Recharge A/C refrigerant

[wannabe]

has anyone done this? I did some quick searching but didnt see much info that was of any use. i also looked in the service manual, but its got a lot of guages and stuff that I dont think I would be able to get access too...

basically my a/c isn't cold anymore, its kicking on, but just not blowing cold. I have about 78k on the odo, so i figure the refrigerant just needs recharged. any clues on how to do this? i see the little cans at autozone/advance but i havent actually read up on the process...

[wannabe]

bump - by the way, i just read the sticky...this can be moved elsewhere...sorry.

[DiS]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 3rd gen HOW-TO section is for write-ups only. Questions about how-to's should be directed in proper sections.

Moved to 3rd gen. lobby

[wannabe]

bump

[dominoy2k1]

i think they sell a charge kit at autozone and oreillys. get it and it comes with instructions. not that hard really.

[Puckpimp71]

Easy to do, but keep in mind that if you've lost refridgerant than you've got a leak somewhere. May want to put some leak detector in there and take a look at it.

[wannabe]

well if its not blowing cold is there something i should check other than refrigerant being low?

[Puckpimp71]

Make sure that the clutch is engaging. You can also get a pressure gauge similar to the ones we use on tires to check the pressure. Did the A/C stop blowing cold intermittently for a while, or did it just cut out?

[wannabe]

Make sure that the clutch is engaging. You can also get a pressure gauge similar to the ones we use on tires to check the pressure. Did the A/C stop blowing cold intermittently for a while, or did it just cut out?

it has been fading out over the last year or so...it used to be very cold, i remember it being kinda weak last year, and this year it has actually been cooler just rolling down the windows.

on a side note, i did just start hearing a clicking type noise when the a/c is on and the fan is on 1 or 2

[Puckpimp71]

Doesn't sounds like a clutch or compressor... clean your engine bay up and add the refridgerant with leak detector, then look for leaks. A/C work is generally a PITA, so you may want to take it to a shop. I spent the better part of 2 days trying to replace the A/C clutch in my SHO and I now have a phobia of snap rings. I ended up taking the whole compressor out to get the new clutch on.

[Nos]

I have the same problem , last year the A/C was kinda weak and this year it's gone . How do we test the compressor clutch ? when i turn the A/C on the RPM jumps from 700-900 RPM witch is normal but does that mean my compressor clutch is ok ?

[Puckpimp71]

You test it by having some one in the car while you hit the clutch with a non-magnetic stick/rod whatever, such as a broom handle. If the AC starts blowing cold, than it's the clutch.

[wicked]

You test it by having some one in the car while you hit the clutch with a non-magnetic stick/rod whatever, such as a broom handle. If the AC starts blowing cold, than it's the clutch.




thats bad advice

[Puckpimp71]

Elaborate... That's what I've always heard from tech/mechanic friends. And if it's bad advice, then what do you propose?

[wicked]

first you should not service your own system if your not qualified to do so.



the clutch won't/shouldn't come on when your low on your freon since the car has whats called a "low presure cuttoff" it makes it so if the low presure side on your system gets below 30psi it will not engadge the clutch so as it won't fry it.


the reason your running out of 134a is becuase your never using your system during the winter so what happens is that the seals dry,then once the 134a passes it for the first few times each year some leaks out till the oils can get to the seals.


it just neads a recharge by a certified tech

[Puckpimp71]

I agree on not servicing the system if you're not qualified and you're right about the low pressure cut-off. He was just asking about checking if the clutch works. On my SHO, I had the clutch wear out on me twice even though I had enough R12. Each car's different, but after replacing it twice, I've learned two things 1) Whoever invented snap-rings should be shot and 2) DO NOT get any oil on a new compressor clutch... especially after putting the new one in.

[wicked]

I agree on not servicing the system if you're not qualified and you're right about the low pressure cut-off. He was just asking about checking if the clutch works. On my SHO, I had the clutch wear out on me twice even though I had enough R12. Each car's different, but after replacing it twice, I've learned two things 1) Whoever invented snap-rings should be shot and 2) DO NOT get any oil on a new compressor clutch... especially after putting the new one in.



the differnce is the system,I am telling him not to do this because a system can blow cool at 30psi,but if it oes down,then he tries this,he may endup replacing his compressor when all he needed was a little 134a.


the SHO has a different system,and R12 runs at entirly different presures.

[Puckpimp71]

+rep for that....wait, it still doesn't work. I'll keep that in mind if I need to work in the MSP's AC.

[wicked]

+rep for that....wait, it still doesn't work. I'll keep that in mind if I need to work in the MSP's AC.just like to keep thing factual here.

[Nos]

first you should not service your own system if your not qualified to do so.



the clutch won't/shouldn't come on when your low on your freon since the car has whats called a "low presure cuttoff" it makes it so if the low presure side on your system gets below 30psi it will not engadge the clutch so as it won't fry it.


the reason your running out of 134a is becuase your never using your system during the winter so what happens is that the seals dry,then once the 134a passes it for the first few times each year some leaks out till the oils can get to the seals.


it just neads a recharge by a certified tech


thanks alot for the nice write up , makes sence ! Out of no where my A/C works . I messed around with the black wire going to the A/C compressor , looks like it was the clutch .

[wannabe]

the reason your running out of 134a is becuase your never using your system during the winter so what happens is that the seals dry,then once the 134a passes it for the first few times each year some leaks out till the oils can get to the seals.


this sounds like what is probably happening to me. my car has been through 5 cold cleveland winters now...

[wicked]

BTW,you guys should try to not use those cans sold over the counter nyway,it is not just 134a,it also has a sealent in it,this stuff can cuase even more problems,and if a tech ever charges your system after useing it,it wil fuck his machine up.