[Markass1970]

I just bought a used low pressure a/c line on ebay. Great deal ($25) especially when new run around $100. Anyways, I'm going to attempt to swap this out myself. I have a few questions.

1) Is this a driveway type job? Can I handle doing this myself? I'm no mechanic but I can do your basic replacement part jobs.

2) Can I expect to be able to just recharge my system using an off the shelf recharge canister?

or

Will I have to have this professionally charged because the system will need to be vacuumed?

I ask this because the line seemed to keep a charge for a few hours after I patched the pin hole that was in the low pressure line. The next day I ran the car and it wasn't pushing any a/c. However, it was immediately after I recharged it with EZ CHILL. My dad stated that it may just be a simple replace and recharge being that it kept the charge immediately after the EZ CHILL was put into the line. My conclusion with the patching attempt was that it leaked out again over night. I didn't figure that the patch attempt would be a success but it was a first things first kind of thing.

Now that I am replacing the bad line I need to know what I'm looking at... what I'm I in for? Also, if this needs to be vacuumed and recharged by a mechanic what should I expect to pay?

It's getting hotter and hotter everyday in Florida and windows down isn't working out to good anymore.

Any thoughts, opinions, advice and how-to's are greatly appreciated. Also, will I need any special tools to replace this line?

Thanks for your time in reading this long winded question.
Markass1970
2002 Mustang GT
Mineral Grey

 

[SoCal2V]

I'm not sure what's involved in the replacement of the line itself as far as tools go, but if you're determined enough then I have no doubt you'll figure it out.

But the bad news is yes, you will need to take it to a shop to have the system put under vacuum prior to recharging. Reason why, is because there is moisture in the atmosphere, which while you're making the repair will become introduced into the lines. Moisture + Refrigerant = internal corrosion of the system. Subjecting the system to vacuum is also helpful because what they will (or at least should) do is pull it down until the gauge needle stabilizes, then close the valves on the manifold and shut off the vacuum pump, and then monitor the gauge for approx. 30 minutes to see that the system holds a vacuum and is thus leak free.

 

[Markass1970]

Thank you so much for the info.

 

[racin366]

What SoCal said... You can do the parts change yourself and then take it to have the system evacuated and charged if you want to try and save some, its not a difficult job. If you don't evacuate the system before charging don't expect it to last very long, it might, but probably not. I suggest changing the line dryer as well while you have the system open.