Thinking about buying an AC recovery machine

[Wrench97]

Yeah thats pretty much what I posted in OP except it was a larger model with self purge. I'm sure it would work but not actually approved equipment for automotive (per EPA).

Yea they want us to fight the front seal leak under vacuum issue(pressure pushes it out to seal) that doesn't exist on sealed units.

 

[cgrutt]

Nope not yet but as luck would have it my compressor blew up on me last week on my F150... should never have mentioned I was thinking about servicing it haha. Pretty sure its just the clutch and I may be able to repair it without evacuating the system. Issue is $$$ at the moment I would love to get the recovery unit but got sidetracked on my boat.

Pretty sure compressor is OK (it was working fine before it stopped last week). Not seized up. Still has refrigerant. I removed clutch and pulley and the clutch was in bad shape. Rubber in-between the outter shell and inner plate was completely blown apart and it was no longer attached. The face was also in rough shape had two pronounced grooves with matching grooves on the pulley. The bearing in pulley was still in tact but felt a little gritty. I was going to just order a clutch and bearing but thought it would be best to replace entire pulley due to the grooves on face. Looked at aftermarket kits but wasn't sure if they were identical and would work with the oem magnetic coil. Also most of the reviews were mixed some good some bad. Anyway just ordered the OEM Motorcraft parts. Should have them on Tuesday.

Oh, is there a tool that holds clutch in place while bolt is being loosened/tightened? Tried oil filter wrench which probably would have worked if compressor was off vehicle but I left it attached and didn't have much room. Wound up using a prybar which worked but clutch was already shot don't want to do that with the new part. There's no holes or anything where a spanner would fit.

 

[Wrench97]

This is the most common one.

But I know there are a couple I've had to use a strap wrench on.

 

[cgrutt]

This is the most common one.

But I know there are a couple I've had to use a strap wrench on.

Yeah I know about that style but there are no holes to put the pins in. Strap wrench may work thanks.

 

[cgrutt]

This is style that is on my truck. I wish I had the flip up fan shroud that would have made access a bit easier. Mine just blew up I didn't have the loud squealing that's on video. I also bought a smaller belt and replaced an idler pulley with a ribbed style and rerouted belt bypassing compressor because I was afraid it might have seized up on me before I had a chance to repair it. My pulley has no friction material left on it as shown on the video glad I ordered a new one. Apparently just use a small impact to get the clutch off I should have tried that but just used a ratchet. Anyway good video if anyone finds themselves in same predicament with 2004-2008 Ford.

 

[Carchie]

expensive to do this for just 3 jobs in your life. By the time you get to the 4th, the refrigerants, fittings and laws will have changed again. It may be less costly to pay a shop you trust to pull the system down, do the repair yourself, and then have them recharge the system in part with the refrigerant they reclaimed. Gone are the days of inexpensive vacuum pumps, inexpensive canisters of refrigerants, etc.. Might look on FB Marketplace for a good working system that was used on the type refrigerant you want to service. Also Vevor has a 3/4 HP unit for $373, 1hp for $477, and new recovery tanks for $76.

Spot on. The cost of DIY recovery gear for just a couple of jobs rarely makes sense anymore, especially with environmental rules changing so fast.

 

[75gmck25]

I'm considering a recovery of the R134a from my '75 GMC pickup so that I can check out the old evaporator for leaks (original; might have a small leak), replace the orifice and accumulator, check hose connections, and then do a complete recharge. I may also make new hoses, in an attempt to improve the routing and make it easier to work on the engine. The A/C is currently working, but has gradually lost some charge over the last couple of years, so its cooling is not very effective.

If I buy a recovery machine and tank, what do you do with the R134a that is recovered? Is there somewhere you take it for disposal, or is the assumption that you could filter it and use it to refill the system?

FYI - I live in Northern Virginia, where its difficult to find a small shop that has experienced mechanics and wants to bother with working on an old A/C system. They have plenty of business from newer vehicles where they can hook up an automated machine and let it do all the work.

 

[cgrutt]

I'm considering a recovery of the R134a from my '75 GMC pickup so that I can check out the old evaporator for leaks (original; might have a small leak), replace the orifice and accumulator, check hose connections, and then do a complete recharge. I may also make new hoses, in an attempt to improve the routing and make it easier to work on the engine. The A/C is currently working, but has gradually lost some charge over the last couple of years, so its cooling is not very effective.

If I buy a recovery machine and tank, what do you do with the R134a that is recovered? Is there somewhere you take it for disposal, or is the assumption that you could filter it and use it to refill the system?

FYI - I live in Northern Virginia, where its difficult to find a small shop that has experienced mechanics and wants to bother with working on an old A/C system. They have plenty of business from newer vehicles where they can hook up an automated machine and let it do all the work.

If recovery unit has filter and dryer believe you can reuse the recovered refrigerant in your system.

 

[Wrench97]

If recovery unit has filter and dryer believe you can reuse the recovered refrigerant in your system.

Yes you recover for reuse. Contaminated refrigerant needs to go to a reclaimer like Agas in a DOT certified bottle, most HVAC supply houses can also take it some will buy it others will charge you to take it.

 

[joel63]

Do the job yourself and know that its done right has always been very high on my list of personal priorities. I enjoy learning new things and having ability to repair stuff for both myself as well as friends and family. And of course there's the tools... not so much having a collection but more being able to handle projects when I need to. Let's just say have a very strong preference for self reliance.

To me, that's what it's all about. Something that I've subscribed to in my time.