2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need AC help

[ESwartzer]

I had some front end damage to my truck a while back and it cracked the condenser and vented out all the Freon. So I replaced it and decided that since the compressor was 15 years old and I had to add Freon every year anyway, it would be a good idea to replace that too. With that I bought a new line with the orifice, and also a new drier. So I have a few questions, If my compressor did not crap out and lock up, do I still need to flush the evaporator and the remaining lines that run directly to the compressor? Does the new condenser need to be flushed? With the existing evaporator untouched, how do I figure the right amount of refrigerant oil to put into the system. I did drain the new compressor and found only six ounces of oil in it, but I'm at a loss as to how many ounces the whole system needs and whether to put it all in the compressor, or divide it up between the new compressor, drier and condenser like it says on some sites. Any help will be appreciated. Earl

 

[Cosmo]

Pop your lines apart and see the extent of the contamination - if there's crud in the lines (or evidence of it) all through the system, then you're better off flushing or even replacing everything. You may want to get an assortment of A/C o-rings and replace them all anyway. Do you know where the r134 was going? If you had to recharge it every year, you had a leak. Could have been an o-ring, could be the compressor, could be evaporator, etc. etc.

As far as the oil - you may have a sticker that says how much refrigerant and how much oil. If you're replacing the majority of the big bits, I'd probably put close to the capacity back in it. You can divvy it up amongst the bits, it's going to circulate throughout anyway.

 

[ESwartzer]

I pulled everything apart yesterday and the oil in the compressor was crystal clear with zero contamination. I did what you said and replaced all the O rings and flushed out the lines running to the compressor and again found no contamination, not bad for a 15 year old unit! What I did find though was a jammed HP connector going into the evaporator. It's a good thing I was replacing the line anyway because I had to cut it in half about eight inches from the firewall and even then couldn't even rotate the line at all. I had to file away part of the "bell" that contains the spring lock and get some PB Blaster on it to rotate it and break it free. The problem turned out to be a piece of metal jammed into the connection at the time of assembly which totally scored up the fitting, and was probably where my leak was. Sooo the elephant in the room for me is should I replace the evaporator core since I've changed out everything else in the system. I don't know if they get dirty and blocked like a radiator, or should I let sleeping dogs lay and just get the system recharged. Thanks for your help!

 

[Cosmo]

I'd just let it be. Replace it when/if you need to replace your heater core.