"I reckon, though, I could just evacuate the system and undo the compressor lines to get to the sediment filter thing, right?"

--> Yup. Something like that. But if you're doing this the first time there a risk of destroying the orifice tube if it stays stuck in the line. See the FAQ on how to get it out. You could use small pick (with a blunt end that could fit into the line) to pull the tube out. Avoid scratching the inner wall of the line. Or use orifice tube puller tool sold at many online stores. The tube is located in the condenser line to evap, not in compressor line to condenser. It should be in that metal line under the can.


"Or would evacuation suck all that junk out?"

--> Nope. That sediment is a kind of sludge - sticky thing. No amount of evacuation could dislodge that. You could, however, use carb spray to clean the sediment off the filter mesh if you manage to get the tube out intact. Also use some kind of small needle/wire strands to clean the small orifice within the tube itself.

Amarin.