My AC has been diagnosed with a bad expansion valve and they say to get to the expansion valve the evaporator needs to be opened up. Once the evaporator is opened up they recommend to replace it. Anyway, total cost would be about $700.

My plan was to have the shop evacuate the R12 and then I could work on the system myself. The shop didn't know if that was legal, but they don't specialize in AC's. I'm pretty sure it's legal, but just wanted to see what you guys thought.

 

working on your caqr is prefectly legal however, tha ac system is usually best left to the professionals.. here is why.... the refrigernat can literally freeze off your body parts, and if you have no clue what you are doing, then you shouldnt mess with it.... the system does need to be properly evacuated though, it is a federal crime to release refrigerant into the air.....

 

Whats not fun about that?

 

.....

 

 

How can a shop that doesn't specialize in AC diagnose your AC problem?

 

there are certifications many mechanics take to be an ac tech, however they dont have to be employed at a shop that specializes in ac repair.....

 

As always you missed the main point. What I meant is it’s like going to a urologist about a bad headache. He can give you some Tylenol too.

 

I get the point....I was having some problems with my eyes.....I went to see a proctologist...







.....man did that get my eyes wide open.....

 

I just went through a bunch of crap with my AC. I replaced my Compressor, Receiver/Dryer, and a line. I still need to replace my expansion valve, but I haven't gotten around to it as of yet. I will be doing the work myself, and I have talked to numerous mechanics and read a few books on AC systems. All of them have said that I should replace the receiver/dryer (accumulator) each time I open the system because of the dessicant inside, but I have never been told that I should replace the Evaporator. As long as you vac the system down and service it correctly you should not have any problems.

 

I would go to an AC shop. I had mine done for 500 canadian ($400 US) they diagosed, evacuated the old r12, peplace a line, converted to the new r12a, and refilled it. When talking to them about why other places are charging more they said that the other places often do other work that isn't needed. I had it done couple of years ago and haven't had any problems

Matt

 

Technically speaking it is not illegal for you to work on your own AC system. As long as the refrigerant is removed correctly and recycled, there's no reason you can't do the work yourself.

 

There was a recall on the expansion valves on some of the 2nd gens. Mine had the recall, but the previous owner had it fixed. Now my AC is broke again. Been like that for 3 years. I want to do it myself, but I was wondering about the legal stuff too. Didn't know the part about freezing parts off....

If there is no refridgerant in the system, then there is nothing to be worried about, right?

 

1. refridgerant will only "freeze off body parts" if you're stupid enough to rupture a pressurized system and let the refridgerant spray onto your fingers, etc, and keep them in the stream. even then, you'd end up with some severe frostbite. it's not like you're going to dip your hand in some liquid Nitrogen and leave it there. geez people, use some common sense...

2. if the system has already leaked down or has been evacuated, then it's no problem working on it yourself. before it can be recharged w/ R12, it has to be tested for leaks anyway, and if they find a leak, they legally can't recharge it.

 

It is fun to let LN rain on your hand though.

 

R12 is a CFC which destroys OZone. So its illegal to vent it to the atmosphere. Therefore it needs to be recovered. To charged the system I'm sure your supposed to have a CFC licence of some sort, I have mine for working on home A/C's and H/P's.

So if someone recovers it then you can do whatever you want.

Even if you vent it yourself its not like no one would know about it. I wouldnt recommend that though, for mother natures sake.

 

And the other thing is if I vent it myself, I have to buy more. The shop said they'll store it for me and I can get it back.