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Recommended equipment for AC recovery, evacuation and refill

232 views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  thscott  
#1 · (Edited)
What equipment would you recommend to service the odyssey's AC, specifically to replace valve cores, recover refrigerant, evacuate the system and refill? I am considering performing this repair myself, as well as maintaining the AC in other systems that use R410A and R1234yf refrigerants.

The categories of equipment that I think will be required is in the table below and I expect a total cost of about $1000. Which equipment have you used and can recommend for one-off maintenance?

EDITED This post requests recommendations on equipment for AC maintenance from people who use that equipment. Cost-benefit analyses are unnecessary.

AC Service Equipment

Equipment Model Price Requirements
Refrigerant Recovery Machine Vevor 3/4 HP $400R134A, R410A, R1234YF systems
Vacuum Pump 150 Two-stage, 3-5CFM
Refrigerant Recovery Tank 100
4way AC Manifold 100
Weight Scale Yellow Jacket 75
Ball Valves (3pcs) for AC Manifold 25
Filter Drier 25
Valve extraction tool 25
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Other than going to an independant mechanic you can talk 1 on 1 with, would you just continue going to a dealer? The service you mentioned would cost about $75 at an independent shop and would have accomplished the same goal. The AC machine isn't going to tell you if the valves are leaking because they are open when it tests for leaks.

You found the leak, you just need an evac and one of these to remove the Schrader valves. Replace both and have it refilled. The seal the pin presses against will get flat as paper and just leak over time. As a general rule I like to replace them if they're over 10 years old. They like to give out in the upper teens or during their 20s. (vehicle age).
I paid $200 at the dealer and the independent mechanic I scheduled quoted "a few hundred dollars" to perform the same service and change the schrader valves. There is no shop in my area that charges $75 for any service.