m73m95

OK, so we all know Harbor Freight has those little red venturi vacuum pumps for 11 bucks....Do they work?

I understand they aren't for professional use, but if I just want to pull 25" of merc to check for leaks, will this do the job?

Harbor Feright also sells real vacuum pumps for 80 bucks. If I did AC work more regularly then I would get one of these, but for a 1 or 2 time use, will the little cheap one work?

Thanks again.

F18Rep

I've used the cheapie (can't always borrow Dad's good one). The cheapie worked surprisingly well, if you don't mind listening to your compressor run and run and run. Bruce

Jfrahm

You might try one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VACUUM-HYDRO-ASP...mZ230264017501

Uses a trickle of water to create vacuum.

I've also heard of people hooking the AC system to an idling car to vacuum it out, but that would not remove moisture from the system.
-Joel.

Dsalillas

I used the cheapie from HF on my last Sanden compressor install and it worked fairly well. Make sure you have a decent air pump to run it or you'll be waiting awhile.

You can always get a 2 CFM vaccum pump for free at you nearest Autozone loan-a-tool if you don't trust the venturi.

m73m95

Now THAT is a good idea. I rent tools from them (or checker) all the time. I don't know why I didn't think of that.

I'm still going to buy the one from HF....they're 11 bucks...but for the first time, I'd like to make sure I'm getting a good suck (???) lol

Thanks Dsalillas