"Is this a DYI task or best to have a shop do this?"
Dennis,
I've put AC on 3 vehicles that didn't originally have it with no prior AC experience and found it to be totally doable. It does require a vacuum pump and a gauge set, both readily available. The procedure is simple and is explained in service manuals. There are probably countless amateur videos online as well.
The vacuum pump's function is simple. It creates a 29+/- inch of mercury vacuum in the system and at that vacuum water in the system boils at about 70 degrees F and is sucked out as a vapor. After vacuuming for a while the vacuum pump is turned off and the gauge set is monitored to see if the vacuum is maintained or if there is a leak.
If there's no leak refrigerant is put into the system to the correct amount or until the sight glass shows no more bubbles. And then you're done! Not much to it.
Last edited by yar; 06/02/2017 4:07 PM.
