******Part 1 link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVA5LPS34MA *****
****EDIT January 2016*****
For some reason, air conditioning videos bring idiots out of the woodwork. For that reason, all of my household, and automotive A/C videos now require my approval before any comments will be displayed. I am sorry for this, and I know it slows down the discussion. It has become necessary to keep the troll attacks to a minimum. I hope you understand.
*****End Edit*****
This is a series of two videos where I go through a full A/C system rebuild. The car is a 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera FE3 Coupe. The car was bought recently and the A/C was not working.
I found multiple problems all caused by incompetent prior service work.
The system is flushed, new parts installed, refrigerant oil and HFC152A refrigerant installed.
Theory of refrigerant charge amounts and formulas for calculating them are shown.
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Thanks! This is the best AC video on YouTube. I bought a new compressor (Sanden, 1993 Volvo 240) which came with oil in it. Should I empty the oil from the compressor and put it in the accumulator?
politically motivated comment 😉
David, I repaired the AC in my 85 Regal T-Type thanks to these videos and some spray duster. The car hadn't blown cold air in over decade. Thank you!
Great series David, a lot of valuable information here. Thanks as always for sharing your knowledge!
Nice Olds too! Looks to be in excellent condition!
Thanks for all of these video uploads! I have an '88 Lesabre and the airflow from the vents is weak. I took the blower motor off and used my phone to record a video of the inside and I noticed that my evaporator core is caked with debris/old dirt/mold.
Is a product like Klima Air Conditioner cleaner safe to use to break down that debris and get my vent airflow back? It says that it is a foam and that there is no rinse necessary.
Thank you!
Very impressive. Your diagnostic abilities are matched by your skill at repairing.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your presentation. Caring Professional doesn't fully describe your work! And, I agree with your comments on politics. I live in San Francisco, CA and am an expert on bullshit politics. Especially when it comes to things like automobiles and air conditioning. Keep up the outstanding work.
Nicely done & very good information. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for these informative videos. I will be working on my '91 Ciera soon, and your videos are a great guide. I've watched them several times.
I've been looking in to 152a as a cheaper alternative to R134a. My biggest hesitation with trying it is the fact they put that anti huffing stuff in it so people wont try to get high on it. (Why they would be stupid enough to inhale that stuff in the first place is beyond me, but anyways)… What my concern is, that bitterant stuff they add, my guess is an alkaline of some kind, and how it would affect o-rings, seals and stuff in the system and whether it would eat through them over time? What are your thoughts on the effect of the anti huffing stuff they put in the canned air dusters and how it would affect orings and seals, especially on a newer vehicle?
you do great work, ive learned a ton already. you make me feel comfortable trying this type of work. i have a 1985 pontiac parisienne that i just got, just got it running too. all original, clean car. the a/c would be icing on the cake
Hey David. I have a problem. My ac in my truck is done. I took it to get it diagnose and they pulled out the orifice and its full of black metal flaking. I have a 2007 Ford F-150. how can I fix it. I know I gotta get a new compressor and a condenser. What can I do to fix it
Thanks for your videos on this subject. I'm currently reading and watching before I tackle the A/C on my 1990 Mustang. It currently blows COOL not COLD.
Did you need to adjust the low pressure switch when you replaced the old one?
Second question, you had several cans of brake clean but I don't recall seeing you use them. Did you change your mind and use the ZEP cleaner instead?
Thanks again, Don
Hey Dave, thanks for these videos, and for your research. I'm researching parts required to repair my neighbor's 2002 Olds Silhouette A/C, and use 152a refrigerant for the charge. His van has had no A/C for several years, so we are gonna replace the compressor, condensor, receiver/dryer and expansion valve for certain, inspect and flush the lines and evaporator, replace those if they don't look good, replace any seals we can get at, vacuum the system, and put a charge on it. Is that a reasonable plan of attack, in your opinion? If I should be thinking of more than that, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts. You think there's any hope for the condensor or compressor still being functional?
Dave excellent videos you put out. I have learned a ton from you videos thx.
Wonderful video by the way! I am usually in stop and go traffic. Will changing my ac pulley ratio help or hurt the system.
Hello Dave…I watched both of your videos in this series and you did a very nice job of explaining the A/C system and how to repair it. I'm with you on the person who dumped that much oil in the system. What a shame and killed a good compressor! And you're right that to really do a thorough job on a system, it takes a lot of time. Take care Dave and have a good evening…
Would happen to have the formula R-134A to HFC-152A
Hello! I am really wanting to dive in and rebuild my AC system in my 1987 Mera, but it is really intimidating. I mean, I am a regular everyday mortal, not a professional mechanic. Don't get me wrong, I love working on my cars and can do plenty, but work on the AC! everyone knows you MUST take that mess in!! So your video is the first , well only that really puts the facts down! The Mega is 29 years old and had needs an AC job top to bottom and only now do I feel confident I can do it. I do not like taking any of my vehicles to some else , I enjoy doing it and I know it gets done correctly. I am now excited to do this now, not scared or in the dark!! Thanks so much for helping me get my Classic cooled down!
Thank you very much! I have an older car and the a/c blows cool, not cold. I may try this. Do you know a safe way to evacuate the a/c system myself or do I need to take it to a shop to have it done. Thanks again. I loved the videos.
Great video. Sadly my truck is a 98 and has the manifold style condenser and evaporator, so I have decided to change out everything for new except the evaporator (not in the mood to tear my dash out just yet). Your video answered many of the questions I had and several I didn't have. Thanks a bunch!
I have watched numerous videos over quite a many years and I have finally found one that a home mechanic like myself can do without all the fancy tools. Absolutely the best. Thank you much David
@3:20 What about many of the new compressors that come pre-oiled from the factory? What then- dump it out, refill it in the accumulator? That really makes it confusing. I do see your point, though; instead of waiting to cycle to lubricate- it gets it immediately from the tank where it's mostly stored in the first place. That makes perfect sense. Those pesky manufacturers mean well- wanting to ensure their new product works- but they don't realize it's backwards- as you've pointed out.
you could get a headband mount for your camera to make it easier on you to use both hands while filming if you want to…