Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
I'll play devil's advocate. I left the brick open on my Crown Victoria for something like 11 years. Then one day I grabbed a junkyard compressor, lines, condenser, slapped it on my car, no vacuum, charged with cans, good to go.
This is news, somewhat encouraging.
OK.
You said earlier "all of the ac hoses where (were?) missing".
Was it R12 all its life, or did prev owner swap it to R134a?
Maybe long ago shadetree , back yard was passable. That doesn't work in an R134 or R1234 world.Been a lot of systems Ive replaced lines, pulled no vacuum, blowin cold, and still going for years. When my dad was around, he did the same. They outlasted him.
Would you spend $140 for the HF Pittsburgh 3 CFM 2 stage, pulls down to 22.5 microns - or $208 for the similar Robinair 15300 3 CFM 2 stage, pulls down to 35 microns?If I were in your shoes:
1) Replace the filter drier and condenser.
2) Replace all the o-rings and the valve cores.
3) If any of the hoses have soft spots or abrasion, replace them. Make sure the connecting ends look flat and smooth with no dings.
4) Buy the Harbor Freight two-stage vacuum pump and a not-lowest quality set of gauges.
5) Assemble the system, applying a bit of PAG oil to every seal to lube them before assembly.
6) Put your fresh oil into the high-side hose.
7) Hook up the vacuum pump and pull your vacuum from the low-side hose for a full 24 hours.
8) Close off the vacuum pump and let the system sit for 24 hours. You should lose no more than an inch or two of vacuum in that 24 hours. If you lose more, you have a leak somewhere.
9) Charge the system from the low side. Always keep the cans upright so you don't slug your compressor with liquid. If you can, put the can in a warm (not hot) place as you're charging.
Don't forget the orifice tube...If I were in your shoes:
1) Replace the filter drier and condenser.
2) Replace all the o-rings and the valve cores.
3) If any of the hoses have soft spots or abrasion, replace them. Make sure the connecting ends look flat and smooth with no dings.
4) Buy the Harbor Freight two-stage vacuum pump and a not-lowest quality set of gauges.
5) Assemble the system, applying a bit of PAG oil to every seal to lube them before assembly.
6) Put your fresh oil into the high-side hose.
7) Hook up the vacuum pump and pull your vacuum from the low-side hose for a full 24 hours.
8) Close off the vacuum pump and let the system sit for 24 hours. You should lose no more than an inch or two of vacuum in that 24 hours. If you lose more, you have a leak somewhere.
9) Charge the system from the low side. Always keep the cans upright so you don't slug your compressor with liquid. If you can, put the can in a warm (not hot) place as you're charging.