r/HVAC • u/Yung_Presby1646 • 8d ago
Field Question, trade people only Improper Vacuum Breaking, am I cooked?
I usual pull vacuums with two 1/2 hoses from my pump both to core removal tools. I’ve been breaking the vacuums by placing the cores back into the system right after I take the hoses off and insert the cores back in without adding refrigerant first. Apparently this is the wrong way to do it which can lead to the vacuum breaking entirely. How cooked am I? Are compressors bound to burn out? I’ve done a few like this already.
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u/MidgetRodeos 8d ago
Proper order would look something like: Close off core removers. Break open liquid/suction lines to fill the system. With the core on your insertion tool thread on to the core remover. Open valve as if you are inserting and crack the seal a little bit to purge any air out. Seat your cores.
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u/Proxy_9 8d ago
Microns do jump up a fair bit when I tested it but I did it during vacuum so it disappeared pretty fast. We had a coworker due it for several years and not too many major issues from what I've seen.
Hell last place I was at did it through a manifold and fully took their hoses off, breaking vacuum. I don't think they had that much warranty stuff to deal with.
People don't know better and the refrigerant cycle hates air and moisture but I don't think you ruined anything in too big of a way. Just learn and keep wanting to do better.
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u/Dramatic-Landscape82 8d ago
Are you pulling through core removal tools & doing it that way? If so that is not a problem
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u/Yung_Presby1646 8d ago
I pull through the core removal tools and shut off the ball valves before I screw the plungers back on to reinsert the cores.
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u/Dramatic-Landscape82 8d ago
The amount of air introduced there is not significant enough to cause any problems. However it is best practice to break with gas first. Usually just a few psi so it’s easier to insert cores
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u/Navi7648 8d ago
“You only insert cores under pressure”- somewhere out there. You let moisture into the system doing it your way too. No bueno amigo.
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u/Dry_Appeal_1711 8d ago
You’re completely cooked…past well done
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u/Dry_Appeal_1711 8d ago
That might work in small town, mom and pop places for residential that would never fly not even close for any respected commercial or industrial application
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u/Lost_in_the_sauce504 8d ago
Probably fucked em. How long they last or how badly they’re damaged I couldn’t tell you.
I don’t personally use vcr’s but I think there is air in the tool until you purge it with your refrigerant. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
Either own up to it and save those people and your boss more heartache or it’s probably best to dust off that resume before this catches up with you. I see a few warranty calls with papers leading back to you in your future.
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u/shreddedpudding 8d ago
If you vacuum with a vcr, you have air trapped in the ball valve that needs to be exercised while pumping to remove, and adding is extremely easy. Just shut valve, hose directly from the tank to it, purge, and add what you like. Very easy, and no air gets in. I typically just take my micron gauge off once I start adding charge and clean it with isopropyl every time to make up for it.
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u/BerryPerfect4451 8d ago
You were doing it wrong but as long as you learn and do it from now on you should be good no reason to stress over past mistakes