Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

archie on Sun December 13, 2015 11:17 AM

Year: 1990
Make: chevy
Model: astro
Engine Size: 4.3l
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Country of Origin: United States

hi, this post is addressed to all forum members. what is your opinion on in line filters? I've read both pro and con about installing. do they leak after awhile? whats your opinion.

HECAT on Mon December 14, 2015 4:09 PM

Hi Archie,

My opinion. If you have debris, the system needs a flush, not a filter. If you are concerned about debris after flushing, you need a better flushing method, not a filter.

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archie on Mon December 14, 2015 6:04 PM

hi hecat, I think the premise is that you never get all the debis out, and so the filter catches whatever is remaining. my question was, are they reliable as far as leaking, etc.

Cussboy on Tue December 15, 2015 6:51 AM

I'm NOT an AC pro. But I'd say that if you had the system apart and were considering adding a filter, might be a possibility.

But - myself - I would never open up an already working system to add one.

GM Tech on Tue December 15, 2015 9:29 AM

I've used them to fix leaks in rear liquid lines- just cut out the bad spot and insert the filter- as a splicer, works everytime if mounted right.

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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......

archie on Tue December 15, 2015 11:10 AM

what is meant by "if its mounted right". is mounting it complicated?

GM Tech on Tue December 15, 2015 12:09 PM

Clean cuts with a pipe cutter, clean non-corroded pipe to seal on, not-under torqued, and not over torqued compression fitting- pipe must be straight where cut- no curves or bends. Swageloks for aluminum work better for unions (splices)

-------------------------
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......

archie on Tue December 15, 2015 1:58 PM

what are swaglocks? where can I buy them?? what size? thanks.

GM Tech on Tue December 15, 2015 3:24 PM

I get them off Ebay- 3/8" for liquid line, 5/8" for suction lines-- part number ends in "A" for aluminum-- they make all gas types- brass, steel, etc for almost any welder gas applications as well. I bought a lot of $25 for about $80 once-- they can sell as high as $20 just for one. Just google "Swagelok"

-------------------------
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......

Edited: Thu December 17, 2015 at 7:39 PM by GM Tech

Cussboy on Thu December 17, 2015 6:37 PM

It's spelled Swagelok

TRB on Fri December 18, 2015 6:14 PM

Everything you need. AS Hecat states, filters is just a back up for a clean system.

http://www.ackits.com/universal-in-line-filters/in-line-filter-kit-38-516-12-dia-tubes-25547


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archie on Sat December 19, 2015 3:12 PM

that's what I said.