I think we're only apart on the issue of whether to buy the equipment or pay somebody else to do the work (ranging from just recovering to recovering and charging to doing the entire job). I have a very strong preference for doing my own work. Always have its just in my nature. I don't want to bring the vehicle in to a shop and have them extract the refrigerant. Its not about the cost its more about I prefer to do it myself. This way I know exactly what was and wasn't done and if there are any issues its on me. As stated I have one project that is immediate concern and that I want to get done in the near future. Replace the AC compressor on my wife's Mercedes. It's not even because the AC doesn't work its because the noise the compressor is making annoys the **** out of me lol. I'm positive this would be $2500 or more at the dealership maybe a bit less at an independent. So if I can do it myself for $1500, learn a new skill, keep the wife happy and get some cool tools out of it, its a win all around. Then the next two projects I have in mind are pretty much free. I don't even think these tools are that expensive. I also have a twenty year old son who they will all pass to and I get to spend some time with him and teach him some new skills as well. Anyway I appreciate the comments and suggestions for saving a few dollars along the way but the cost of the tools is really insignificant they way I view these projects. Thanks.
Thinking about buying an AC recovery machine
- Thread starter cgrutt
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I think we're only apart on the issue of whether to buy the equipment or pay somebody else to do the work (ranging from just recovering to recovering and charging to doing the entire job). I have a very strong preference for doing my own work. Always have its just in my nature. I don't want to bring the vehicle in to a shop and have them extract the refrigerant. Its not about the cost its more about I prefer to do it myself. This way I know exactly what was and wasn't done and if there are any issues its on me. As stated I have one project that is immediate concern and that I want to get done in the near future. Replace the AC compressor on my wife's Mercedes. It's not even because the AC doesn't work its because the noise the compressor is making annoys the **** out of me lol. I'm positive this would be $2500 or more at the dealership maybe a bit less at an independent. So if I can do it myself for $1500, learn a new skill, keep the wife happy and get some cool tools out of it, its a win all around. Then the next two projects I have in mind are pretty much free. I don't even think these tools are that expensive. I also have a twenty year old son who they will all pass to and I get to spend some time with him and teach him some new skills as well. Anyway I appreciate the comments and suggestions for saving a few dollars along the way but the cost of the tools is really insignificant they way I view these projects. Thanks.
When it comes to AC work ususlly knowing its done right is in leaving it in the hands of others as long as you get a reputable shop to do it.
I had the chance last year to buy a professional machine for a great price but for the few times I'd actually use it it wasn't worth it to me.
I can see how the Mercedes repair can get you thinking about it.
Yeah I understand what you're saying but have more confidence in myself than bringing it in. I'm pretty much on the extreme end of DIY and have tackled too many projects where I was advised to bring it to a "professional" to even recall. I was much more concerned about replacing the balance shaft, or the airbags, or even rebuilding the transmission in my F150 than this.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
In doing farm AC do they normally bring the tractor/combine to you or do you usually go to their shop?I have a much more expensive Robinair recovery/recycling machine (with MAC badges) and love it.
If I was purchasing now, theres no way I would buy it for the stuff I do. But it's super cool to have.
Being able to recover/reclaim refrigerant before a job and then recharge it is awesome. Also, I recharge alot of the locals farm equipment.
Mines a couple models above this one, couldn't find a pic....
kbeefy
Well-known member
The guys I work with have tractors new enough that they are all still under warranty. It's all the other stuff thats getting old. Grain trucks, Semi Trucks, Water Trucks... And yes, they bring those to me. Since they're local and I live on the edge of one of their fields, they could bring the tractors to me if needed. I live on a farm homestead that is plenty big for farm equipment.
reader2580
Well-known member
You often still have to have some knowledge and skills to DIY certain projects.
I want to add Jake Brakes on one of my 60 Series engine. I don’t feel that I have the knowledge or skill to do it as a DIY project. Sure, I can read manuals and watch YouTube videos, but they don’t give you experience, Someone with experience might know little tricks to make things work better.
OK im really not that concerned about replacing a working compressor in a working AC system. I have a lifetime of experience doing all sorts of projects. This particular project doesn't scare me.
racecougar
Well-known member
My motto is that if a human did it in the first place, I can do it, too. If you don't try, you don't learn.
Nice is that a circle track car? My buddy boarders on a track makes for some loud and dusty summer nights!My motto is that if a human did it in the first place, I can do it, too. If you don't try, you don't learn.
Experience is sometimes a double-edged sword nobody had experience in anything until they tried it! I spend way too much time on the Internet sometimes I'm up all night looking at videos etc. I often research a project to the point I feel as if I already done it before I ever tried. There really isn't that much I wouldn't attempt around the house or inside the garage. I've been this way my entire life.
racecougar
Well-known member
That's a retired Chenowth race car turned street-legal/off-road toy. It sees far more highway miles than desert nowadays.
Exactly!
Exactly!
BurtEggley
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most DIY do prefer to do it themselves, for many reasons. Working on an AC system is not all that much of a challenge though, USUALLY but not always. The issue for me has been that once I invest in something, and the laws change in a way that it obsoletes my equipment, I really think twice when that happens about buying replacement equipment again that I will never get the cost back - in time, money or both. I always have more things to do than I have time, so why go hunting to spend money on something I can find someone else to do well. Doing AC on a car does not always have a happy ending. I remember vividly the time I bought a replacement AC compressor pump to replace a bad one on a friend's car. After flushing the system, adding a new reciever drier, adding the correct amount of oil, and checking it with a special dipstick, evacuating the system and charging it, the compressor threw a piston about an hour in and took a corner of the engine block with it. Defective compressor. It would be nice if something like that was on someone else's dime and time. I am 75. Remember R12, R22, R134A, R410A, and now the many more that are here and coming. Seems like each time the rules change new equipment is needed too. Can't contaminate one with the other. In cars for example mixing R12 and R134a causes the black death. No idea on the others. Maybe if the equipment to do the servicing was $200 I might feel otherwise but investing $1K+ in new equipment again isn't interesting.
OK, got it.
Ohmthis
Well-known member
After reading all of the posts by the OP, I’m getting a clearer picture of what he’s really wanting. To everyone saying he will save money taking it to have it recovered isn’t getting it. Money isn’t an issue here. He Wants to DIY it. He wants to spend money on the tools. He just wants advice on if the tools that he has shown us are correct. Kudos to him. I will say that having advanced tools open up a lot of possibilities with repairs. How many of us with a lift easily look at harder jobs as “doable” now?
OP, you must have a MB dealer that is reasonably priced. Mine wanted $1700 to change the transmission filter and fluid. I had $270 (which I thought was high) in materials. I’d think an R and R AC compressor job would be $3k or more possibly.
OP, you must have a MB dealer that is reasonably priced. Mine wanted $1700 to change the transmission filter and fluid. I had $270 (which I thought was high) in materials. I’d think an R and R AC compressor job would be $3k or more possibly.
Thanks. Yep really interested in hearing if the tools will work or not, if I'm missing anything or if there are better options. I do get and understand the other opinions and that's fine. I really have no idea what MB would charge I've handled everything except warranty work myself since buying vehicle new in 2006. Has 208,000 on it now so must be doing something right lol.
ETA I did have an independent change the fuel pump because it basically sits in the fuel and didn't want anything to do with that at the time. Today I'd do that project in a heartbeat and actually have done similar repair on my boat. Just took some confidence and seeing it done. Also had an independent change a driveshaft that failed but didn't have any other options car was towed to shop and I couldn't work on it myself lol.
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Ohmthis
Well-known member
My wife has a 2011 c300 that’s getting ready for 208,000 as well. Besides tires, I do everything too. I’m getting ready to rebuild the intake actuator……again. Space is probably the biggest question I’d have for you. How much storage area do you have? A dedicated machine takes up space. A smaller footprint like what you have shown will be much easier to store.
What motor is in that c300 I may have a manifold with functioning actuator. Space... there's the rub pretty much out of it haha. Smaller is better.
atikovi
Well-known member
I've got a nice collection of a/c equipment, Yellow Jacket vac pump and gauge set with adaptors for R1234, TIF scale, Mastercool sniffer and valve core tool kit to name a few. I never considered getting a recovery machine for the 2 or 3 times a year I need to work on a system and how relatively cheap R134 is. Not kosher but how most people do it at home. Plus, most of the time the system is already empty. If you feel the need to use one, just buy it. A noisy compressor could grenade any time and throw metal throughout the system doubling your repair cost.
Thanks the noise is definitely coming from belt pulley its a fairly common issue with this vehicle. They make an aftermarket kit that has these little plastic spacers to quiet it down.
atikovi
Well-known member
And you can't do that with the compressor on the car?
I can but I don't want to. I want an OEM compressor that doesn't make the noise.
This is the kit. The rubber "bumpers" are a band-aid IMO I don't want to use it.
Dagny
Well-known member
I don't think you get much oil out of a system recovering vapor. You may get a little recovering liquid but older recovery machines don't want you to **** liquid. Same for a vacuum pumps. It depends on where the gauge ports are located.
I would never take an auto or anything else to a place that has an all automatic AC machine. For the same reason you shouldn't share needles or women. There are a lot of diy guys that don't research things like you do and there is no telling whats in that machine.
I would never take an auto or anything else to a place that has an all automatic AC machine. For the same reason you shouldn't share needles or women. There are a lot of diy guys that don't research things like you do and there is no telling whats in that machine.
signcrafter
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- 12,294
I get it and I'm the same way. This forum can be funny sometimes with members telling others they are silly for wanting to do work in their garage. This happens a lot when someone brings up tire machines and balancers. I mean, we have members with all kinds of tools in their shop like powder coating ovens, cnc machines, laser cutters, etc. Lots of members have tractors and skid steers and other machines they use here and there, and could easily rent instead of buy. I've bought so many tools that may not make sense financially in the eyes of a lot of members. But yet nobody questions someone spending more on an epoxy floor then an AC machine, even though the epoxy floor is only for looks and doesn't actually do anything in a shop besides look pretty. People think I'm crazy for having a tire machine, balancer, branick spring compressor, etc. But I can use them whenever I want and most have made me enough money to pay for themselves. Every ******* about tpms sensor going bad and how much a shop charges to change them. I just have napa deliver me one for 25 bucks and change it in 10-15 minutes and go on with my day.
I've looked into the same options as you have, although not as in depth I guess because I hadn't looked into the mastercool 69500. I have gauges, vacuum pump, scale, leak detectors, dye injectors, micron gauge, and all the other stuff to be able to charge and have my 609. I've added to my stuff each time I need to do an AC repair. Everything I have needed to repair has always been drained when it comes to me. But some repairs on engines not related to AC you have to remove the compressor or condenser to get access to your repair. Would be nice to be able to recover it and reuse it. Also would be nice to be able to recover it and see how much is in a system when doing diagnostics, and then return the correct amount. I've looked into getting a recovery machine and tank like you posted in your OP. I've also been keeping an eye on marketplace for a used all in one car AC machine. I'm not against spending the money on something but it's a lot for something I haven't actually "needed" yet and won't use very often. And right now there are a lot of other tools that I will use more so they are higher on the priority list, unless a deal comes up on a used shop machine.
The other issue is R134A is becoming less and less common so if I get all set up for that it still won't allow me to do work on a lot of the vehicles 10 years old or newer. Have to spend more money for a setup to do 1234yf. That is one of the bigger hold ups for me right now because of the cost to gear up for both refrigerants for how little I would use them. If there wasn't other tools I want to get first and I had the money I wouldn't think twice about getting setup to do them both. If nothing else just to have the ability to fix my own and other's AC issues and be able to remove components to do other repairs. Even if they won't ever truly be financially wise. To me they are more financially wise then an epoxy floor or other luxury astatic feature of a garage.
Have you looked into just getting an all in one type r134a machine like shops use vs what you are looking into? Seems like it would be more convenient to use. Unless you are planning on using your recovery unit for 608 refrigerants also?
What did it take to get your 608? Same as the 609 where you just pay up and do an open book test?
Thanks helpful info. I actually was thinking about the 1234yf issue myself even though I don't currently have a need for it. I may be wrong but believe the issue is 1234yf is slightly flammable and machines I'm looking at are not rated for that. Im still confused about purge feature and being able to use machine for different refrigerants (I know with separate tanks). Still looking into that. Ideally would like a machine that could be used with different refrigerants including on the HVAC side but understand why having dedicated machines for each type may be preferable. I'm not really there yet haha.
I did both 608 and 609 through Skillcat. Believe 608 was actually free under initial trial. Cost me $10 for 609, but its a monthly recurring subscription not sure if I'm going to stick with that or not. May check out some more courses while I'm subscribed. I did pay $65 for the 608 wallet card although that is optional. The 608 course was a bit longer (I did Universal) than 609 but same format.
atikovi
Well-known member
Not sure of machines, but you can get adaptors for your 134A gauges to service 1234yf systems.
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BurtEggley
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it all depends on how much money someone has. People are always complaining that everything is too expensive, then they go into debt on some new toy or tool or vacation etc.. If someone is part of the small community that has no debt - no mortgage, no car payment, no Visa etc., they pay off all their bills every month, then they have the luxury to do as they please with the surplus. But if they are still sporting a mortgage, it isn't what they spend on something, it is what they give up. Each dollar spent when someone still has a mortgage and debt is probably 10X to 15X that by the time they get to old age and need it.
racecougar
Well-known member
Gosh guys. Let the man buy a tool.
Ohmthis
Well-known member
You don’t get much if any (oil mist is negligible) oil drawing vapor. That’s why I dump the compressor (if it’s an R and R of the compressor) or blow out the system into a container. You can measure the amount and compare it to what’s required.
The systems are designed to filter out things. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen though.
Could be wrong but believe the mvac recovery machines do pull liquid refrigerant and oil from the high side before pulling vapor. There is a setting right on face of machine that says liquid and unit has built in oil separator.
Ohmthis
Well-known member
Correct, mine is not an MVAC recovery system. I’ve got a valve on the face for off/vapor/liquid/purge. Just giving my experience.