a/c question
 

Does anyone kow if I put in a new a/c compressor do I have to charge the system right away or can I leave the wires disconected so that it does not ingage untill I get it charged. Or should I put oil in it and hook up the lines. then charge it not sure if the old system had a leek there was not much R-12 left in it at all. My old a/c compressor was not seezed up but had bad bearings on the pulley.

No, you don't have to charge it right away. Make sure it has oil in it. Why not install it and leave the belt off for now? If you are replacing the compressor, you have to replace the receiver/drier. It will also void any compressor warranty you have if you don't replace the receiver/drier.

Why are you replacing the compressor? If the old one went bad, you also need to flush your system to remove all of the bearing material and other junk that is now contaminating everything else.

Scott

You should probably replace the dryer even if the compressor warranty doesn't demand it. I would charge the system right away after a compressor R&R just to keep air and moisture out. But if you put a new dryer on, it is imperative to vacuum the system and recharge it right away. Don't even remove the plugs on the new dryer until it's ready to go in and go under a vacuum.

The compressor won't engage if the system doesn't contain any refrigerant, so you should be okay to install it, but not charge it right away.

Contaminate
 

If the bearings can contaminate the AC Compressor and the whole system do you think a vacuum is going to suck out the contamination when the vacuum doesn't usually suck out all the oil???????? Jim

Very true. A flush is always in order.

You should remember my '96. I just got done reassembling the entire system. I flushed everything except the condenser, dryer and expansion valve, which I replaced. Nothing on the system had failed, but I had a restriction in the dryer so it had to come apart.

I would advise against installing it and leaving it uncharged.

Moisture can react with certain oils and create acidic compounds, which will eat away at the metals in the system - including your new compressor.

If you're not going to flush, evacuate, and charge, you would be better off leaving your new compressor in the box until you're ready for it.....