Cold Weather A/C Service?
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Cold Weather A/C Service?
Greetings,
Are there any special procedures for servicing A/C during cold (c. 45 degrees F) ambient temperatures? I've done plenty of A/C service with good results, but always during warmer times of the year. Having found and repaired a leak on my '84 F250 (factory air, previously converted to R134a), I need to do a full draw-down and refill while the weather is still fairly cool.
While drawing a vacuum today, I ran the engine for a while, hoping the increased under hood temperature would help remove any moisture in the system. The receiver/dryer is new, too.
Thanks for any advice.
Karl
'84 F250
Sandy, OR
Are there any special procedures for servicing A/C during cold (c. 45 degrees F) ambient temperatures? I've done plenty of A/C service with good results, but always during warmer times of the year. Having found and repaired a leak on my '84 F250 (factory air, previously converted to R134a), I need to do a full draw-down and refill while the weather is still fairly cool.
While drawing a vacuum today, I ran the engine for a while, hoping the increased under hood temperature would help remove any moisture in the system. The receiver/dryer is new, too.
Thanks for any advice.
Karl
'84 F250
Sandy, OR
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
There is really no good DIY way to evacuate and recharge the system at the temp you mention.
You could warm the various components with a heat gun during evacuation to help moisture vaporize but I believe it would condense back out while traveling through cooler components on the way to the pump.
Getting the proper charge into the system is also tricky. At low temps the pressure in the supply container is also very low. Heating the container to raise the pressure would help.
Gauge readings below approx 60 degrees don't mean a whole lot.
Since you have the system all buttoned up, why not have a shop evacuate and charge the system?
You could warm the various components with a heat gun during evacuation to help moisture vaporize but I believe it would condense back out while traveling through cooler components on the way to the pump.
Getting the proper charge into the system is also tricky. At low temps the pressure in the supply container is also very low. Heating the container to raise the pressure would help.
Gauge readings below approx 60 degrees don't mean a whole lot.
Since you have the system all buttoned up, why not have a shop evacuate and charge the system?
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