ok.. fellow 2GNT'ers need some advice/suggestions/guidance, etc:

situation... my AC system in the Talon is sad and I want it to be Happy again!

Backstory:
Years ago when i bought the Talon the ac compressor had been bypassed and as such didn't work.. seized or something (never really investigated)... so i proceeded to replace the compressor with a used one and a new drier and had a shop pull vacuum and recharge... but never seemed to cool all that well and well its starting to get hot again and I want a flipping ice cold car...

My initial solution/plan:

I bought a new compressor, drier, expansion valve and was planning to just replace the compressor and drier... not sure about doing the expansion valve since it may be a chore to get into the dash and may actually not be needed.

So my dilemma:

I have a suspicion that maybe the culprit to this whole ordeal is the condenser and maybe I just need to just replace it... and then got me thinking maybe I should just replace nearly everything including the evaporator...

And as such looking for some thoughts on how I might proceed or if maybe I'm over thinking it or if my initial plan should be sufficient, etc.

TIA

-Jason

97 Talon ESi-T (forever in progress...)


95 GS (Gone)
16.74@83.18mph
119.8 whp - 113.3 lbs/ft


2GNT #677
My Wiki Page: www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=Iamnotwhoiam
Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/iamnotwhoiam/Talon/

I went through the whole work-up on my A/C under similar circumstances. And you know what it was? The valve on the charge port was leaky. Those little o-rings go bad on the high and low ports. So check the cheap stuff first!

2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild...
Daily: Volt
Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO

I wouldn't buy any high dollar or difficult to replace parts without recharging and leak testing. You probably have a minor leak. You can pull sufficient vacuum using a good air compressor and one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-vacuum-pump-with-r134a-and-r12-connectors-96677.html

To introduce refrigerant with dye into the system, you will want a manifold like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/AC-R134A-Manifold-Gauge-Set-60806.html

You are supposed to introduce a certain mass of refrigerant and see certain pressures on the high and low side (shown in the manual). If you let the system run for a while, you can use a blacklight to look for dye to have leaked out. I used those parts several years ago and it actually worked very well. The pressures shown will tell you if your compressor or other parts need replacement. You will also want an infrared thermometer to zap various components in the system. If you don't have a manual, I could look up the pages in the manual and post it.

Corbin
'97 GSX dressed like a '95 ESi