New to me '03 Ford E150 has zero freon.

[atikovi]

Gauges show 0 charge so I connected a vacuum pump for 15 minutes. That brought it down to -30 so I shut it off. Checked again 15 minutes later and it was still at -30. WTH? With zero freon, I was expecting a big leak and for the gauge to rise a lot. Suppose someone could have opened the system at some time and never bothered to recharge it. Anyway, going to vacuum for 2 hours and charge it up. Wonder how long it will last.

[bohica2xo]

I don't think I would charge an empty, unknown system.

I would be inclined to pull the compressor & see if it has any oil in it.

I know it is an E series, and a pain to work on. Perhaps pull the accumulator & check it for oil?

Some of those vans had scroll compressors, others had the FS10 piston compressor.

It would be no fun at all to charge it & run it - only to discover it was low on oil the hard way.

[atikovi]

A/C season is pretty much over around here so not going to worry about it. As long as it turns on so somebody can see it works, its fine. Charged up with 3 1/2 pounds and it's blowing cold front and rear. Compressor is quiet.