so I can expect about 120 +/- for the Vac and charge. thats not bad. why do they recommend to change the accumulator? What goes wrong with that when the compressor goes bad?

 

I'm doing the same thing tomorrow. Can I have it vacuumed any time before the new freon is put in or do I have to have it vacuumed when the old stuff comes out?

 

The accumulator acts as a moisture trap, and sometimes if the orfice tube doesn't catch the metal shavings that the compressor spits out when it fails they end up in the accumulator as well. I replace an accumulator on higher mileage vehicles if the system is being repaired: compressor job.

thunder550 I would recommend doing the evac, vac and charge the same visit...the system should technically hold the vacuum once its pulled, but I wouldnt want to risk introducing moisture back into the system

 

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

bigbadwolf is the man when it comes to getting the ac going again... He got me fixed up last year after my condenser got punctured.

 

Cool, thanks for the tips

 

also If your compressor failed and sent metal thru the system, you may want to pull the condenser and flush it out along with the lines, and r&r accum. and orphice tube. do not forget to put the right amount of oil back in it and vacuum for about 45 min. if you have no metal in your system just r&r compressor add oil vac, and recharge. some ac delco compressors have a label saying to add oil, because they are shipped dry. If you were in texas I would say swing by and I will do it for half the price of a dealer.

 

done with the swap. I picked up the accumulator and oriface tube for insurance. all told, took about 2 and a half hours. Alot easier than I thought. Now I just have to get it vaccumed and charged.

 

I just wrote this up. Hopefully it helps

 

Also You should alway replace your accumulator, filter dryer, clean your orifice and purge your refrigerant lines if you have a compressor failure. Its rare to have metal but depending on the cause of the compressor failure you might have acid in your lines that will shorten the life of your new equipment big time!!