air conditioner question 96 leg

[paulivan]

After a small front end fender bender the air conditioner on 96 legacy stopped working. I supect a leak in core because that's where impact was. Does anyone have advice on best way to replace the core? Is the plumbing a problem that needs specialist to do? Could I re-charge it myself after installing etc...

 

any advice apreciated. thanks

[nipper]

I'am assuming you mean the core in front of the radiator (condenser).

You can replace it your self, but make sure thats what is leaking and not one of the steel lines. You may need to replace the receiver drier, as the desicent inside the drier starts to disintegrate when exposed to air after being in a sealed ac system for so long. Next you need to pull a vacume on the system and then fill it with refridgerant.

I would replace the parts myself then let a shop fill it.

 

nipper

 

[paulivan]

Right, it is the condesor...

 

How do I check for leaks so I know what to replace or should I just replace all including new steel lines and receiver drier?

 

thanks.

[nipper]

Got a paicture of this damage?

 

nipper

[porcupine73]

To check for leaks, you could charge with a can of the system's refrigerant, perhaps containing uv dye. Then you should hear where the leak is optionally using a mechanics stethescope and/or blacklight to pinpoint.

 

As nipper said, if you repair the system yourself, you must pull a vacuum, as near perfect as possible, on the system before recharging. Atmosphere is a contaminant, especially moisture.

 

If you want to recharge yourself, you could get one of those vacuum pullers that runs on shop air, maybe $10 at harbor freight or more elsewhere. Or you could get a deep vacuum vacuum pump but a good one is a couple hundred bucks.