Replacing Evaporator and accumulator (some basic ?'s)

[RossL]

I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The AC needed to be charged every three weeks. I could smell the freon inside the car whenever I first turn on the system. I took the jeep to a local Midas shop and they wanted to replace the evap, compressor, and condenser. All for about $2,300.

I decided to do the job myself and removed the dash and ordered the Evap and Accumulator.

1) Do I need to add oil to the system?
2) Where do I put the oil and how much?
3) Should I also replace the compressor and condenser now? (the system seemed to cool fine after a charge of R-134, I did not use stop leak)

[Cornbinder89]

With a leak that large, oil will be carried out of the system with the refrigerant, so at very least, you'll need to add some. It is possible that damage from lack of oil has already occurred, but we can address that later. Kudo's for attacking the job yourself, that takes guts on some of these cars, it seams like the 1st part that the build the car around is the evaporator/heater!
I would drain the oil from the compressor into a flask or beaker to see how much was missing. Then replace with fresh oil. You should add what is on the AC sticker, or wait for someone who has the spec's for viscosity and amount. Oil should go into the compressor. Some compressors have a drain plug, others do not. For ones that don't hold the compressor so the ports are facing down and rotate the clutch (not the pulley to drain it. If there is no sump plug, slowly add to the suction port while turning the clutch. If you try and add too fast it will "burb" it out. Once all the oil is in, with the compressor in the operating position, rotate the clutch several more times to make sure the oil hasn't filled the cyl of the compressor.
Were you able to verify that the leak was from the evaporator? often a leak that big will leave a oil stain showing where it is leaking from.
It is possible that the compressor is damaged, It is a crapshoot if you want to chance re useing it or not. A lot depends on if you have the equipment to vacuum, charge and draw the refrigerant back out if the compressor shows signs of problems. If you have to pay a shop to do all this, it is likely cheaper to replace the compressor, and it will often come with the correct oil charge in it. A compressor that has been damaged by lack of oil will be noisy, and will likely fail in short order.

[Tom Greenleaf]

I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler;

I decided to do the job myself and removed the dash and ordered the Evap and Accumulator.

1) Do I need to add oil to the system?
2) Where do I put the oil and how much?
3) Should I also replace the compressor and condenser now? (the system seemed to cool fine after a charge of R-134, I did not use stop leak)

Your quote pirce, $2,300 was good actually! Yes do the compressor it had to run dry of oil while leaking out. Evaporators for ages were a problem - find oil dripping out vent tube now even on this probably.

Do the condenser and now system with what you already planned is essentially empty of everything.

Check yourself, chart shows this hold 20 ounces of 134a and 6 ounces of PAG (oil) #46. I'd use all that. Drain parts if you wish, drill hole in accumulator heat it up to get the most out. You are starting almost new otherwise you count/measure what you take out but it's been leaking so not close for a clue. Capacities -- double check on those. Charts and info can be off.

Condenser will not flush nor drain out well so new is really the choice.

Where for oil: Spin new compressor with oil on bench many times in low side with oil. That step you can't forget.

Blow out hoses with copious air power put oil upstream from compressor mostly but don't choke it.

You said "accumulator" means do the "O" tube as well it's close to clogged up or X valve and drier if that type - didn't look it up get terms correct or you'll get wrong parts.

You are essentially redoing whole system so pay total attention. It's too easy to cheap out of on one thing or step and blow the whole job to waste.

Seriously - I'll post directly charging procedures if you don't find it here yet it's archived or repost it again. Please remember to do this right or you'll just start all over again,

[Tom Greenleaf]

OK - Just added charging procedure from archives at old site is here now easy and a thread that I'll lock when I figure that out!

Same place as your are at now just click here......... > https://forum.aircondition.com/forum...ve-a-c-systems