85 limited ac questions

[regal1981]

sup everybody. i just picked up an 85 limited and i need to get the ac going. the previous owner said he ran the ac a couple years ago but hasn't used or charged it since then. the motor runs strong so i think it will be cool. my question is what do i have to do to get it running again. i remember my mechanic told me all the fluids have to be changed and the vacuum has to be tested.... that was a while back when i asked him about my friends car. what kind of fluid is it? i just bought 3 12 oz. cans of freon from walmart last night, i have the charging hose and it has been converted to 134 already. i also have a dye kit with glasses and light. i think the clutch is froze up though. should it spin freely if it is not engaged? please help

 

[regal1981]

i put one can of freon in today and it was looking good, then the compressor/clutch froze and starting smoking. i have the replacement unit already but im not sure about the procedure to do everything right. the box from the new unit says it has oil already, so i can just bolt it up, put freon in and it should be good right??

 

[TexasT]

Do some reading on a/c systems. Google is your friend.

The 134a that us in the system is under pressure. You need to relieve that pressure before you remove the compressor. Then after you install the new compressor, the system needs to be evacuated before charging it with the new coolant.

You might want to take it some where that can recover the freon. Then do your work to it, take it back there and have them vacuum it so you can put the new freon in.

Do some reading first.