Charging AC yourself??
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
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From: Florida
Charging AC yourself??
I'm pretty sure my AC needs to be charged. Does one of those do-it-yourself kits from the auto parts store really work? Has anyone done it with success, or should I spend the money and get it done professionally?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Many have done it themselves but, those that do it on a regular basis stress the importance of a good set of gauges and making sure the system is properly charged. Do you really want to risk your $1500 AC system on a cheap kit?
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11
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From: Gillsville, GA.
If your going to do it yourself defintely buy a good kit. Being that freon never goes bad you must have a leak somewhere. You can buy a can of stop leak to add to the A/C system, I have used it and it works well. I would definately get the leak found and repaired before charging.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 42
From: Florida
Not sure if it has leak or not,,its just not as cold as it used to be and if Im driving slow or stopped in traffic it dont blow that cold at all..Just figured it needed to be charged.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
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From: St Louis
Originally Posted by Reb2973
Not sure if it has leak or not,,its just not as cold as it used to be and if Im driving slow or stopped in traffic it dont blow that cold at all..Just figured it needed to be charged.
I'd be looking at the system pressures and at your fan clutch as being weak.
Steve
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Originally Posted by projectSHO89
Probably not. Low refrigerant usually manifests as compressor short-cycling.
I'd be looking at the system pressures and at your fan clutch as being weak.
Steve
I'd be looking at the system pressures and at your fan clutch as being weak.
Steve
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
Attach the manifold gauge set to the high and low side ports and start the system.
Run the engine at 1500 RPMs, then hit the center of the condenser with the spray from a garden hose while watching the high side pressure. If it was too high before then drops below normal with the cool water, the clutch is probably weak and isn't pulling enough airflow through the system. While you're at it, clean the condenser and radiator with the hose since dirt, bugs, etc can restrict the airflow and cause the same symptom (diminished cooling, elevated high side pressure).
Several of the guys around here suggest to replace the fan clutch anyway if it's over 6-7 years old.
Steve
Run the engine at 1500 RPMs, then hit the center of the condenser with the spray from a garden hose while watching the high side pressure. If it was too high before then drops below normal with the cool water, the clutch is probably weak and isn't pulling enough airflow through the system. While you're at it, clean the condenser and radiator with the hose since dirt, bugs, etc can restrict the airflow and cause the same symptom (diminished cooling, elevated high side pressure).
Several of the guys around here suggest to replace the fan clutch anyway if it's over 6-7 years old.
Steve
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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look at a community college for a course on Auto AC...
this will teach you everything you need to know...
and you'll get to use the schools equipment to test/diagnose and fix your
problems...
in lieu of that.. try getting a good book on automotive AC from amazon.com
in lieu of that... buy a AC manifold and guage set from a place online like
www.thetoolwarehouse.net ...
connect to the high side /and low side of your compressor... (or your fittings wherever they are)... then look at the pressure of both with the system running vs. the outside temperature....
If you system is low it obviously leaked out somewhere, this is bad...
you'll need vacuum pump and a leak detector to find out exactly where it leaked out..
this is where things start to get expensive...
My opinion is ...get educated first... acquire as much knowledge as you can via
school or online or books ...then go from there...
good luck
this will teach you everything you need to know...
and you'll get to use the schools equipment to test/diagnose and fix your
problems...
in lieu of that.. try getting a good book on automotive AC from amazon.com
in lieu of that... buy a AC manifold and guage set from a place online like
www.thetoolwarehouse.net ...
connect to the high side /and low side of your compressor... (or your fittings wherever they are)... then look at the pressure of both with the system running vs. the outside temperature....
If you system is low it obviously leaked out somewhere, this is bad...
you'll need vacuum pump and a leak detector to find out exactly where it leaked out..
this is where things start to get expensive...
My opinion is ...get educated first... acquire as much knowledge as you can via
school or online or books ...then go from there...
good luck
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I figured out AC work myself last summer with my Explorer. I picked up a vacuum pump and a set of gauges. Between those and scouring the internet, I was able to figure it out. It really is not that hard. Do a lot of reading online and then accept the fact that you will end up wasting a few cans of R134a learning stuff.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
you get a set of gauges and connect to the low pressure side and the high pressues side. run truck at 1500 RPM. the pressure should be aboug 35 psi and 200 psi. if it is 25 psi and 150 psi you need freon. if it is 35 psi and 300 psi, you have a plugged radiator and getting no air flow for cooling, etc.
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