Flushing and Checking AC Evaporator&Condensers

[Roger C.]

The Air Conditioning on my 73 was not operative when purchased.
The compressor is locked down. This is a frame off restoration so all air conditioning components are disassembled. I want to flush and pressure check the evaporator and condenser before reassembly. Can this be accomplished with out special equipment? If so please describe how this is accomplished.
Thank you.

[Geoff C.]

Take it to a professional AC shop *NM*

[Christopher R.]

Re: Flushing and Checking AC Evaporator&Condensers

You could probably do a passable job on this yourself. But consider having a professional A/C shop do it. A/C compressors fail because junk in the system kills them. Professional shops have equipment to give the system a good flush and to evacuate the flushing solvent. That said, I flushed my civilian car, and I think I made out OK.

I only flushed mine because it was all apart. Don't flush the compressor. Don't flush the reservoir - replace it. Replace the restrictor valve. All the lines were disconnected. And the evaporator was out of the car. I used lacquer thinner because it'll dry without leaving a residue. So the only thing I was flushing in the car was the condenser. Blow it out with compressed air. Run some flushing material through. Blow it out. I got it all out because the lines connected at the very top and bottom. The evaporator was flushed the same way, but I was able to assure myself I got all the solvent out by being able to turn it every which way. It was out of the car.

I wouldn't do this unless I had confidence that whatever flushing solvent I put in there, I was able to get out.

[William Holder]

Re: Flushing and Checking AC Evaporator&Condensers

Hello,
I know i am going to get a lot of flak for this but I relaced all the componants on my sons car and flushed the condenser/ evaperator with solvent made for this and installed a new compressor and it Failed the next day.
after confering with a friend of mine who has been a mech for 30 years I did what he said. I went to the car wash and flushed with soap and water and then with rinse water only for several minutes. went home and ran the hose throug both for 5 to 10 minutes. Let air dry and pulled a good vacume for 1 hr. When you pull at least 27''hg any water evaperates and is pulled out of the system. after this I installed a new drier new orifice and new compressor and the system has worked fine since ( 6 months)
Just FYI
Bill