Author Topic: Air Conditioning questions (Read 2885 times)

theman53 · « **on:** December 31, 2008, 11:00:59 am »

I need to have AC. I want it. I don't need it now, but is there a way to get a good compressor, accumulator, evap, etc without paying tons? The only place I have even seen is autohaus and they want tons of money for the parts. I don't need all of them, but while I have the dash out I figured I had better do it now as I never want to have it out again. Ideally I would like to have everything but the lines and compressor done now and add them when I can afford it more.
So my questions are where to get parts and are there any other more common non vw parts that people have done well with, or what is the cheapest way to build my ac system?

zukgod1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2008, 11:22:30 am »

The least expensive option would be a salvage yard, You could get everything you need for pennies compared to new.

Maybe a new compressor and a new dryer for sure and maybe the hoses but aside from that you could get everything you need.

theman53 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2008, 05:57:17 pm »

that is what I was afraid of.

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2009, 10:56:21 pm »

make sure you clean them out real good... any dirt in the system could mean a wrecked compressor. and block the ends of the lines as best as you can. that'll keep dirt, debris and hopefully moisture out.

Rabbit TD · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:40:33 am »

Quote from: "theman53"

that is what I was afraid of.

If you take it all out of a junker which is all hoked up there shouldn't be any dirt in the system and if it still has a little pressure then you know the seals are good but I would get a new drier and change the system to R-34 as it's a whole lot cheaper and you're going to need a vacum pump to test it and get all the air and moisture out of the system. They have a ittle venturi vacum pump at harbor freight for I think around 20 dollars that you use in conjunction with an aircompressor. I got one when I changed my Park Ave over to r-34 a few years ago and it worked fine. If the compressor leaks you can try the stop leak stuff and most of the r-34 you get now has some in it anyhow at Autozone and such. I don't think a rebuilt VW compressor is a fortune though is it. I saw them at Parts Place but I don't remember what they cost though, but just make sure you put oil in the compressor too when you assemble the system and not just the ines. My old rabbit was a wreck when I got it and sat for years but when I tore it all apart it still was holding pressure. l decided I wasn't gonna use air anyway and just cut the hoses and removed everything, I wish I had saved it now :wink:

jtanguay · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:53:23 pm »

Quote from: "Rabbit TD"

Quote from: "theman53"
that is what I was afraid of.

If you take it all out of a junker which is all hoked up there shouldn't be any dirt in the system and if it still has a little pressure then you know the seals are good but I would get a new drier and change the system to R-34 as it's a whole lot cheaper and you're going to need a vacum pump to test it and get all the air and moisture out of the system. They have a ittle venturi vacum pump at harbor freight for I think around 20 dollars that you use in conjunction with an aircompressor. I got one when I changed my Park Ave over to r-34 a few years ago and it worked fine. If the compressor leaks you can try the stop leak stuff and most of the r-34 you get now has some in it anyhow at Autozone and such. I don't think a rebuilt VW compressor is a fortune though is it. I saw them at Parts Place but I don't remember what they cost though, but just make sure you put oil in the compressor too when you assemble the system and not just the ines. My old rabbit was a wreck when I got it and sat for years but when I tore it all apart it still was holding pressure. l decided I wasn't gonna use air anyway and just cut the hoses and removed everything, I wish I had saved it now :wink:

you can actually use the vacuum pump on the motor.... apparently it can create a near perfect vacuum :wink: if anything, the valves will be leaking, so when you replace them with the R-134a type, they should be good to go. i'd recommend going with the hydrocarbon substitute, as it doesn't require a different oil, and all new seals.