A/C sytem evacuation and refill?
 

I have to replace the blower motor in my 01 XJ. I'm heading to Canyonlands and Moab in June and will definitely need my A/C working for the long trip form Indiana. Unfortunately to get to the motor on the firewall I have to move the accumulator which means a system evacuation. Two Questions.

1. Is it legal/safe to evacuate the system yourself?

2. How much should it cost for a system evac/refill?

I believe it is illegal unless u r licensed/permitted/certified in automotive a/c service/repair. Let u r fingers do some walking thru the local yellow pages and call a few a/c shops and get quotes.

I had mine refilled at the dealership a year ago, placing dye in as well to detect any leaks in the future. Only cost $125.

you would need to buy a set of gauges, a HVAC vacuum pump a container to put the collected refrigerant in, the ability to measure refrigerant accurately to 1/10 pound, and a way to track down the tiniest of leaks, and a license to buy enough refrigerant to do the job (you can buy the small cans from wal mart but they are not supposed to sell you more than like ~30 oz at a time.)

If you want to just get by, you can get the DIY 134a top off kits and depending on leaks it may get you through the trip or the whole summer, or may do no good at all.

I've got the top off equipment and have done that before, but I don't plan on refilling the whole system myself. I was mainly concerned with evacuating the system before I install a new blower motor as you have to remove the accumulator to gain access to the blower motor itself. I hate to take it in somewhere to have them evacuate the system, then pick it up go home put in the new blower myself, and then go back to the shop to have them fill it up again. Looks like thats what I'm going to have to do though....

thanks for the info, I see you are in indy too, what dealer did you go to?

as far as i know r134a, is harmless to thte enviroment shouldnt be too bad if you crack the lines loose in the driveway....I've pulled compressors at the j/y before....how else do ya evac the system at a jy...but i dont reccomend doing that until you get more/better info

Yes, a fellow Hoosier! I took it to the Champion Dodge/Jeep dealership located just west of Michigan Rd. on 96 St. Basically 465 & Michigan Road area on the north side. Hope all works well for you.