Mini Mod day with brews!

Need some help guys! If you saw recently, I had a problem with my ac/defroster. Turns out I need some new things and I want to install myself because it's already costing a lot. I know there's a lot of knowledge and good to go guys (and ladies) on here that might be willing to help; plus I have a Chiltons . So I talked to the stealership today and they wanted $1300 just for the compressor! Needless to say that's a bit much and I still have to replace the drier and condensor. Found a place in SD that I'll be going to pick up all said parts for about $485 so I can't complain at all. Just going to take out the AC fuse since I won't need it and drive back. I'll be back around Tues with target date for working on the truck being Wed the 29th or Thurs the 30th. If you can help, PLEASE PLEASE let me know! It would be much appreciated and if a certain day works better I can do that too. Could even move it to the weekend if need be. Thanks a lot guys ahead of time and please if you can lend a hand especially if you know all about this stuff cause it'll be my first time messing with it

 

Christmas bump

 

Anyone?

 

Damn Paul, why can't it be strut R&R or something ? j/k

Ok so your a/c comp. died on you & you're out of warranty I assume.

Your going to need some gauges I'm thinking & you'll need to evacuate the entire "reefer" system, not sure about any soldering or if its just a bolt on affair, but I'm thinking there will be some soulder connections with changing the dryer & condensor, there again I haven't looked but I will check back with you shortly......

 

if i was around on these days i'd help. Good luck man. If you decide to do a Sunday.. Do let me know!

 

Dougie, no worries, I can solder. It's the evac that's the problem and I need to figure out which line

If you're willing to help Jeff, anyday that's good for you

 

Dougie, no worries, I can solder. It's the evac that's the problem and I need to figure out which line....


Yeah I still remember how to sweat joints together, I even have a few sticks of 60/40 silver solder, no aceytalene but with piping that small in dia. might get by with MAPP gas, OK you have 2 lines, a liquid line (the small tubing) & a suction line (thats the bigger one, I'm sure theres a couple service connections to pump down & purge (well actually don't "purge" lines anymore 'cause its illegal ) probably need to pump it down & recover (EPA regs.) in 2 spots , ahead & behind the Compressor, so we need an HVAC evacuation pump, some fancy store bought refrigerant, some gauges (which can probably be used off the evac pump) So basically your talking about a compressor change out ., what was the original problem again ??? (bear with me man, my brain expired a few years ago, (so much for shelf life) haha

 

Lol, damnit I need a torch to do some real solder then. Guess I thought wires Sooo....there's no refrigerant in the lines though because of the leak. I need to find out which line it is exactly though. Damn this is sounding like more and more of a headache but the hell with paying someone else to do it. Plus I don't have 2G's to drop on it. The leak caused the compressor to burn out (no refrigerant/lubricant) and Toyota in all it's infinite wisdom put the condenser and drier together too. So replace these main parts, then find out which line it is with some dye, then replace it, and recharge. Simple right? Speaking of Old Man, we need to get you up and running too!

EDIT: So this means I get to buy a torch!

 

Hmmm , a refrigerant leak in the line shouldn't neccessarily cause comp. burnout, compressors usually have oil in the lower end much like a lawn mower engine to lube the piston/rod/crank shaft bearings but this is automotive A/C which of course in theory is pretty much the same as residential/commercial applications but how the related components operate in conjunction could be another animal in some areas , not really sure, but I digress: So we have no refrigerant, so pumping down isn't an issue (we've already blown a hole in the ozone the size of a football field with the leak, I won't tell EPA if you don't ...

I've got a childhood friend that owns his own shop & what he (& alot of others) will do is recharge the system with a colored dye & wait to see where it blows out (the dye leads you right to the offending leak) But this is done only after determining that the components are in relative working order (i.e; everything seems to be working, just not getting conditioned air. That said , are you sure your comp. is dead due to "burnout" ?

Oh yeah, I've got a great torch tip, just need a canister of MAPP gas (about $4 or $5 bucks )

 

Torch, check.

The leak is from God only knows how long ago. Drove back to CO in July 09 and was dying, this is when I discovered my AC didn't work (never run the damn thing, I like the windows down). From that time til now, I've run the defrost a couple time but nothing to extensive (hence the oil was still in there). On this roadtrip for the holidays back to CO, I had the defrost cranked for about 18hrs of our 22hr drive. Can't really say when I noticed the AC light blinking, maybe about the 15/70 change in UT. Unfortunately kept running it the whole way in (5 people will get them windows fogged/didn't know about pulling the ac fuse). Noticed a real bad engine strain upon start up about 2hrs from my house coming down the mountains and checked when I got home. Sure as hall the strain was real bad and burning smell like no other. Very certain it is burnt out, actually need to pull apart this weekend to check for sure before I order the parts. Once I do and get it fixed, I would love to take my truck to your buddy's shop to see where the leak is, get the line then have him recharge it again. You know about how much he charges and if I could work a deal to not have to pay full recharge price twice?

 

EXPRESS AUTO SERVICE In La Mesa, David Bennet owner, yeah I've known this guy since KinderGarten endorse him 200%

He charges about $100 for a standard A/C service