I have done so many v6 FWD head jobs I rarely consider pulling the motor. Of course I started turning wrenches for a living in 1985 or 86! I hate pulling mini van motors.
Sounds like a good gamble to replace the front head only then. I usually try to err on the side of going all in, especially if its mine. Of course when its a customers car, budget comes into play, but I always have to weigh the fact that I have to stand behind my work. Which is why I usually...
Personally I would pull and send both to a quality machine shop and have them both worked.
If you have not torn it down yet do a compresion test on the rear cylinders. Still, it wont take another half hour to pull it...worth that for the peace of mind IMO.
My shop uses Allied Motor Parts over...
No actually the correct way to do it is to recover whats in it, charge it with the correct amount and test it, check for leaks, and recover it again if you need to fix a leak. But what do I know.....
The only way to answer those questions is vacuum and charge with the proper amount. Performance test it then leak check.
The "vacuum line" on the gauge set is called the charge hose BTW
You need to have the freon in it pulled out and the exact system amount put in. What your describing is normal for a system extremely low on freon. There is a pressure switch that cuts the compressor off when pressure is too low to keep the compressor from burning itself up. Oil circulates with...
I have done 6 in the last month with another scheduled for next week. They have all gotten old enough the plastic is warping and not sealing. The Dorman metal upgrade unit is unavailable at any source I normally use. The Standard Products version is good. Chrysler vans are pretty quick to do...
The downside to RA is there are no human CS agents to talk to. If you have an issue, you have to email. If you need it quick..re-order and return whatever it was. Warranty is a long wait, but usually taken care of at no charge.
The downside to AZ is...their parts suck wiener. Alternators and...
I agree with 500 as is...BUT, good luck finding a shop to work on it. No one wants to work on old stuff anymore. I'm the only shop in town that works on any cars/trucks older than 2000. Motorcycle shops are scarce anyway, especially shops that will work on older stuff. I would investigate that...