its the soda can next to the passenger strut tower

 

You don't HAVE to pull vacuum, but you definitely should. When I did my Tahoe I swapped in a new compressor and charged it with cans without pulling vacuum, still blows cold a year later. I should evac/recharge it because since then I've learned that moisture can wear out your shiz.

Then again I plan to sell it before next summer so maybe I'll leave it.

I don't plan to sell the Z any time soon so I'm going to be sure to pull a nice strong vacuum for a while before recharging.

 

Yeah I plan to keep my Z as long as I can also. Any ideas on how much the dryer costs guys?

Also there's another thing ive been noticing lately, ill drive my car to the store or a friends etc and when I get out of the car I can smell almost like a burning rubber smell. It seems to be coming from the front of the car and I know for a fact it was not happening before the whole compressor ordeal. Could this possibly be related to all of this?

 

is the ac running when you smell this? could be the belt, probably a good idea to replace that too.

 

Check rockauto and amazon, replacement driers can be had for around $20. I just ordered a drier and expansion valve from amazon for $50 for both, free shipping with prime.

 

I have been able to successfully just refill ac systems on two different cars without pulling a vacuum. The Z on the other hand, is giving me fits. The previous owner removed the compressor but left all the other stuff in place. I replaced the compressor and also replaced the drier and expansion valve and refilled it. Was having trouble with the compressor cutting off at high RPM's, so I figured I would take it and have it looked at. The guy at the shop said flushing wont do any good as the refrigerant lines in the condensor are so small, they can get clogged easily and if anything did become dislodged, it would clog the expansion valve. He said on mine the condensor and/or expansion valve was probably partially clogged causing the compressor to cut out on high pressure. He said there could be the possibility that previous compressor grenaded and filled the system with metal shavings, so they just took out the compressor instead of replacing it. I just got a new condensor ($50) and another expansion valve ($30) off rock auto, just have not got around to installing it yet. When I took it back a second time, they vacuumed it and recharged and it seems to be doing better now, does not cut out as much as before which leads me to think vacuuming it may have unclogged some part of the system so the refrigerant is flowing more freely again. I will prpbably take it apart again in the fall when I don't need AC and install the new condensor and expansion valve. When I do that, I won't get it vacuumed again, I'll just fill it up and go.

 

Money well spent:

Electric Vacuum Pump - 2.5 CFM

AC Gauges - Save on this AC Manifold Gauge Set

 

be a good idea to flush the lines, evaporator, condensor. always used brake cleaner and compressed air. theres a screen in the hi side line where it goes into the firewall, should replace it too. dont want any old debris floatin around

 

No the ac isnt running, however it happens with the ac on or off.

 

these cars dont have orifice tubes (little screen), they use a expansion valve instead.