Actually it appears to be holding pressure. I'll see what the gauges say when I get home. I'd rather not open the system up unless I have to. I'd rather just discharge the freon, pull a vacuum, and then recharge it. If I do have to pull it apart I'll replace the condenser and the drier and pull the evap to see what shape it's in. I'm sure it needs cleaning. Did you know the FSM says not to use water on the evap!? It says to clean it with compressed air. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Maybe that'll make more sense when I get it apart.

I picked up the vacuum pump today just in case. The damn hoses I borrowed were pissing me off last night. The high side quick connect wouldn't seat and sprayed about 1tps of compressor oil out before I could force it to seat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> I guess I can't complain too much. Atleast I have a set to borrow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Update:

I discharged the system last night and then pulled a vacuum for about 30 minutes. System holds just fine without any apparent leaks. The problem is I tried to skimp and not replace the drier. Well, after recharging the system I still have air in the site glass. Pressures were 28/235.

My question is can I reclaim this freon and reuse it even though it's been exposed to moisture? Or should I get a new can w/ compressor oil since I lost some the last time on the high side?

I have to say, even with the air/moisture in the system it's still putting out 50? air.

I have bubbles in my sight glass most of the time and mine cools down to 38deg while driving. Not sure, but with 134A this might be somewhat normal. If you pull a vacuum and leave it for a few hours and then pull it again, that will remove moisture from the system. My pressures run about 30/280......If you have a big fan, run it across the radiator while charging the system to cool the condensor..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I'm thinking that once the reciever/drier is exposed to moisture that it never gets rid of it. So even if you pull a vacuum the reciever/drier is still holding the moisture. That's why the FSM says to replace it if you have moisture in the system. But that's just my speculations.

Water in a high vacuum will actually boil at room temperature. When it does, the vacuum will be less. If you keep pulling a vacuum the moisture will be removed from the system. Not all, but it does remove a lot if it's left under a good vacuum (29.7 in./Hg or more) for a fairly long time (several hours).

I just talked to our A/C mechanic and he comfirmed what I thought. They replace the driers any time they open the system or air/moisture is found in the system. So I'm off to order that damn drier and redo it again. I tried to skimp but got burnt.

Well I installed the drier and pulled a vacuum on it for about 1-1/2 hrs and then charged it. After my pressure failed to rise in the system I realized I put the drier in backwards. I wasn't paying attention and thought the flow was the other way.

So after I discharged it (again), swapped the drier, and then recharged it, I pulled another vacuum on it for about an hr. Then I let it sit for about 30 minutes to see if it would hold vacuum. No leaks. Pressures held. After I recharged the system I STILL have air/moisture in the system. Site glass confirms this as well as the pressures (25/250). The high side is too high and cooling is mediocre at best.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Bubbles in the site glass does not mean moisture <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If you pulled a vacuum for 30min plus, you removed all moisture from system. The longer the better IMO.

Some bubbles are normal esp w/134a. NO bubbles could mean no gas. Even w/a perfectly operating system on R12 I had a few bubbles. Bottom line, I don't use bubbles as an eval tool. Old school, I think they filled system till most bubbles were gone - but measuring in the proper amount of gas is a WAY better method.

Too high on the high side may be:
-poor airflow over condensor (use a BIG fan or mist from hose) Feel condensor or measure w/therm. If its WAY hot or not significantly cooler on output side, you need MORE AIR
-too much gas (will also ALWAYS result in poor cooling, to little gas can actually cause evap to FREEZE)
-blockage in system (did you FLUSH everything? what came out?) DO NOT PUT FLUSH IN COMPRESSOR
-too much oil in system
-did you change expansion valve to a 134a unit? (I dunno how much diff that makes)

How did you measure oil in system? I think the only way to know EXACTLY how much is there is to flush all lines plus condensor and evap and remove compressor and dump out oil. Then you can measure oil you put it in per specs.

I know yer ALWAYS supposed to replace drier after you open system up. But I ain't no A/C guy so I don't follow their "rules" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />. The 'drier' is basically a filter and it uses oil and screens to form a kinda 'one-way-valve' that traps moisture and prevents it from circulating thru system. Bottom line, if you pull a vacuum long enough, ALL moisture in system will be evaporated. Unless you suspect there is DEBRIS in system which could clog up the filter, you prolly don't have to change the drier again just to open system up again.

While on driers, you may have messed that one up by putting it in backwards - but I'm not sure. I did that once too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Good luck bro! I did work for a guy once who did alot of A/C work, but I learned most of what I (don't) know f-ing w/my Toyotas. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Well I can tell you the condenser is not in that great of shape. But until I can get one it'll have to do for now. The pressures drop quite a bit if I pour some water over the condenser. I haven't tried it since I installed the new drier so I'll see what the pressures look like tonight. Should I try to set the freon level by pouring water over the condenser or by letting it run free standing? If I have the right amount of freon in the system then it has to be on the evaporator or condenser side and possibly both. You figure 20 years of dirt and debri on both coils is going to have a negative effect.

I didn't flush the system.

The conversion was already done when I got the truck so I don't know if the expansion valve was changed or not.

The FSM only shows (1) way to measure the oil and that's by removing the compressor. I didn't want to go that far to be honest. I can say that I lost about a tsp full of oil when I was first trying to get the high side quick connect on. But I don't think it was enough to hurt anything unless it was low to begin with. I believe the FSM calls for 2.0 - 3.0 oz's.

I know a lot but this is not my area of expertise. I appreciate having someone to bounce thoughts off of and get input from. It helps a lot. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

When you say condensor is 'not in great shape' do ya mean its got stuff wedged between the fins or fins are bent or ya think somethin's wrong inside? If its clean on the outside and A/C works better w/water on it you prolly need a fan clutch. The condensor MUST have adequate airflow to work right. ESPECIALLY w/134a. You are already asking it (cndnsr) to do more than it was designed for when you switch gas.

Same philosophy applies to evaporater. If the outside is clean, ie not full of leaves and dirt, it should exchange temp adequately.

Again, if pressures are high, AND you have measured the right amount of gas (be sure to compensate for 134a, it requires like 3/4lb of 134a for 1 lb R12), you are prolly looking for poor airflow over condensor and/or blockage in the system (flush it next time you open it - FOR GODS SAKE MAN <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />, its cheap and easy).

Also, yank the evap out and look at it next time you open the system (it looks harder than it is). If you don't have strong airflow out of the vents, your evap housing is prolly full of leaves and crap.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />