i have a 96 maxima gxe and i recently replace the a/c condenser and radiator from a car crash that i have but i would like to apply some freon but they told me that i have to check for leaks first then aply freon but i have seen some freons with leak sealer would that do the seal if i have any leaks ?

 

Autozone sells a leak check product. You could use that to check for leaks. Or you can fill the system with nitrogen gas to check (which is what we do in commercial HVAC). You can also pull a vacuum on the system and watch the guage. If it holda a vacuum youre good, if not you got a leak somewhere, probaly at the fittings at the condenser coil. I dont trust that stop-leak stuff, it's just a temporary band-aid as opposed to fixing the problem.

 

First, it's not freon.

Second, did you replace the drier?

Don't use the 'stop leak' crap, fix it properly.

You are aware that you must have the system evac'ed before filling it with refrigerant, correct? After it's been evacuated, you can check for leaks.

 

can i do de evac on the condenser or do i have to take it to a shop or is there a how to do it ?

 

If you have a vacuum pump then yes, you could do it yourself.

Also, if you plan on filling with cans and judging system content by pressure...just have a shop fill it the correct way. Filling it with a certain amount is the proper way to fill an AC system, not throwing in a few cans and guessing based on line pressure.

Also remember that more oil has to be added now that you've replaced the condenser, per the FSM it's around 2.5 ounces.

 

You can rent the vacuum pump from your local autozone rent the a/c gauges also. You never said if your a/c system was working before the accident. If so then chances are you don't have leak unless your high and low side a/c lines were damaged. First check all the hoses, lines etc.

Buy a a/c accumulator/drier, put this on before you evac the system. Rent the machine(a deposit is required but you get it back) buy gloves, safety glasses and a tire stem tool to press your stem while releasing air and pressure wearing gloves and safety glasses. Lawfully you're supposed to evac the system not release it into the air. Then hook the vacuum pump up to the low side(blue line) opening the gauge and then hook the high side open also (red line) to the high side line and turn on. Keeping the yellow line closed.

Run vacuum for at least 1/2 hour it should reach negative pressure and shut off closing the guages off and waiting at least another 1/2 hour and if it rises you have a leak if not then you can add two 12oz. can of FREON(yes I know it's not called that!)R134a with an oil recharge blended in. Use the yellow line on the a/c gauges and add the r134a thru it. Keeping the red high side closed and opening you blue low side also. You must have your car running at least 1200rpms and a/c on full blast when adding FREON to the system.(the higher rpms condenses it more to get colder air)

It is wise to have your car in a shaded area while doing this. Add the first can(with the oil recharge) and then wait five to ten mins to let the FREON circulate through the system. Then add the second can and then keep your car running additional 10mins. After that you should feel cold air and unhook everything and take the rental back get your money and enjoy!

 

Holy crap, that was hard to read. Try to break up your posts, so it's not one gigantic block of text.

If you acknowledge that R-134a is not Freon, then why do you keep specifically saying Freon? It's like calling a prune a grape, just doesn't make sense.

Also, evacuating and removing the refrigerant (a nice neutral word, we can all use that) from the system are two different operations, FWIW. Just mentioning because you implied that they were the same thing.

 

Just to F&%@ mess with you! I did and FREON FREON FREON

 

 

thanks for that guide i will rent the vacum tomorrow and follow your recomendations

 

another thing do you have a picture of the line from where i have to conect the vacum on the a/c lines ? i see 2 lines one smaller than the other one

 

the smaller is your low side and it should have a cap on it that has the letter L on it and the bigger line is the high side with the cap on it with the letter H Good luck!

 

You got it backwards. Big line is low side, smaller line is high side. But yes, the caps are marked "H" and "L".

 

You are definitely going to have to replace your drier before evacuating your system, because now that you have opened the system up, you have let the worst enemy of A/C in. Air and moisture. Depending on how long you had the system open for, I'd put it on a evacuation for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. And please don't listen to some of the fools on this website, that A/C sealant stuff that you can buy from autozone can destroy your whole entire A/C system. Good luck.