A/C vaccum recharge price?

dodgeneonzl · Post by **dodgeneonzl** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:51 pm

Ok, so i opened up my a/c line doing a motor swap not knowing i shouldn't have moisture in it... so i went to the dealer, and they told me that to just vaccum the lines up and add refrigerant they will charge 120... does that sound right? I thought someone told me it should be around 80 bucks instead? THakns... i don't want to get ripped off....

moparman00 · Post by **moparman00** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:07 pm

not sure on the vaccuming part, but for recharging the system, you could do it yourself.....there are instructions in haynes manuals on how to do it, and it isn't that hard....just get a can or two of refrigerant (auto parts store) and follow the instructions......there may also be instructions in the FSM.....and I'm sure someone could post them up........

otherwise, for a price comparison, check a local radiator shop...

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:12 pm

moparman00 wrote:not sure on the vaccuming part, but for recharging the system, you could do it yourself.....there are instructions in haynes manuals on how to do it, and it isn't that hard....just get a can or two of refrigerant (auto parts store) and follow the instructions......there may also be instructions in the FSM.....and I'm sure someone could post them up........

otherwise, for a price comparison, check a local radiator shop...

The problem is, when you completely refill your unit with the recharge kit, there's two parts mixed in each can of stuff. Well you're only supposed to have one can's worth of the one stuff, and the rest is just refrigerant. If you just start refilling your system with recharge cans, it won't work right, and you'll have an improper mixture.

At least that's how it was explained to me.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:28 pm

Since you opened the system the best thing to do is to take it to a shop and have then draw a vacuum on the system, test for leaks and then refil with the proper amount of refridgerant.

And yes, this could cost upwards of $150-$200.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:03 pm

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote: The problem is, when you completely refill your unit with the recharge kit, there's two parts mixed in each can of stuff. Well you're only supposed to have one can's worth of the one stuff, and the rest is just refrigerant. If you just start refilling your system with recharge cans, it won't work right, and you'll have an improper mixture.

At least that's how it was explained to me.

It is R134A and Synthetic oil. The problem is that you get too much oil. $120 isn't bad, considering how things are priced these days. the vacuum part is to evaporate all the water out. Under a full vacuum, water will boil at 60ºF. Kinda like blood when deep sea divers come to the surface too fast. Or much worse, astronauts with a torn space suit.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:35 am

occasional demons wrote:Or much worse, astronauts with a torn space suit.

Brilliant imagery.

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:37 am

Sounds about right for an evac, leak test, and re-charge aka proper job.

dodgeneonzl · Post by **dodgeneonzl** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:26 am

Ok, sounds good... thanks guys... i'll talk to them again to make sure that they do all that is listed first.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:37 am

Depends on where you go really, I've seen some places charge outrageous prices for a/c work.

I usually go to my local meineke when they're real busy. They tell me they can do it tomorrow, and I say only if you give me a discount, works every time.

If you were just adding refrigerant because it's low and not cold, then doing it yourself is fine. I would have a shop do it if the system has been purged completely. It's expensive to fix a/c components, so spending the extra cash right now is much safer.