AC Conversion today

[sea2seajt]

Now that I think I have read nearly every thread on here about R-134 conversion, I am going to dive in today. I have all the parts and the tools ready. I have evacuated old freon (there was none in there). I have op-checked the compressor with jumper (it works)---BTW I did this with a little bit of 134 in there.
I have two questions to ask:
How much oil do I put back in the compressor?
Do I have to leave the jumper switch in the harness to get it to work with 134 since it operates at a higher pressure?

Here is my plan so far:

1. Remove compressor, flush, re-fill with ESTER oil (pour in type, not aerosol), then re-install compressor.

2. Remove, flush, and re-install lines.

3. Replace Drier bottle with new XH7 type I bought.

4. Flush condenser then re-connect everything.

5. Pull vacuum for about 2 hours or so.

6. Jump pressure switch with paper clip.

7. Fill with 2 to 2 and a half cans of 134.

Cross fingers!

[Chevelleguy]

You need to change the dryer last, right before you pull vacuum.

Use the whole 8oz of oil.

No, you won't have to leave the jumper in the switch, you shouldn't have to use it at all. The system will be in a vacuum when you start to fill it and should take a whole can without the compressor coming on. The compressor will come on by itself by the time you get the first can it.

You only need to pull vacuum for 45min to an hour.

[sea2seajt]

Ok I got the conversion done last night. Went pretty smooth but I do have a few questions:

#1 Do you remove the little bolt on top of the compressor and pour the Ester oil in the case or do you have to take the compressor off the engine and pour the oil in through one of the Low or High ports?

#2 I got a great vacuum down to 30 and then turned it off. It held for quite a while, long enough for me to see there were no leaks so I added the first can of 134. It took most of it and then I added a second can, it would barely take half of it. Pressure readings are between 32-38 on the low side and 200-220 on the High side. Seems low to me, and it also seems as if it didn't take much freon?? Any ideas? If you leave the can on there long enough will it eventually take it all??
The air is cold but I don't have a thermometer to measure it with.

[DAHoyle]

One thing you can do, is GENTLY warm the can. No open flame. I would think a hair dryer or something along those lines.

[Chevelleguy]

Are you running it with no oil in it? You are asking how to put in the oil but you have already charged the system. You are supposed to put the oil in first or use the hose that you pull a vacuum with to suck the oil in THEN charge the system.

[sea2seajt]

Yea sorry I left that part out. The oil was the first thing in after I flushed, blew out with air, and re-connected everything. I put most of the oil in thru the little fill plug on the top of the compressor then I added some through the line as well. Total of 8 ounces. Then I pulled vacuum and then charged system.
That being said, did I put the oil in the proper place? If so, does the oil not come out under vacuum?
I have charged many cars before and never had a problem getting them to drink freon after pulling a vac or if they were just low in general. My research says on a conversion to 134 with this AC system I should get about 40-45 on the Low side and 225-250 on the High. It seems that I would have to "force" the freon in somehow to get it in there.
I had both Hi and Lo lines hooked to manifold gauges and I had the Hi valve closed on the manifold set. You have to close the low and open the hi to read the Hi right?

[Chevelleguy]

Your pressures will come up when the ambient temp gets higher so I woundn't worry about your numbers right now.

It doesn't matter where you put the oil, it will get circulated through the system anyway. But I do think the York likes some in the crankcase (but you may have a Sanden), so you did fine.

Some oil will get sucked out during the evacuation process, but not much. It will pool in the different components of the system.

To read the gauge, you have to have the service valve open(at the compressor) and the manifold valves closed, unless you are filling, then you have the low side open.

[Tarakian]

Originally Posted by DAHoyle

One thing you can do, is GENTLY warm the can. No open flame. I would think a hair dryer or something along those lines.

Pot of hot water from the tap is how I have usually done it. No possible source of ignition, and a limited temperature (usually 120 degF)

[sea2seajt]

Well so far so good. 2 days later and the AC is still ice cold. It has not been sunny and real hot here though so the true test will come when the sun shows up again.
Now I have another problem to fix....the vents are old and loose so they won't stay tilted up....so my knees are freezing!