Guess what my project for the weekend is....

Has anyone Flushed out their AC system? If so, can you tell me what you used and how you did it? Many thanks

Man i just ordered my compressor from Artic Air and it took only a day to get to me.

 

Read this, just so you're aware of what you really should be doing/replacing to make sure you aren't redoing this job in a month:

http://www.autoacsystems.com/_faqs/d...ompressor.html

 

Funny I read that earlier this morning...thanks for the tip. Yep i'm just trying to cross my "t's" and dot my "i's"

 

Whenever I open an A/C system, I always do the following:

1. Replace Accumulator/Drier
2. Replace orifice tube
3. Flush system with brake cleaner (great solvent and flashes quickly). Once you have the compressor off and all the line open, spray brake cleaner in the lines and blow out with compressed air.
4. After flushing, cover the open lines
5. After reassembly, charge it!

 

Gobbel - how do you fludh out the evaporator? do you also use brake cleaner there?

 

Yes. All system lines are open. Spray and flush. When you open your system you will have 3 or 4 line segments open (i.e. line from compressor to condensor or from orifice tube to accumulator). Flush each line separately and hold a clean rag at the end of the line when you flush. If you had any debris in the line, it will come out (hopefully) on the rag.

Some condensors are hard to flush properly given their small openings. So you can either buy a new one or try to flush the old one.

I replaced a compressor on an old Porsche some years ago, flushed the lines, replaced the drieer and the system ran fine for 5 years (then I totalled it!!!).

 

Is the orifice tube available separate from the line? It was my understanding that it was not, and you had to replace that line, in order to replace the orifice tube??

 

The orifice tube is a small plastic/metal screen torpedo that is inserted in the line between the condensor and the evaportor core. On my '96 1500, (looking at the front of the truck) it is located just to the left of condensor. If your system is still working (even slightly), follow the a/c lines from the condensor until the line goes from warm to cold (it will form condensation at that point). That is where the orifice tube is. If I remember correctly, I had to have special fuel line/ac line disconnect tool (they are cheap, just special).

 

HeyYou, I dont' think it is but the line is only 30-40 bucks. no biggie.

 

The orifice tube is separate and costs $2-$3. Open the line where the hot/cold intersect and voila, there is your orifice tube.