A/C Manifold Gauge Sets

[Wamsutta]

What are you guys using and what do you prefer?

The A/C compressor in my car grenaded at the hottest part of the year.

I'm going to install all the parts myself, but I figure for the cost of hiring a shop to recharge the system, I could get an A/C manifold gauge set and do it myself. All I would need is a set that reads R134A. Also if you have any tips on flushing out the system, I would appreciate that too.

 

[engineer2]

I use whatever is cheap. HF should be fine. Center dash vent temperature tells the tale. Should be in the 40's F. If parts or debris have contaminated the system, more thorough disassembly and flushing is needed. Pull down to 400 microns vacuum or better. A cheap Supco (or Amazon) vacuum gauge is adequate.

 

[Nocturnal]

I recently bought the MasterCool Manifold Gauge Set from Amazon and was happily satisfied.

 

[DGersic]

What are you guys using and what do you prefer?

The A/C compressor in my car grenaded at the hottest part of the year.

I'm going to install all the parts myself, but I figure for the cost of hiring a shop to recharge the system, I could get an A/C manifold gauge set and do it myself. All I would need is a set that reads R134A. Also if you have any tips on flushing out the system, I would appreciate that too.

You need more than gauges. You’ll need at least a vacuum pump and a micron gauge.

You can buy A/C flush at NAPA. You’ll need to replace more than just the compressor. Buy an O ring set at O’Reillys, and a bottle of PAG oil to lube the O rings.

 

[signcrafter]

I recently needed to replace a compressor and recharge the system and my pump and gauges were in a different state. Being that they are probably 15 or so years old I just bought new ones to get the job done. I ordered this kit from amazon and have used it twice now and will be using it again tomorrow and have been happy with it so far. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6Y83BB7?tag=atomicindus08-20.

Rockauto has A/C kits that come with a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, dryer, oring kit, and pag oil for decent price and I've ordered half a dozen or so and haven't had any issues yet. You will need to vacuum the system down once you open it up. As for flush any auto parts stores sell it but it's expensive. I just bought a gallon from autozone for 60 bucks which is a lot cheaper then buying the quart size ones, it doesn't go very far and I usually have used 2 quart jugs in the past which comes out more then the 60 bucks for the gallon. I have this flush gun, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSZ3WPZ9?tag=atomicindus08-20.

 

[Bill Bowman]

I would bet there's going to be a bunch of swarf floating around in your system. Will a flush get it all? Maybe. Maybe not. Best practice is to replace stuff, rather than try to "clean" it out. Some areas inside lines, and parts don't always flush out as planned. Ask Toyota about how that works out.

 

[L.Cheapo]

All of my A/C tools are Yellow Jacket. Not cheap, but high quality and American made.

When I had a question, I called them. The nice lady who answered the phone transferred me to the engineer who designed the tool, who was obviously able to answer my question. That has value to me.

 

[rsanter]

You also need a vac pump

 

[Dakotadadv8]

What are you guys using and what do you prefer?

The A/C compressor in my car grenaded at the hottest part of the year.

I'm going to install all the parts myself, but I figure for the cost of hiring a shop to recharge the system, I could get an A/C manifold gauge set and do it myself. All I would need is a set that reads R134A. Also if you have any tips on flushing out the system, I would appreciate that too.

Did same 2 years ago. Napa AC kit, compressor, dryer, evaporator, pag oil. Already had Robinair vacuum pump, SO gauge, and SO leak detector. DIY 2 vehicles great learning experience check and repair in May before it gets hot. Tool investment was pricey but figured 2 vehicles paid for itself. Learning experience invaluable IMHO.

 

[Wamsutta]

Did same 2 years ago. Napa AC kit, compressor, dryer, evaporator, pag oil. Already had Robinair vacuum pump, SO gauge, and SO leak detector. DIY 2 vehicles great learning experience check and repair in May before it gets hot. Tool investment was pricey but figured 2 vehicles paid for itself. Learning experience invaluable IMHO.

You changed the evaporator instead of the condenser?

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Crazy was leaking. Also condenser. So far so good.

 

[charbar]

Tools you will need at a minimum to do a halfway correct job are:

Gauge set
Vac pump
Flush gun
Scale

If that is something you were unaware of then you might want to do some more research on a/c repair before you tackle this job. Just trying to save you from possibly grenading another compressor or ending up with lackluster results.

 

[Junkman]

You also need a bottle of nitrogen. I have had systems that would hold a vacuum, but not pressure. I only work on R12 systems in old cars, so I am very particular that everything is done the first time correctly. I also only work on my own cars, and a good friend's if I am in the mood to do the work. If it has been converted, I won't work on it, nor will I if someone else has had their hands in it before. When I first got into doing A/C work over 60 years ago, it was quite crude, but we always got the job done. The more that I learned, the more tools I needed. In my opinion, there is no way to do a "halfway correct job" and have it last the test of time. Do it correctly or don't do it at all. No sense in wasting money on parts, tools, and refrigerant unless you know what you are doing or have someone who does teach you.