So I'm about to overhaul my entire a/c system. I have found most all the information to make me somewhat comfortable to take this on

But I do have a random question I'm having difficulty finding;
The gauge sets that you use to measure the high and low side pressures, some have a third hose. Is that so you can fill the refrigerant while the gauges are attached?

Thanks, and I'll post back if there's any more questions and updates

 

yes, vacuum and fill through that hose.

 

And vacuum is very important.

After you put everything together the Receiver-Drier should be the last thing you hook up. You don't want that sucking the open air at all.

As it is it will grab any moisture in the now closed system.

By hooking up a vacuum system and putting the entire A/C loop under a vacuum you are effectively changing the boiling point of water.

This causes the moisture in the system to turn to vapor and leave the system thru the vacuum pump. Including all the moisture that the receiver/drier picked up. I would leave it on over night if possible.

It also makes it easier to charge the system since some of the refrigerant will be pulled in by the vacuum in the lines even before you run the compressor.

The next very important thing is to make sure you get oil in the system. Without it the system won't last much time at all.

And by the way, you will most likely have to jump out the low pressure switch on the compressor to get it to run at first until you get enough refrigerant in the system to build pressure.

Good luck.

 

+1 on the vaccume. You must pull vac on the system to remove the air and moisture or the system will not function well at all.

If you are going to open the system I would replace all the o-rings. Perhaps that was your plan already.

 

Might as well clean and disinfect the evaporator coil while youve got everything taken apart.

 

I'm about to put some oil in my A/C system, from what i've been told at several shops, my Maxima takes PAG46...is this correct?

 

yes, i'm planning on doing all the o-rings as well.

also on the list

yes, pag46, NOT pag100.


So with the gauges is there a valve that keeps you from losing vacuum when you switch from the pump to adding refrigerant?

 

all good questions!, I'm preparing to replace my compressor as well, anyone done a step by step write up?