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ac evac and charge in winter

martinsw on Sun February 03, 2008 9:42 PM User is offline

Year: 1979
Make: chevy
Model: corvette
Engine Size: 350ls1
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Country of Origin: United States

Currently waiting for my vac pump to arrive from recent order, converting old, open R12 to R134a. Flushed evap, condenser, lines with a flush agent - blew out with compressed air - also flushed used serp compressor with ester oil. Put in ~7oz ester oil w/dye, flushed system w/argon, left ~30psi in for long term leak test (holding rock steady after > 24 hours). System currently sitting with argon gas at ~30psi.

My question is - is it a good idea to evac and charge when ambient temps are only ~50 degrees or so? I expect to get my 1.5cfm elec vac pump by next weekend and would like to evac and charge to see if everything holds with engine/compressor running. But not the warmest of times, even in sunny San Diego. Didn't want to run system with only argon gas and oil, but maybe that is ok?

Chick on Sun February 03, 2008 9:56 PM User is offlineView users profile

Don't run it with anything other than the refrigerant...You can charge in 50 degree weather, although it's not the best time to do it unless it was a factory system and you charged by weight.., and a little tricker than 80 degrees, and a Vette...I would vac/charge with 80% of the R12 charge and leave it until the weather is warmer and tweak it then.. Make sure you have good air flow over the condenser and you should vacuum a little longer than you would on an 80 degree day..Hope this helps..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

martinsw on Sun February 03, 2008 11:15 PM User is offline

Thanks Chick, fast response and sounds like good advise. Won't run with argon (didn't think I should), and will evac for extra long time / multiple times / ensure get good vac (29" goal) and 'undercharge" with r134a for now. I expect too low of charge is not harmful (just not as good cooling) on the system.

Hopefully next weekend will also be warmer - just want to get ac all back functional and get on to other work on this old vette (not only is ac converted from r12 to r134a, but engine/tranny were also converted from stock 350 small block w/TH350 auto tranny to 01 vette engine and 6 speed manual tranny). Doing almost all work myself, so figured ac can't be tooo bad (will see how THIS goes). Hope investment in manifold gauges and reasonable vac pump will pay off....I do have 4 other cars that all have ac also.

Chick on Mon February 04, 2008 5:01 AM User is offlineView users profile

Not exactly "Undercharge" at 80% in fact could be just right or slightly over..under...Here's a link to Vac/charge procedure for retrofits when charging at higher ambients.. Corvettes usually come in around 80% of the R12 charge, or lower, remember air flow is important to pressures too..You can either start over in the summer, or tweak it if the pressures are to low..But first warm day, check your pressures...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

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