2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Patched line, A/C won't take a charge.

[Zombie069]

I've patched my line going into the condensor, and tried to recharge my system, but it will only take about half of the can, and shows 65psi.

Can get it to take anymore and the air is still hot.

Should I be putting it in as gas or turning the can upsidedown and putting it in as liquid?

Also, while it's running and trying to fill, I felt both of the heater core lines, and they both were very hot. Should both of them be hot when it's set to cold on the dash?



Thanks

Brad

 

[Bob4x4]

You need to put a vacuum on the system first. The heater always has full flow,the temp is controlled by a blend air door.



Bob

 

[Zombie069]

Is there a way for me to vacuum the system myself?



Thanks

Brad

 

[Matthug]

You shouldn't ''have'' to put a vacuum on the system. I just put A/C in my truck the other week (didn't come with A/C from factory) and I just hooked the lines up and put in refrigerant and oil. Blows cold. So you don't need a vacuum on the system, the compressor still compresses everything in the system-It's just better to have a vacuum on it first because then more refrigerant can get in and it should blow even colder.

 

[CMorrow]

I strongly disagree with not pulling a vacuum. You can get an air powered vacuum unit from Harbor Freight for about $15. 00. Also grab there AC manifold gauges and you'll be in shape. I just rebuilt my system using there equipment. It's not the greatest quality but it'll get-r-done.

By pulling a vacuum your lowering the pressure and also checking for leaks. The other benefit to pulling a vac is boiling out all the moisture in the system thereby reducing the corrosive effects that the added moisture mixed with the oil and refrigerant do to your system. Don't forget to add some leak detector to the system for future diagnose. By all means never add any leak sealer or O-ring conditioner to the system. ONLY PLAIN 134A!!!!!

Hope this helps, any questions just E-mail me.



PS, here's the links to Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92475

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3952

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92649

 

[E7mack96]

A vacuum is mandatory for a proper charge. The smallest bit of moisture will wreck havoc with pressures, and possible corrosion internally. The evaporator on the ram trucks needs no help in developing a leak.



As for your patch job, did you buy the right replacement line, or just try to patch it with some unions? ... Just curious



E7

 

[Matthug]

You guys didn't get what I was saying. I never said you don't need a vacuum on it to be proper, I said you don't need it to have cool air. He's complaining about the air not being cold, well I didn't put a vacuum on mine and it is pretty cold so my whole point was it doesn't need a vacuum to have cold air. Something else is wrong, thats all I'm saying.

65 PSI is actually overfull, which can actually cause your A/C to be less cold. But in this case I would look more into something like the dial that turns it from hot to cold. A couple days ago my A/C wasn't getting cold, so I checked my refrigerant level but it was OK. Turns out the cable that the dial actuates-the clip broke off the back of it and even though the dial was turning to full cold the cable didn't follow with it and turn the heat off.

 

[Zombie069]

A vacuum is mandatory for a proper charge. The smallest bit of moisture will wreck havoc with pressures, and possible corrosion internally. The evaporator on the ram trucks needs no help in developing a leak.



As for your patch job, did you buy the right replacement line, or just try to patch it with some unions? ... Just curious



E7

I didn't buy a replacement, I used a copper union split lengthwise and a good puddle of JB weld and clamped it all together. Holding fine, just need to get a vacuum on it so I can fill it properly. Local parts house wanted $300 for the manifold and lines, napa online says $140, much better, I will replace it in the future, just patched to get through the heat wave going on here. .



Thanks

Brad