What did you do with your truck/shop today

[00Silverado4x4]

Well I took some time and got the truck to a repair shop and $136.45 I got my AC properly serviced. They replaced the low pressure/cycling switch, the high pressure service valve, evacuated, pressure checked and reserviced the entire system. On the way back to work it was blowing 60 degree air but it started getting colder as I got to my shop. With luck everything will be on the up and up (or is that down in down?!) with the system. One more repair completed.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Well I took some time and got the truck to a repair shop and $136.45 I got my AC properly serviced. They replaced the low pressure/cycling switch, the high pressure service valve, evacuated, pressure checked and reserviced the entire system. On the way back to work it was blowing 60 degree air but it started getting colder as I got to my shop. With luck everything will be on the up and up (or is that down in down?!) with the system. One more repair completed.

That sounds like a great price for everything that was done.

[00Silverado4x4]

That sounds like a great price for everything that was done.

That's what I thought to. I was dreading taking it anywhere for the fear of the price tag to fix it up. It was a local place that came highly recommended from several coworkers. They took good care of my truck and showed me exactly what was going on as it was being serviced. I knew the switch was a big part of the problem and I was only nursing it along (and probably hurting it too) by running it bypassed. I think I need to invest in the proper tools and some training in AC work.

[LongrangeLauber]

That's what I thought to. I was dreading taking it anywhere for the fear of the price tag to fix it up. It was a local place that came highly recommended from several coworkers. They took good care of my truck and showed me exactly what was going on as it was being serviced. I knew the switch was a big part of the problem and I was only nursing it along (and probably hurting it too) by running it bypassed. I think I need to invest in the proper tools and some training in AC work.

Ain't hard,I've done it a few times myself, even replaced the entire system in my old 02 lol

[Daryl Z71]

Ain't hard,I've done it a few times myself, even replaced the entire system in my old 02 lol

I agree. Replaced the entire system in my 06, and recharged it myself. Definitely easy to do once you research what makes the system work, and how it does it.

[SnakeEyeSS]

I traced a leak with dye, found and replaced the bad oring, ran the system to a vacuum and then recharged my former Corvette. You can rent the vacuum pump from some construction equipment shops, or maybe the one mine came from was a one off thing, black light bulb can be found at wal mart, and the dye and Freon is fairly cheap also(at least then), but the labor is where the shops get you. They may have just know exactly what was wrong from experience and didnt charge you a standard rate, just actual time.

Edited April 27, 2016 by SnakeEyes

[LongrangeLauber]

The shops also have their refrigeration licenses cause if you get caught doing malpractice it's close to a 10k fine. Refrigerant is fairly cheap at wally world, and the leak detection kit is usually there too. A good vacuum pump and a set of gauges is all you need

[Jsdirt]

Yeah DIY is the way to go there. Shops seem to always fly through the process - never vacuum the system down long enough, and just shoot it to specs and send it out the door with no fine tuning or reserve. I like the accumulator to have a little liquid in it when I'm done as a buffer against slow leaks. I also use Nylog on every o-ring. Few shops will even know what the stuff is. Like liquid snot -another hedge against leaks. I use R-12 alot, so leaks with that stuff will cost you big.

 

Had an under-dash unit in my '72 El Camino. Ran Freeze-12 (a blend of 134a with some 152b to keep the oil moving) in that for almost 10 years, until they stopped making it and the price went to the stratosphere. Decided to sell off the rest of my stash of it - made out like a bandit. Charged it up with propane out the grill tank, lol - had 30° vent temps with ambient in the 80's. Thing was ridiculous, lol. Would fog the back window up. Couldn't run it long, because the evaporator would turn into a solid block of ice, and start spraying you with little water droplets as it melted. Love TXV systems. Wish modern cars still used them. Nothing better.

 

 

I restored our Grand Marquis A/C system (R12 & mineral oil) last June. Everything new from nose to cabin. Blows 45° air when it's in the 90's @ 70% humidity.

 

 

Forgot the pic of when it was finished ...

 

Edited April 28, 2016 by Jsdirt

[Daryl Z71]

I bought my vaccum and recharge tools from Harbor Freight. They actually worked great.

[Jsdirt]

Yeah, don't need nothin' fancy if you're not doing A/C work day in, and day out. Doing your own stuff right is all that counts.

[MikeNH]

Doesn't R12 cost a fortune?

[Chris]

Doesn't R12 cost a fortune?

Yes, and at least here, you cant buy it without EPA certs

[MikeNH]

Yes, and at least here, you cant buy it without EPA certs

 

I think that's everywhere. I took my AC certification in 2003 and haven't been in the industry since early 2007 so most of the details are long gone. Haha.

[Jsdirt]

Going for $700- $1000 for a 30 lb'er on eBay. Freeze-12 is $500 - might as well pony up the extra couple hundred for the non-blended, real deal.

 

I've got a nice stockpile of 12 that should last me quite a while.

 

[Chevyguy85]

Sold my 2006 to carmax. Easy and no hassle affair. I miss that noise maker already. Driving my 09 all over the place running errands, bank, dmv, insurance, and now at urgent care. Insurance for the 09 is going up $80 since I lost the multifaceted discount. Time to start shopping for insurance.

Edited April 28, 2016 by Chevyguy85