a/c question's

[86ranger4x4owner]

I have a 1988 2.9l ranger and am going to buy a a/c condenser the orignal has been taken out.But my question is what else would i have to do to get it to work?I have two hoses that both have one silver looking thing at the ends of the hoses can i just open them up and put them in the condenser or do i need to buy new ones if so what are they called?and after that would't i just have to get it charged?and can i do that myself?it has everything else on the truck.thanks

 

[DFWBII]

I have a 1988 2.9l ranger and am going to buy a a/c condenser the orignal has been taken out.But my question is what else would i have to do to get it to work?I have two hoses that both have one silver looking thing at the ends of the hoses can i just open them up and put them in the condenser or do i need to buy new ones if so what are they called?and after that would't i just have to get it charged?and can i do that myself?it has everything else on the truck.thanks

Welcome,,yes you can do most of the work yourself but will have to have a a/c tech. to flush out the different hoses and components, replace the missing components(hoses, fittings etc.)maybe install a new accumulator(tank by the evap. on firewall) evacuate the system with a vacumm pump, maybe put in new oil for compressor, make sure there's no leaks then hook up the freon(R12) cans to the gages if your staying with original gas. you can convert it to R134 but there's several opinions on this too both pro and con. but it can be done. I used Freeze12 gas in my rig,, works good. Auto Zone, Oriellys has these kits. theres a tech article on this in the Tech Library at top of this page. good luck, stay cool.

 

[exbass94]

I don't know what silver looking things you're talking about, but I would take the compressor out, drain the oil in it, and add fresh oil. I would flush out the lines and evaporator, install the condenser, replace the orifice tube and accumulator (add some oil to the accumulator too), then vacuum the system down and check for leaks, then recharge.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

I don't know what silver looking things you're talking about, but I would take the compressor out, drain the oil in it, and add fresh oil. I would flush out the lines and evaporator, install the condenser, replace the orifice tube and accumulator (add some oil to the accumulator too), then vacuum the system down and check for leaks, then recharge.

I have everything except for the a/c condenser.when i bought the truck it had everything except the condenser and so am going to buy a condenser and the condenser has two hoses that hook up to it and at the end of the hoses that have a connector type thing that is shiny like steel or something its clamp off.But would it be easier to just buy a condenser and take the truck to my local mechanic and let him do everything?

 

[CraigK]

DFWBII

Where the heck can you buy cans of R-12?
(Neither Oriellys nor AutoZone show products for searches on "Freeze12".)
I still have a '92 DA that still runs R-12, and will eventually need a recharge.
Thnx.

CraigK

 

[exbass94]

DFWBII

Where the heck can you buy cans of R-12?
(Neither Oriellys nor AutoZone show products for searches on "Freeze12".)
I still have a '92 DA that still runs R-12, and will eventually need a recharge.
Thnx.

CraigK

The EPA has banned all production of R12 in the US, and they prohibit anyone from importing it from other countries. It's been that way since around 1996. So, the only R12 left in this country is stuff people already bought/had in stock before it was banned. Call your local AC shops, they might still have some. Look on eBay, there are lots of people selling their old R12 stock. I think you have to prove you have your 609 license to buy it though.

I would rather just convert the system to R134a though (I'm in the process of converting my 92 Accord right now). If you do the conversion yourself, it would probably cost about the same as a single R12 recharge.

 

[exbass94]

But would it be easier to just buy a condenser and take the truck to my local mechanic and let him do everything?

If you feel comfortable doing everything I listed yourself, you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. I would at least install the condenser yourself and maybe have a mechanic flush everything else out and recharge. That would save you from paying a few hours labor.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

I have got everything on the truck all i need is a a/c condenser.And there are two hoses coming out of the thing that has a belt on it one hose is going behine the throttle body the other hose is going to the condenser and the rubber hose has a metal thing with a type of hook up thing that goes to the condenser i need one of them metal things anyone know what they are called?And how does the hoses hook to the condenser and where do u charge it at in the hoses?

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

And what kind of stuff do i need to put back in it?do they still make orignal stuff or what do they make these days to put in them?

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

i need to buy a whole new high pressure hose where can i get one of those and what all do you have to do to convert to r134a?Just clean and replace some of the system parts?

 

[exbass94]

i need to buy a whole new high pressure hose where can i get one of those and what all do you have to do to convert to r134a?Just clean and replace some of the system parts?

Any auto parts store should be able to get a new hose. To convert to R134a, just do everything I said in my first post. The only extra thing you need to do is screw on adaptor fittings on the service ports. Use Ester oil, the mineral oil used in R12 systems is not compatible with R134a.

 

[86ranger4x4owner]

Any auto parts store should be able to get a new hose. To convert to R134a, just do everything I said in my first post. The only extra thing you need to do is screw on adaptor fittings on the service ports. Use Ester oil, the mineral oil used in R12 systems is not compatible with R134a.

what oil? the oil in the compressor and accumenlator?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

You can use air to flush out the old oil but you risk getting water in the system but you need the system to be flushed out I am not sure on cars but for residential ac there is a flusk kit to chemically clean it out then blow it dry with compressed nitrogen. The expansion device or piston is different it flashes the refrigerant from a high pressure liquid to a low pressure vapor the large line coming back to the compressor turns the low pressure vapor into a high pressure vapor and that condenses to a high pressure liquid that goes to the piston and flashes to a low pressure vapor and in the cab the low pressure vapor absorbs the heat from the cab going thru the coil or superheats the refrigerant the compressor turns it into a high pressure vapor and in the condenser as the heat gets pulled out of the refrigerant it condenses back into a high pressure liquid or subcools the refrigerant and it goes around and around. Your not adding cool you are removing the heat. Cold is the absence of heat. heat allways moves from hot to cold. I am gussing here but it sounds like you need the expansion device and the compressor to upgrade it properly and make sure the coils and accumulator are good and clean put it all together add the oil and pressure test it with a small amount of refrigerant after you vac it down to remove all the moisture. if it holds pressure for 45 minutes (soap test and pressure guage) then estimate the amount you will need by weight. you probably wont be able to add it all but once you get enough in it to close the low pressure switch. you can top it off while running on the low pressure side the large hose. and the system will pull the rest of the refrigerant in. I am not sure where you can get a vacuum pump but you need to pull it into a deep vac for around 45 mins to remove all the moisture and non condensable gasses or it will contaminate the charge.