Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

Cheaper Hecat Flush

befuddled on Mon July 28, 2008 5:41 PM User is offline

Something over $300 for the Hecat Flush system delivered just plain ain't in the cards. But I wonder if there couldn't be a DIY kit. Five gallon plastic buckets are all over the place for zip. The tank looks like a 20 gallon propane tank, albeit smaller. But propane tanks are also all over the place for zip. My local dump always has them by the dozens, and new is about $20 at the big box store. So I wonder, why couldn't just the hose and handle and maybe the tank fitting be made available? Less cost to ship just that also.

Chick on Mon July 28, 2008 6:03 PM User is offlineView users profile

I have the Hecat DIY'er flush kit, and you'll be hard pressed to duplicate it, it's not just the "can"...

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

TRB on Mon July 28, 2008 6:13 PM User is offlineView users profile

Quote
Originally posted by: Chick
I have the Hecat DIY'er flush kit, and you'll be hard pressed to duplicate it, it's not just the "can"...

Amen brother!



-------------------------
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

HECAT on Tue July 29, 2008 10:48 AM User is offline

So what are you saying?

No tank, no bucket, and reduced shipping weight eliminates $30; and now it is worth $270 delivered? Then you will have to source a tank the meets the OSHA safety specifications (salvaged and used will not) and a bucket with a modified & removable lid. Sorry, I have product liability and risk assessment issues to consider, that will not allow me to offer it in such a manner.

Yes the components you speak of are inexpensive and easy to obtain; but you are mistaken in your analysis that they make up or are substantial cost factors in the overall bill of materials.

I understand we are all pinching our pennies, but $300.00 for the effectiveness and performance of professional equipment well exceeding $2000.00 is a deal.

-------------------------



HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

iceman2555 on Tue July 29, 2008 2:22 PM User is offlineView users profile

Hey, guys, why worry with all this flush stuff...why no do as many others do.....!!!
Since one of the best flush chemicals available is, or course, the refrigerant within the system...and the best flush conditions is the operational pressures of an operational system....why not simply install the compressor.....charge the darn system and run the crap out of it...suggest....engine RPM....mmmm...say 2000.....oh..yes...be sure to put a fan in front of the condenser or at least keep the condenser flooded with water to keep pressures down.....run till this compressor fails...install another.....and repeat....oh yes..if one wishes to really do this repair properly...install a couple of inline filters....never hurts to keep all this trash out of the system.
Seems the number of compressors necessary to properly clean a contaminated system, on a average basis, is 3.79965399847565657899928776364656 compressors. But what the heck..the local supplier will, probably supply additional units as part of their 'customer satisfaction' policy.
This would be the 'cheapest' method to flush....all is involved is a bit of labor....gonna get all the replacement parts for 'free'......and, of course, all that refrigerant is being recovered....correct....
Who says there is not a 'good cheap' method to repair an A/C system.
Should have stayed in dental school....would be retired by now.....not worrying about the price of gas....heck..would be one of those with great amounts of cash....doing some serious speculation buying of oil futures.

-------------------------
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

befuddled on Tue July 29, 2008 3:17 PM User is offline



It looked to me that the heart of the flush system was the handle. Pennies to ship that certainly. As for the rest, it looked like bulk that could be had locally. I had no idea what the cost breakdown was.

This seems to be a site dedicated to DIYers. Not pro shops. When there is a one off, there is no justification for the cost of the equipment necessary to do some of this stuff. Most DIY'ers are so strapped that they cannot even afford the cost of a shop for the repair, and we all know just how much we take our chances when we go to a shop. AMA's just aren't on every corner. So you are going to get the questions. You should be able to handle them.

Edited: Wed July 30, 2008 at 11:58 AM by befuddled

HECAT on Tue July 29, 2008 3:20 PM User is offline

Iceman,

WOW!!!

3.8 compressors to clean a system is down from last years average of 4.6 compressors. (LMAO)

You are a sick sick man.

-------------------------



HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 


Edited: Tue July 29, 2008 at 3:21 PM by HECAT

TRB on Tue July 29, 2008 3:35 PM User is offlineView users profile

This site is not for the DIY person or shop! Its here to help those asking how to do the job correctly in our opinion.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

Matt L on Tue July 29, 2008 4:49 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: befuddled
Hey Iceman, why don't you stop being a smart ass. It was a civil and legitimate question.



It looked to me that the heart of the flush system was the handle. Pennies to ship that certainly. As for the rest, it looked like bulk that could be had locally. I had no idea what the cost breakdown was.



This seems to be a site dedicated to DIYers. Not pro shops. When there is a one off, there is no justification for the cost of the equipment necessary to do some of this stuff. Most DIY'ers are so strapped that they cannot even afford the cost of a shop for the repair, and we all know just how much we take our chances when we go to a shop. AMA's just aren't on every corner. So you are going to get the questions. You should be able to handle them.

The heart of the flush system is the piece that screws onto the steel fluid reservoir tank. That's where the "mixing" of the fluid and compressed air takes place. The handle itself is a simple valve. A nice one, but still not the active piece that you need. Certainly, $255 (or whatever I did pay) is going to be more money than the value of the raw materials. That's where HECAT is adding value, and a good value it is. It's a very nice flush gun for the money.

As for DIYers and flush guns, I bought one because it would have cost me more money to have the system professionally flushed. There's enough pieces of the car that must be removed and replaced on mine that it would have added about two hours of labor to access the TXV. Once you add in a new vacuum pump, PAG oil and flush fluid, it would have probably cost less to take it to a shop, but then I would not have been so sure of the level of detail attained. And the next time, the tools will still be just as good as they are today.

iceman2555 on Tue July 29, 2008 7:07 PM User is offlineView users profile

Gotta admit HECAT.....thanks to all those 'off shore' units....quality is definitely headed somewhere.....



-------------------------
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

Chick on Tue July 29, 2008 7:18 PM User is offlineView users profile

No, the real heart of the hecat flush system is the "pulsating" action it produces..I was really amazed at how well it worked, and I've been doing this grind for the last 48+ years.. The only thing from the "Hecat" family that impressed me more was the coolant system flush gun..You can make anything LOOK like it, but really, you just can't duplicate it...I guess it has to be seen to be appreciated..But to the original poster, do what will, but do something to flush..That is the RIGHT thing to do..

-------------------------
Chick
Email: Chick

---------------------------------------------

Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

befuddled on Tue July 29, 2008 9:33 PM User is offline

Thank you Matt and Chick. Certainly I want to flush, and I want to do it in the best possible way, which appears to be the Hecat way. But three hundred dollar bills do not grow on trees, and at first blush, it looked like there might be an opportunity for some economy. Which is why I asked the question.

HECAT on Wed July 30, 2008 9:48 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: befuddled
When there is a one off, there is no justification for the cost of the equipment necessary to do some of this stuff. Most DIY'ers are so strapped that they cannot even afford the cost of a shop for the repair, and we all know just how much we take our chances when we go to a shop. AMA's just aren't on every corner. So you are going to get the questions. You should be able to handle them.

Without completely understanding the details and nuances of the Pulsator Flush Gun, your questions are not out of line and we can handle them all.

Thanks to Matt and Chick for adding your comments regarding your purchase and satisfaction with this tool. I am sure such first hand accounts carry more weight with prudent skeptical buyers, than my (manufacturer) or TRB's (distributor) comments.

Yes, you can save a lot of money doing DIY work. But not all service work can be performed by the DIY without an investment in tools and education. Shops are required by law to make a huge investment in EPA certified equipment as well as the many other overhead costs that weigh into what they charge for A/C repair. They are not all out to "get you".

If you feel it is risky or you are taking a chance with a shop, your are at the wrong shop. I have done my own DIY work for over 25 years now; and have established a relationship and trust with a local shop for those things I cannot do, don't have the tools to do, or just do not wish to tackle. They understand this and know they only get my "PIA" work





-------------------------


HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.