Help w /a question on the A/C

[pontiac nino]

Well a few months back when I took the old motor out of the car I remove all the accessories to the a/c, compressor, accumulator and the condenser that thing behind the radiator (dunno what it's really called maybe it's not the condenser).
I put everything back once I put the new motor in but when I took the first one out when I unplugged everything from the a/c it made this hissing noise and let out all the stuff inside, especially from this
I know this is stupid but was that the freon? That funny stuff that came out? I know nothing really about a/c related stuff, and when I went to get my exhaust done well it was then time to refill w/ freon, cuz thats what I thought it was apparently the mechanic told me that was not the problem and I had my system full of freon so he didn't put any, but that I need some part which some a/c switch that turns the compressor on. WTF my a/c always worked and as far as i know i never had probs. w/ it.

I came across those lines to add freon and i put in 4 ounces and it seemed to cool but I also heard the compressor turn on, was this guy just playing me for a dumbazz?

I don't know what to believe but i think he was lying can you guys please help, did i do something wrong in the removal? Does freon stay inside you're system even though you disconnected the hoses.

any help would be greatly appreciated please guys, want to fix this by today. sorry for the long rant [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img]

[pontiac nino]

Cmon guys a little help please. [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]

[saved1]

Yes, the refrigerant is gone, anytime you disconnect the system you loose it. When you added 4oz, that was enough to get the cluth to engage, but you need 16oz for the system to be fully charged.

[pontiac nino]

Hmm....... interesting, I feel betrayed :(

So um adding more refrigerant won't over pressure my A/C system?

[saved1]

You can buy a kit at wallmart that has a 12oz can of refriderant with a gauge on the hose. It has red, yellow and green markings to tell you the status of the system, if you just put 4oz in the other day, this will fill the system to the proper level. You can check your system with this gauge before you start and see the status, It is simple to do. 20 dollars for the kit. It is nice to have the gauge to monitor your system.

[pontiac nino]

Thanks man think i'll do this today [img]smile.gif[/img]

[pontiac nino]

How many cans of freon am i suppose to put???

[saved1]

Just put in the 12oz can. the gauge will show you the level the system is at. IF you put in to much, it will show as overcharged. Just bleed a little off if you have to. The r134a is environmentaly safe (so they say).

[pontiac nino]

car just threw all the refrigerant out :(

[chas]

i think you need to get the system purged, i.e. remove the air. then you can add freon. its likely that a shop will need to do this for you unless you have the equipment.

the canister behind the radiator is called the dryer or accumulator.

[cboney2003]

Probably going to need to recharge the entire system, it's like $75 usually from most auto places.

[saved1]

What happened?

[pontiac nino]

Originally posted by cboney2003:
Probably going to need to recharge the entire system, it's like $75 usually from most auto places.

I paid 7$ for the two cans and I did it myself. [img]smile.gif[/img]


At the aluminum couplings that screw the lines going into the car the one on top is hissing when I turn the a/c on. I put some dye and more refrigerant but I haven't seen any come out, just feel hissing of the air. Guess it's gonnna leak it out again, I wonder if I can use some red silicone to give it a tight fit and to prevent this from happening again.

Anyone know if gasket maker will work on it to give it a tight seal?
Can I use pvc glue? Seems to work well with high pressure and it also dries fast. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[saved1]

The system is designed with o-rings that seal. If you have hissing, you have a bad o-ring.

[camaronat]

If it is the top valve, there is a little schrader valve in there that looks like one from a bicycle, but this one has a longer needle than the bicycle ones. This bastard is probly causing your problems. I think you can get them from any parts store.

Also, you need something to catch most of your freon (cuz you really aren't supposed to let it out into the air). Might just be easier to take it to a shop.

Got mine done at the Chevy dealership for $70. That was with 2 units of R134a and an about 1.5 hrs labor from filling it up, checking for leaks, taking the ref. back out, replacing the valve, putting ref. back in, etc.