No worries, but A/C system is probably not the best thing to start with, take it in and have it done professionally for this one.

 

You bet it is. There have been some enormous fines levied for intentional releases. 27.5K is just the starting point, it multiplies for every day the offense occurred.
For an individual who made a simple error, not willful or deliberate, I can't say I've ever seen enforcement action taken. (I'm not condoning doing it deliberately BTW)

 

You should definitely take it in and have it done right. They do need to pull a vacuum on the system as someone mentioned. If you try to run it for very long with out doing that step you will be replacing the compressor and it will cost you much more.

 

I think the fact that it scared the **** out of me is enough of a punishment lol Just about jumped out of my skin when I popped that line off. What a dumb-***

 

And just curious, to get the A/C evacuated, do I have to go to the dealership? I just wonder because of all the EPA rules and regs... can any mechanic perform this or do they need some sort of cert?

 

lol, I can bet. It can cause some skin damage as well.

I wouldn't go to the dealer. Most mechanic shops deal with A/C service. Even a lot of tire shops do it.

 

OK good to know. I'm wondering if that can wait 3 months in the state it's in. I RARELY use it. It'll only see good use on the drive thru the desert on my way from CA to CO. I only have 1 week before I need to leave and I still have a decently-sized list of things I need to get done and I work 6 days a week. If not I'll get it in and get it done because compressors are what, 300-400 dollars? And I'm guessing the evacuate / recharge is 150sih?

On a side note -- out of curiosity I gave the A/C unit a little more refrigerant... the compressor stopped cycling on and off and stayed steady, and the A/C blows ice cold. Good to know it (so far) is still in good working condition, just needs the evacuate/recharge.

 

on a side note, go buy a book on your jeep from an auto parts store. they aren't all that great in a lot of areas, but it would have told you how to remove the radiator without messing up your air.

 

After I did that (while ago) I bought a Haynes manual.

 

how long was the system open to atsmosphere? you can charge it without pulling a vacuum if it was only a short time. but if you ripped the line off without properly disconnecting it when you did the rad how is that line not leaking now? Im not saying that not pulling a vac isnt the correct way to do it but over the years ive done it too many times to count but i will purge it though (gas through low side depress schrader on hi side till vapor comes out) again its not legal but i have yet to have ever see the freon police nor have i ever heard of anyone being fined, Oh im sure it happens but never seen it
im not near my jeep but from what i could find you wanted to put the entire can 20 oz. in it a full charge from bone dry is 20 oz. the gauge going up and down is normal when the compressor cycles off it is no longer being drawn into the compressor and the pressure rises. i would however be spraying some soapy water on the fittings you tore loose and look for bubbles id be surprised if they werent leaking

 

dont bother with the evacuate/ recharge if it were going to be an issue it would have happened already

 

That's sounds about right on the price depending on where you go.

Just because it's blowing cold now I still wouldn't run the ac until you do get the system vacuumed out or you have a real good chance of causing the compressor to seize up. There is no way around not evacuating the system once it is opened up.

 

sorry bud total bullcrap done it many times if fact just changed my evap coil and didnt pull a vac, i did cap the lines as soon as i opened the lines but purged it and its been fine since february and thats in florida where humidity is usually over 85 percent

 

It was exposed to the atmosphere for a few days. I am going to evacuate/recharge to be safe. I am not running the A/C in the mean time.

BTW, I didn't "tear loose" any fittings... I got a little A/C line disconnect kit and gently pushed the lines apart. I didn't have to get after it with excessive force or anything. They went back on just fine, possibly going on a little easier than they came off.

I might end up just having to deal with no A/C until I can find some more funds to allocate towards the Jeep. I still need new sway bar end links and an alignment and to fix a few leaks before she's ready to go out to CO, and those are a little more critical. Gah

 

since you didnt mention using the disconnect tools i assumed you tore them loose, you can spend the money but youre wasting it i have 30 years in the business (hvac) and moisture in the system dosent decide to cause problems later it acts up right away it will cause a restriction in the metering tube and you wont have a/c.