I flushed my AC system out replaced the expansion valve, receiver/dryer, and the compressor.

It blows nice cold air 45degrees or so at idle and gets colder when driven.

I flushed with brake cleaner in spray cans after disconnecting everything then i blew it out with compressed air.

Recconected everything and charged with 134.

I have no vaccum so i had to forgo that step.

Oh i changed the o-rings to the green ones also.

Not a proffesional job but it is all i had money for.

the shops want alot of money to recharge and repair a non working system.

A chunk of rust had ruined the compressor previously.

Not a moment too soon on the repair as it is supposed to get in the 90's this week.

Also tinted the windows limo tint in the back and 35 percent in the front.

The guys at my fire station named it the staff car, now it looks like one.



Steve

I'm curious...............Did you do a 134A conversion or stay with R-12????

Also, without vacuuming the system down, how much freon would it take???

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

Ouch!!!

Hi Tango....I missed line 4....I was wondering if by not vacuuming the system down if the moisture would freeze up at the expansion valve and cause a blockage?

__________________
Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

Keep us posted on the long term health of your AC. The vacuuming is a rather important step. Glad it's working, those are good vent temps.

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I used 134.

Very hot today like 90 and so far the system works good.

At idle the temperature does rise so i am thinking of hooking up the electric fan to run any time the ac is on as it might help.

I charged my 94 ford explorer with stop leak and 134 without vaccuming and it has been well over a year and it is still working great but we shall see how it holds up over time.

It had a large leak, like empty in hours so i had nothing to lose.

not the right way but i had no other choice except forgo ac and thats not happining.

Steve

That was interesting.

Never thought of using brake cleaner as flush. Always used acetone.

Have two vacuum pumps and do not use them often. I use VERY dry air when blowing out the flush.

BTW; Harbor Freight Tools, (yeah, I know) has air operated venturi style, (no moving parts) vacuum units for A/C for around $10-$20. (Need at least a five HP air compressor with a large tank to get a good vaccuum).

And you need to run that compressor way longer than is healthy to pull an effective vacuum......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

WOW...I'm shocked your getting good temps. A lot of people are under the delusion that pulling a vacuum is only for removing moisture.
The problem with leaving air in the system is it's non-condensable and accumulates in the condenser.
If you check your head pressure you'll see that it's sky high, putting undue strain on your new compressor.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

When the acid formed by the mixing of moisture and the AC oil eats through something major like the evaporator the relative cost of going to the local equipment rental place and getting a vacuum pump for a weekend is going to look miniscule.

BTW; Harbor Freight Tools, (yeah, I know) has air operated venturi style, (no moving parts) vacuum units for A/C for around $10-$20. (Need at least a five HP air compressor with a large tank to get a good vaccuum).

I purchased this harbor freight vacuum unit. Do you hook it up to the low side hose or high side? Or neither..

can't seem to find the answer by searching...everyone seems just to know how to vacuum.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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Both. You connect to the gauge set mainfold and open both valves. You close the valves before turning off the pump.

I am so jealous, mine just died and it's been in 90's this week. I don't suppose you'd want to take a little to arlington, va to repair mine would ya?

For those of you who might consider using one of these air powered vacuum pumps you should read this :

http://www.aircondition.com/tech/questions/38/Air-Powered-A%7B47%7DC-Vacuum-Pumps

i have about 8 hours into mine so far....probably another two to go if i am lucky....

the serpentine belt really was a pia.... compressor about expected.... everything else seems on track....

i don't have manifold gauges, so i will have to go to harbor freight and get some...they are 40 bucks there....

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]