What did you do to your "other" car (aka musclecar) today

[SnakeEyeSS]

I did not know that either

Now that I know I feel stupid for taking my Z28 to the shop. The $150 I thought I was going to pay for cheap but decent vacuum pump and gauges would pay for all new AC lines. Don't think I'd need them but for $295+ oil and freon I could replace everything except for switches, compressor, and condenser. That narrows any continuing problems WAY down. Hope they continue their rep and aren't on time, calling tomorrow morning to see if they started yet. Everything in my RA cart ready to go. What stinks is two parts might not arrive until Monday unless I bump up shipping $60.

 

Wonder if there is a way to get faster shipping from a single warehouse whem ordering from multiple? The other parts are at the 2 closest warehouses.

[Chris]

Now that I know I feel stupid for taking my Z28 to the shop. The $150 I thought I was going to pay for cheap but decent vacuum pump and gauges would pay for all new AC lines. Don't think I'd need them but for $295+ oil and freon I could replace everything except for switches, compressor, and condenser. That narrows any continuing problems WAY down. Hope they continue their rep and aren't on time, calling tomorrow morning to see if they started yet. Everything in my RA cart ready to go. What stinks is two parts might not arrive until Monday unless I bump up shipping $60.

 

Wonder if there is a way to get faster shipping from a single warehouse whem ordering from multiple? The other parts are at the 2 closest warehouses.

Run the part numbers through amazon prime

[SnakeEyeSS]

Run the part numbers through amazon prime

They have too many issues getting PNs and parts straight when I have ordered from them. The tap bit, the shock....

 

 

But several of the parts combined might be worth a shot. Good idea.

Edited June 21, 2016 by SnakeEyes

[Chris]

They have too many issues getting PNs and parts straight when I have ordered from them. The tap bit, the shock....

I have not had an issue with them yet. I always verify numbers when ordering

[SnakeEyeSS]

I have not had an issue with them yet. I always verify numbers when ordering

Problem is the parts IN the box with me. Box always matches, I wonder if people aren't gaming the system, amazon workers probably don't have a clue what to look for in a part return.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Well I added the ACD parts amazon has, prices works out about the same(amazon is a few bucks higher on several parts) but I'll get everything this week.

 

Now just have to see if it's been fixed already or not.

[Jsdirt]

Advance Auto also "rents" tools too - buy them, and return them when you're done.

 

They're also notorious for mis-boxed parts. Can't tell you how many times I've got home and found the wrong parts in the correct box. Infuriating! Now I open everything on the counter before I leave. It's saved my ass countless times.

 

Happens at Wal-Mart too. Nobody checks returns I guess.

[Chris]

Well I added the ACD parts amazon has, prices works out about the same(amazon is a few bucks higher on several parts) but I'll get everything this week.

 

Now just have to see if it's been fixed already or not.

Thats what i like. Im willing to pay a couple dollars more to get it quicker.

[kstruckcountry]

The way my luck with Amazon is, I always go through Rock Auto. Their shipping is more consistent. Even with Prime, it seems like Amazon is late more often than not.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SnakeEyeSS]

Well, cost me $182 to get it back. They spent as much welding a line as it would to replace it, and then labor and freon to find the other leak.

 

All stuff I'll replacing again.

 

 

Here is the kicker, they want $580 for evaporator, and dryer install, yet It will cost me $350 to replace 75% of the system.

 

I had crap going on at work so I didn't think to check into some stuff until they already had it. I guess some of that is worth knowing the compressor and condenser ARE good, because they obviously want every penny they can get.

Edited June 21, 2016 by SnakeEyes

[SnakeEyeSS]

Three hours in, all I have to do it trim the lip to remove the evaporator core, and loosen the compressor bolts a few turns, and the entire system is out.

 

They wanted $400 labor for this?

Three hours in, all I have to do it trim the lip to remove the evaporator core, and loosen the compressor bolts a few turns, and the entire system is out.

 

They wanted $400 labor for this?

[Jsdirt]

I enjoy A/C work on the older cars. So simple. Some of the new ones are a royal pain to get to components, and some like to hide the service fittings, which I'll never understand.

 

Did a Matrix yesterday - super easy, although I don't like how the orifice or expansion device is behind the firewall. That's the second newer vehicle I've seen this on. I like to charge by feeling the inlet and outlet temps of the evaporator. Can't do that on alot of new vehicles. Not a big deal, but it does make the process take much longer, since I have to keep ducking into the cab, checking vent temp, waiting a few minutes, check again, then continue charging, or stop charging. When the orifice is in the engine compartment, I can check the temp right there - whole process goes much quicker.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Rented the vacuum and gauges from AutoZone. Grabbed a pair of Mechanix gloves also since I haven't bought anything from them in years, since they rent this stuff out.. Will be going more now. Vote with your wallet!

[Chris]

Rented the vacuum and gauges from AutoZone. Grabbed a pair of Mechanix gloves also since I haven't bought anything from them in years, since they rent this stuff out.. Will be going more now. Vote with your wallet!

 

Let me know how easy it is to use, maybe pics of it in use

[Jsdirt]

Very simple hookup. Red to high side, blue to low side, yellow to vacuum pump - if there's a 4th line on the manifold, that goes to the refrigerant. If only 3 lines, you'll have to disconnect the yellow from the pump when done vacuuming, and reconnect to the tank or can of refrigerant.

 

ALWAYS purge the yellow hose with refrigerant before opening the valves to charge the system. I just crack the fitting up near the gauge and let it blow for a second or 2. Doesn't take long.

 

Engine off, can charge both hi and low sides. Engine running ONLY the low side - especially with cans! High side pressure to a can could get very ugly. Just need to keep that in the back of your mind, and don't rush - NEVER open the high side when the engine is running.

 

I usually let the vac run for a minimum of an hour - you guys in Cali and AZ can go a half hour without worry. Usually I get sidetracked with other stuff, and the pump runs for 8 hours. Longer the better anyway. You'll be amazed at how really simple it is once you've done it. Just have to be aware of the dangers, as with anything.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Jsdirt