The shop I've used to pull refrigerant, and would later put back in, has closed up. He retired. So, has anyone used a diy system? I have to replace the a/c compressor on our QX60.
The shop I've used to pull refrigerant, and would later put back in, has closed up. He retired. So, has anyone used a diy system? I have to replace the a/c compressor on our QX60.
How often are you going to use gauges, lines, a vacuum pump and a used 30lb refrigerant tank?
Just pay someone to evacuate, change your own compressor, and pay to recharge.
Edit for clarity.
In reply to Docwemple :
O'reillys does free "tool loan" of AC tools
In reply to John Welsh :
I hadn't thought of going to them.
Local shops want $250 to $300. Buying the tools isn't much more
my friendly local OReilly's doesn't rent the recovery system, tho.
I've been tempted to hillbilly one from an air compressor and youtube has a couple of vids about using an old refrigerator compressor to evac a system. Don't need a ton of pressure or volume to deal with one charge worth of R134a at room temp, anyway. It could be plumbed to evac from the car and then evac the reservoir back into the car when the repair is complete. Compressor, receiver/drier, tank, valves, port fitting ... not bad by community standards, right?
For me the problem is time vs. money. Gathering the components at cheap/free rate either takes time or a significant junk pile. And why would you start gathering unless you knew you needed it? And if you know you need it you might be in a hurry because you NEED the a/c. This is not a recipe for a procrastinator's success.
And all to save $25 worth of refrig? No, what you're really saving is the $250-300 a shop would want to use the pro-grade setup. It's an interesting thought. Make a note: add "free refrigerator compressor" to the long range / low priority scavenge list.
New, a recovery tank is 100, lines and gauges 75, pump 150. That's 325. Not high end stuff, but good enough to use every once in a while
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