Is my AC on borrowed time?

[adventureboss]

Hey everyone, currently on a 5000 mile roadtrip with a friend and my TJ with 207k miles. The AC is all original and it went out on us in Oklahoma. Figured out it was the low side cycling switch. Shorted the plug with a paperclip and then replaced the switch and all’s fine. When we stopped in Chicago I had a shop check and recharge it to the right levels.

I don’t know anything about HVAC systems. The mechanic at the shop told me my low side pressure is good but my high side is on the higher side and the system had a ton of air and moisture in it. He told me it’s fine for now but is probably on its last legs.

I don’t really know what that means, I have some learning to do. Would it be worth doing a full overhaul if it’s working fine for now? Or should I risk it going out this summer and suffer in the AZ heat? Is working on the AC something I can DIY myself?

 

[CharlesHS]

When the technician connected gauges and tested the system pressures and temperatures; he should have identified the moisture and air in the the system and recommended a full evacuation of the system instead of adding refrigerant to the system.
The refrigerant accumulator/drier should have been replaced and system pulled under a vacuum to test for leaks.
Then the system would have been recharged.

 

[06lj]

I am no A/C expert but was capable of replacing my entire A/C system with the help of this forum and YouTube videos. I had chased intermittent issues with my A/C for a couple of years. I considered taking it in for a professional to diagnosis and repair. After some though I concluded that repairing a 19 year old system was just setting it up to need additional repairs in the near future. I opted to just replace every part of the system with new. The actual job was not that difficult. Replacing the evaporator likely took the most time and was not as bad as some people have made it to be. The total cost of parts, using Denso when available, came out to $556.55. I also purchased a vacuum pump and gauges, but you can borrow them from a parts store and save a few dollars.

 

[KennethS]

When the technician connected gauges and tested the system pressures and temperatures; he should have identified the moisture and air in the the system and recommended a full evacuation of the system instead of adding refrigerant to the system.
The refrigerant accumulator/drier should have been replaced and system pulled under a vacuum to test for leaks.
Then the system would have been recharged.

I would do the above, and replace as many o-rings as can be accessed while the system is open. That should get it working correctly again.