Drewser
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2002
- Location
- Mesa, AZ USA
- TDI
- '04 Jetta TDI Wagon, '04 Passat TDI, '03 Jetta TDI Wagon, several more in past
I really miss having a Bentley for the Passat. Not sure what gives with that...it was my bible with my Jetta's. Most of what I've done so far has pretty decent write-ups. Other than compressor and condenser removal, haven't found any for this. I do have a Bentley for my 04 Jetta...not sure how similar the AC system is.
So need some help here. Ordered parts to fix the AC system and here's my plan. Anything I should check before digging in? I heard the relay can go bad...do I just check for 12v at the compressor to know it's ok?
1. System has already been evacuated, refrigerant recovered (you're welcome, environment).
2. Going to hook vacuum pump up to system and see if it holds vacuum.
3. If yes, going to remove compressor, orifice tube (where is this?), dryer, and condenser.
4. Flush evaporator core with AC flush. Hoses too.
5. Fill new parts with oil (how much oil in each part? Total? Drain oil from compressor first?) Put stuff back together, install new parts including o-rings. (anyone have torque specs?)
6. Pull vacuum on system and check for leaks.
7. Recharge system with R134a. Was going to use a kitchen scale and go by weight, but how much does system take? Will have gauges attached...do I go to a certain pressure?
It's been years since I've messed with AC, and then I had a friend showing me what to do. I'm borrowing the gauges and vacuum pump from a friend and doing O'Reilly tool rental/borrow on the flush gun. I'm just sick of paying so much money to have the car worked on. $2600 for the mechanic to do this is crazy talk, at least for an '04 with 238k miles on it.
So need some help here. Ordered parts to fix the AC system and here's my plan. Anything I should check before digging in? I heard the relay can go bad...do I just check for 12v at the compressor to know it's ok?
1. System has already been evacuated, refrigerant recovered (you're welcome, environment).
2. Going to hook vacuum pump up to system and see if it holds vacuum.
3. If yes, going to remove compressor, orifice tube (where is this?), dryer, and condenser.
4. Flush evaporator core with AC flush. Hoses too.
5. Fill new parts with oil (how much oil in each part? Total? Drain oil from compressor first?) Put stuff back together, install new parts including o-rings. (anyone have torque specs?)
6. Pull vacuum on system and check for leaks.
7. Recharge system with R134a. Was going to use a kitchen scale and go by weight, but how much does system take? Will have gauges attached...do I go to a certain pressure?
It's been years since I've messed with AC, and then I had a friend showing me what to do. I'm borrowing the gauges and vacuum pump from a friend and doing O'Reilly tool rental/borrow on the flush gun. I'm just sick of paying so much money to have the car worked on. $2600 for the mechanic to do this is crazy talk, at least for an '04 with 238k miles on it.
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