Recharging A/C with a compressor driven vacuum pump?

[jasonpaulbauer]

Has anyone used the cheap venturi style vacuum pumps to pull a vacuum on thier A/C system after repair?

I recently replaced the compressor on our Jeep Cherokee and now need to recharge the system. For about a $60 investment I can get a A/C Manifold set and a vacuum pump that hooks up to an air compressor to pull the required vacuum and then attempt to do it myself.

Has anyone had any experience with these set ups? I'd personally rather buy tools and do it myself than pay $150 for someone else to do it. Especially when it may end up being cheaper and I then will have the tools for another time.

Thanks
J

[jglutz]

Yes....Yes....Yes.
SPX/OTC brand...about $100.
You need to have a a decent size air compressor.
Used it a couple times...worked great....29" in a few minutes and held perfectly for 30 minutes.

[jasonpaulbauer]

Thanks for the feedback... .Yep I have a large compressor.

[Levitan]

Hey Jason,

I'd sure like to see a write up w/photos if possible, of the task you are accomplishing. Any chance you could better explain what you are doing and why?

Thanks in advance!

[jasonpaulbauer]

Hey Jason,

I'd sure like to see a write up w/photos if possible, of the task you are accomplishing. Any chance you could better explain what you are doing and why?

Thanks in advance!

When the A/C compressor was replaced, the system was open to atmosphere. To get a full Charge of refridgerant and remove any moisture (which can damage A/C components) I need to pull a vacuum on the system before recharging.