Replaced Jeep A/C hose assembly; need evac advice

[HawkeyeScott]

Working on my '01 Cherokee. Had a leaky A/C hose assembly for several years. Considering selling it, and don't want to pass that issue on to the next guy. I took the assembly off for about four hours last week and took it to hose shop. They'd said on the phone they could likely fix the leak at the crimp. I got it there and they said they could not. I took it home and put it back on. But again, the system was open four about four hours.

So, I ordered a replacement from RockAuto. Got it and swapped out the old one for the new one over the weekend. Now, I'm needing advice on what's next.

I understand that since the system was opened up at all, I need to have it evac-ed. Local shop will do that for $20. Cool. But then what? Does the evac pull out compressor oil? Do I need o add compressor oil anyway, since the system was open? Do I add oil and then do the evac?

A/C is not something I want to mess around with, but at the same time, I'd like to do as much of the oil adding and freon rechargining myself, in hopes of saving some money.

Thanks for any advice you might have. I appreciate it.

Scott

 

[djb]

If you opened up the system, you'll need to replace the receiver/drier and pull a vacuum for at least an hour.

The receiver/drier contains desiccant and a filter. It's sometimes possible to bake the moisture out, but you can't clean the filter.

A rule of thumb is that replacing the drier requires about two ounces of make-up oil, and a hose between 0.5 and 1 ounce. It's not a very good estimate, but the oil quantity doesn't need to be exact.

Many auto parts stores now have vacuum pumps and gauge sets as part of their tool loaner program. You'll likely need to buy your own can tap hose.

 

[Roadkingnc]

A modern a/c machine will pull enough vacuum to boil the moisture out of the system. I left a 2013 Taurus open tonight, ill install the new condenser tomorrow evacuate and recharge it and bot worry about it.Your jeep will be fine

 

[JHZR2]

since the system was opened, replace the R/D or accumulator, add the correct type and amount of oil, and then pull a vacuum. It will remove any residual moisture. Pull 500 microns or a deeper vacuum if possible, for 30-60 minutes minimum. Then using the gauges, burp any air out of the feeder line adn install refrigerant. I really prefer by mass, but it isnt that easy all the time to do so. There are tables to identify roughly correct working pressures.

 

[crazyoildude]

there is a rite way and a wrong way i have seen a guy fill the system and as he filled it let it out the other end then just refilled it w/oil and freon and it worked.. i would not do that i would evac it.

 

[bvance554]

If I were selling it, as you said you were...I would evac and refill it with oil and refrigerant. I guess if you're an hvac guy then the proper way would be to replace the receiver/drier, but that sounds a bit anal. I've evac'ed and refilled with no issues at all for up to two years when I got rid of the car. I guess my point is if you're going to keep it replace the drier, if not, just refill it. The new owner will most likely have no problems either.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Thanks for the responses thus far.

 

[Fleetmon]

I replaced the compressor (junk yard compressor) on our seldom-used Cherokee due to a leak.....did not replace the dessicant but vacummed the system for a little over and hour and re-charged....works great!

 

[sleddriver]

What everyone else said,

BUT

after you've pulled a vacuum for an hour or so, turn off the pump and be sure the system will hold a vacuum BEFORE you add refrigerant. Otherwise, you get to do it all over again.