak. Look under that cap for oily residue, if leaking, you will need to replace it. There is a tradition style shraeder valve replacement. Local flaps should have them. Vacuum and recharge.

I don't let anyone near my a/c systems, never know what residuals there are in their gauges/machine. I like doing a/c work, easy peasy

I plan on capping my high side with a metal cap with its own seal. You're correct that they fail. Hard to find a quality one.

[cabmandone]

So I had an interesting one with my son's Rav4. A/C wasn't blowing as cold as it once did. We first changed the cab air filter (the thing was filthy!) The next thing was to add some refrigerant. I'd add some and the temp would drop. Once it got to about 64 degrees vent temp (ambient was 93) it stopped dropping and started climbing. So I took some back out. Drops to around 61 vent temp then climbs to 64. I couldn't get any condensation on the suction line. The sight glass was cloudy which indicated to me that it either wasn't metering properly or it was under charged. I ended up evacuating the system, putting it in a vacuum and recharging with 1.06 lbs R134a. Bam! Thing is dropping down to the mid 40's vent temps!! I don't know if it somehow had non condensables in the system or if something was causing the metering device to stick but it's working like a charm now. Sight glass is clear, condensation on the suction line and a steady stream of condensate drain.

[fastfredracing]

Mee too! I just got a 15 gmc 1500 to replace my worn out work truck. AC does not work, I connected the gauges, ,and saw the high side shoot up to over 400, and the low going over 100 with the compressor engaged. I started to pull some refrigerant out with it still running, and as I saw the gauges settle to where I thought they should be, I noticed the line starting to condense .
Ice ice baby, it works perfect. Some yahoot over charged it