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Reusing recovered refrigerant?

scusack71 on Wed June 01, 2011 10:58 AM User is offline

I have an A/C refrigernant recovery machine (with filter) with an approved recovery tank that came with it. Can I use this tank of used refrigerant and service back into vehicles using R134a? The tank has dual high/low valves for recovery and removal. I just wasn't sure if it's a no no for any particular reason or it's ok. Thanks for any tips.

Edited: Wed June 01, 2011 at 11:01 AM by scusack71

GM Tech on Wed June 01, 2011 11:51 AM User is offline

The reason they make recovery machines is to re-use it-- it does not wear out- the machine extracts the air, dirt and oil when it recycles-- so by all means re-use it.

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

HVACNY on Wed June 01, 2011 11:53 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: scusack71
I have an A/C refrigernant recovery machine (with filter) with an approved recovery tank that came with it. Can I use this tank of used refrigerant and service back into vehicles using R134a? The tank has dual high/low valves for recovery and removal. I just wasn't sure if it's a no no for any particular reason or it's ok. Thanks for any tips.

What brand of recovery machine did you buy that came with a tank?

scusack71 on Wed June 01, 2011 1:24 PM User is offline

Ok, I have an Inficon - Vortex A/C Refrigerant Recovery Machine. The tank was one of two that the owner whom sold it to me had. The tank has a red and blue (liquid/vapor) valve pair on top of it with seperate male AN fittings for each valve. The tank is yellow. That sort of bothers me since I didn't know it took the oil out also since the machine only recovers but doesn't service. Can you verify whether this unit actually takes the oil out also? My plan was to take the recovery tank and just use it the same as my 30lb bottle (draw a vac with my 3CFM RobinAir and service with my pressure manifold). But if there's oil being pulled out, can I assume all the oil is removed and does that mean I have to remove a line from the compressor to get the oil back in? Replace the drier assy?

I know.... lots of questions, but I planned to replace my father-in-laws expansion valve and I previously used my Vortex A/C to remove the refrigerant to check for leaks (held good vac). I thought the oil would stay in the system and all I had to do was replace the valve, vac it down for 30-min and service it. I appreciate your patience with me!

Edited: Wed June 01, 2011 at 1:34 PM by scusack71

Dougflas on Wed June 01, 2011 3:29 PM User is offline

I believe that is only a recovery machine...not a recycler. To start with, you need to use a prefilter on these machines. Reclaimer machines have a series of filters in them.

scusack71 on Wed June 01, 2011 4:11 PM User is offline

Thank you. I do have a pre-filter attached. So with a reclaimer, can I use my reclaim tank to service back into an A/C system? Thanks again for the replies!!

Edited: Wed June 01, 2011 at 4:13 PM by scusack71

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