Need to Charge AC, how?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
the lines running to or from the condenser are high side lines. one carries high pressure gas (to be condensed) the other line carries high pressure liquid (condensed refrigerant)
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
just hit me... is this an r12 ac system? being an 88 it might be and i would inquire about as to if its ever been converted to 134a. the low side valve i think is right on the compressor. it might even have an H and an L cast into the head where the service valves thread in to it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
R12, yeah if you can afford it or if the customer is willing to pay. The cost is rediculous.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
1988 originally is R12. I converted my 87 to R134a without issue. The low side is where you will charge the system. It's located on the passenger side off the dryer. You want to change any leaky o-rings first then draw vacuum on the system for atleast 1/2 an hour to boil the moisture out.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,625
Likes: 5,636
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
nope. i get it for around $14 per can.
anything older than 93 is still R-12. i don't convert.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
I am replacing both lines,as well as the dryer and orifice tube. Then I'll put on the vac pump and check for leaks. And I will be dropping some $$to fix, but a shop would kill me on parts markup and labor, an besides the spirit of this forum is diy, right? I have the fuel line disconnect tools, so getting the liquid line off looks to be the one sticky spot. And having AC in my rig would make it really njce! Thank you, C
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
It's a tough one to do.
Gotta wiggle and push and wiggle and push then it suddenly pops off.
The orifice tube is waaaaay down there. you'll need some thin needle nose pliers or have to make a pair like I did.
Gotta wiggle and push and wiggle and push then it suddenly pops off.
The orifice tube is waaaaay down there. you'll need some thin needle nose pliers or have to make a pair like I did.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
yeah, its just a spring up there.
The thing I noticed is that my big thick fuel line disconnects were actually a little to fat to push in there correctly.
I ended up getting it best I could and yanking the rest of the way.
The thing I noticed is that my big thick fuel line disconnects were actually a little to fat to push in there correctly.
I ended up getting it best I could and yanking the rest of the way.