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#1
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How important is A/C Evacuation?
OK, so my AC leaks, probably from the compressor hose fitting O-rings. So, assuming the system now has zero or very little pressure and I pop those fittings off and put new o-rings on in 10 minutes or less, do I really need to evacuate the system before recharging? I'm sure it's a good idea, but is it really necessary?
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#2
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
Quote:
the once vacuum is achieved and held you can add r134. what about a/c oil? do you have any leaks showing? might need fresh compressor oil. make sure you use the green orings.
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WFO! http://www.cardomain.com/id/Schralper "You all laugh cuz I'm different I laught cuz you're all the same." |
#3
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
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#4
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
The whole process would be easier if someone hadn't lifted all my A/C equipment out of my garage. I hope they needed it more than I did.
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#5
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
I put all of the links into the How-Tos.
__________________
. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#6
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
Great links.
Anyone know the correct fully charged low side pressure for our system? You can buy cans of "drier" on the market to add along with your refrigerant, but I have no idea if they are a good idea.
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Peter ART Cryogenic/Slotted Rotors, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, PWR Radiator, Tranny cooler, Stebro, Earthworm's Poly Differential/front & rear swaybar bushings, Koni Inserts and Mychailo SVX Sport Springs all 4 corners, Indigo Blue paint. Liquid Silver Wheels. |
#7
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
Please allow me to post my own experiences. A 92 SVX I owned had no AC for about 2 years. One hot summer day I decided I was going to get an interdynamics kit and charge it up. I charged it and clearly it was leaking from one of those compressor o-rings. I replaced the o-ring, charged it again, and the car had cold AC for the remaining 3 years that I owned it. I never evacuated anything.
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2009 Volvo C70 T5 2008 Volvo S80 V8 2006 Range Rover Sport 2001 Audi S8 |
#8
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
I have recharged a few and had the same luck. They all work and until I got a unit for pressures and a vaccume, I never evacuated any of them.
I have also found out (I am doing a How-To on it) about Hot Shot, which replaces R-12. It is a much better product if converting. It is also compatable with the same oil and does not require barrier hoses or new O-Rings. It is a direct replacement of R-12. Here is the website for the product.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#9
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
I used to have a terrible time when I was buying/driving '80s Hondas. It seemed like every one I bought had a seized A/C Compressor and no matter how careful I was in replacing it, including replacing the filter/drier, professional evac & recharge, etc., none of them worked for very long. I got to wondering if Honda A/C systems and components just weren't well designed.
I wonder how Subaru compares? All of my SVX's have come with working A/C, which is a point in their favor. I had one old Loyale wagon that came with R-12 A/C that was bone-dry empty. I got one of those cheap Interdynamics "death kits" to convert it to R134a withougt changing or evacuating, and it worked OK for over a year. Are Subaru systems just more robust? |
#10
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
The SVX air conditioning system has built in safety components that would prevent sucking air that would contain damaging moisture and it would be rare that evacuation would be necessary. A compressor that goes bad could be the exception, depending on the circumstances.
Keith |
#11
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
Quote:
We're talking about a closed system that has been opened up to the atmosphere. Any freon that was in the system is GONE and replaced with AIR. Air has moisture and depending on the humidity level at the time, a little or a lot. I know everybody jumps on a post like this to say they didn't evacuate the system and it worked ok, so it's not necessary. Well, i know a few people who smoked all their lives and never got cancer, so i guess smoking is not harmful to your health after all! |
#12
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
I agree with the above post. Unfortunately, the degree of 'hack' one deems acceptable is subjective....especially when people don't understand what they are hacking. Don't cut corners unless you know why your doing it (beyond $$$).
I am curious what this safety system is supposed to do to prevent it 'sucking in air'....it certainly doesn't prevent the coolant from leaking out, or the air from taking its place....perhaps your talking about the low pressure compressor kill that all modern cars have that prevent the compressor from spinning if the system has obviously become compromised? This doesnt prevent the system from becoming compromised in the first place though.
__________________
'92 Liquid Silver SVX - Drilled&Slotted Rotors/Canadian OEM Seat Warmers/JDM Folding Mirrors/JDM Clear Corners/Euro Glass Headlights/Euro Headlight Level Adjustment/Euro Shifter Assembly/ECUTune Chip V.1/GARAGE QUEEN! |
#13
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
When the pressure in the system reaches a low level, not near as low as atmospheric pressure, the compressor will not turn on. hence... air is never sucked in.
Keith |
#14
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
But if the system is "opened" by disconnecting any of the fittings or a severe leak, air and moisture does get into the system.
I've recharged without evacuating. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If your willing to waste a charge go for it and see if it works... If it doesn't work, waste the charge and evacuate.
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Dave - 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0 |
#15
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Re: How important is A/C Evacuation?
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"If you do not evacuate your system prior to charge, it may work for awhile, but the moisture will eventually cause corrosion and other unwanted chemical reactions in your A/C system. This will shorten the operating life of your A/C system." Quoted from my first link. |
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