A/C Condenser

[OR VietVet]

Check with your mechanic. You can unplug the compressor and get the money together and fix later. More important things can move to the front of the line. A/C is not important in winter. You will notice a slight difference in defrost capabilities but other than that you will be fine. Depending on where you live you got 3-4 months before a/c could be important.

 

[clandr1]

When I redid the A/C system in my '89 Jimmy, I did all the parts removal/install, then took it to a shop for the vaccum/charging portion. That's what I'd suggest, because shops typically **** you on A/C work. At least you could minimize the cost by doing the labor and parts yourself. Just make sure you lube the o-rings when you assemble the system.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

Check with your mechanic. You can unplug the compressor and get the money together and fix later. More important things can move to the front of the line. A/C is not important in winter. You will notice a slight difference in defrost capabilities but other than that you will be fine. Depending on where you live you got 3-4 months before a/c could be important.

I'm in TX so it could get hot later today for all we know.

---------- Post added at 12:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------

When I redid the A/C system in my '89 Jimmy, I did all the parts removal/install, then took it to a shop for the vaccum/charging portion. That's what I'd suggest, because shops typically **** you on A/C work. At least you could minimize the cost by doing the labor and parts yourself. Just make sure you lube the o-rings when you assemble the system.

Not a bad idea, thanks.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, anytime you have the ability and tools with a/c work and replace what is needed a shop will pull vacuum and recharge.

Way less expensive, as long as you do the parts replacement right.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

My mech might even let me do it at his shop.

 

[OR VietVet]

That is a good mechanic friend.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

Yeah we go way back and he does good work.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

Well, bought a new condenser from AutoZone for about $129. Took the old one out, put new one in. Total time start to finish was about 1.5 hours. Pretty easy for the first time. Now I just have to get it charged

 

[OR VietVet]

Evacuate and recharge and make sure they leave it on the vacuum pump for as long as feasible. Best would be 1-2 hours to boil out any and all moisture in there. I still say you should have done the orifice and accumulator while apart but you will likely be ok. When it has been on the vacuum pump for a while and they pull it down to as close to 30" of vacuum as you can get, you will not get that far depending on the elevation at the shop, have them shut the pump off and make sure the vacuum does not bleed off, indicating a leak in the system. They should know that anyways. They don't have to tie up a bay doing that. Can just hook up and let rig sit outside while they work on other things. That way they can't say that they need to charge for all that time on the pump.

 

[01TX_Tahoe]

Thanks for the tips. I plan on dropping it off in a while. Since I have the front end taken apart I'm gonna mount my light bar behind the grill