I left the old accumulator in place for the next step. Evacuation. I used the Harbor Freight vacuum pump ($19.99) to pump down the system. First you hook up your manifold guage set(+/-$100.00) then you run the yellow hose to the vacuum pump. Turn on the vacuum pump then open both valves on the guage set. My 5.5HP, 30gal sears compressor would produce 29" for about 5 minutes then drop to 27" which I left on for 30min. That will boil most of the moisture out of the system.

Owner caption June 2003 · Photo 10 of 25