I think I screwed up

[mnunn454]

Hi all.

Was putting R134a in a friend's early 2000 Chrysler Van last weekend. The first can in contained stop-leak. I loaded it holding the can upside down for most of the time. 2nd can of "non-stopleak" 134 wouldn't go in at all. I then read the stop leak can's instructions (20-20 hindsight is great isn't it?) and it said to discharge gas only (vertical can orientation). My guess is the liquid stopleak stopped up something inside.


Who's done kind of thing before?


It's my mistake and I am willing to pay to rectify the problem. However I'd prefer not to take it to a dealer etc because of the HUGE cost they'll likely sock me with. What are my options?

Thanks,

Signed, Humbled.

[High Speed low Drag]

Stop leak is BAD stuff. I personally check every AC system for stop leak and cross contamination (mixture of R12/R134) before I ever hook my AC machine up.

Hate to say it but if it came into my shop I'd charge around 300 to evacuate it into a seperate recycler for contaminated systems, flush out the entire system, then evacuate and recharge system IF it passed the above tests after all of that.

AC stop leak = bad

[70GMCer]

Was the system completely out of freon? If so, you have to vacuum the system down before putting any freon in. I never use that stop leak stuff. I've installed 150 psi of air and then look for the leak with bubbles around where the hoses connect to the compressor and all other connection, and repair. I just finished repairing my sister ac. Turned out to be a leaking O ring at the suction line connection at the compressor. Good luck....

[mnunn454]

I appreciate the honest replies. I'll know better next time. Lessoned learned.

Moving on to solutions, What do you suggest about the current problem?

Do you think a complete evacuation and recharge will rectify the problem? Or, is there a tiny orifice somewhere that's most likely plugged?
Or, did the stuff probably clog the filter/drier and replacing that will likely remedy the problem.

Thanks.

[mnunn454]

Ttt

[70GMCer]

I would at the very least replace the dryer and evac and then recharge and hope for the best. Also tighten all the hose fittings, being careful not the over tighten them.

[72CSTC5]

Disassemble the system, replace the drier, orifice tube and expansion valve if it has one for the rear a/c. Blow out the system real good and see how far and where all that stop leak got too. Reassemble if ok, pull a vacuum and add some oil and recharge and cross your fingers!