not a problem bud. just didnt want you to spend money on the wrong thing. and yes like said above i would highly recommend replacing the accumaltor due to the system being opened. im a certified hvac mechanic. a couple recommendations i have since your going to pursue doing it yourself. its not a/c work is not hard. same as replacing engine parts. they bolt on and bolt off. when you unbolt the condensor put bags around the lines and tape around the bags till your ready to bolt the new one up. this prevents dirt/debris getting into the lines. and prevents anymore atomophere air to get into the system. and when you take it to get charged. make sure they put a good vacuum on the sytem.

 

I made a mistake with my A/C system once too. As a novice when I replaced my radiator I thought the similar looking item in front of my radiator was a coolant system for my transmission. Until I loosened the nut enough for the seal to break and spray R134a into my face! I just re-attached everything when I was done and had no money to worry about fixing the luxury of A/C at the time.

The next spring I replaced the o-ring and started pricing things out, an R-134a kit was cheap enough, but the tool to put a vacuum on the system was like 4x what my mechanic said he'd charge me. So I made an appointment to only put a vacuum on it and figured I'd charge the R-134a when it quit raining. When they called me to tell me it was ready, he said they went ahead and put the R134a in for me, no charge, cuz they were already there.

I said THANKS, and on my way to the shop I picked up a 12 pack of some good local beer as a "donation".

 

Guys, much appreciated responses and helpful advice so far!! I just did a quick check on prices (Rockauto.com)for a new condensor and accumulator and I'm looking at close to $110! Most likely a lot more once i take it in to get recharged! This much for a 1/4" size hole!! Does anyone suggest maybe just plugging up the hole then getting it recharged instead? Has anyone tried this before? Can it be done? I only ask as finances are tight right now due to #3 on the way and summer is almost over right now but want to be prepared for next summer. Keep up the good advice folks!!

 

I've seen people braze or use jb weld to seal them up. The "repairs don't usually last because of the heat cycles and the different expansion/ contraction rates of the different materials.