Do you know what's involved in the "check"?

 

leaks and the whole AC system.
~Gage~

 

How do you know you need a recharge?

 

Turns out that now I dont think I need a recharge, I drove about 120 miles today and the A/C was pretty cool.
~Gage~

 

I dont know if I need a recharge, how can I tell if it needs to be recharged?
Thanks ~Gage~

 

Air blowing out from vent should be about 40 to 45 degrees

 

I know its not that cold. I will check the temp. next time.
Thanks ~Gage~

 

I would say the air blowing from the vent should be 40-45 degrees BELOW the ambient temperature. Example: It's 80 degrees outside; your vents should be pushing out air that is 40 degrees or colder.

You can buy a thermometer that looks like a meat-grilling thermometer at O'reilly's - I bought mine there about a week ago when I was servicing my own A/C.

IMHO, the thermometer is the way to go for the shade-tree mechanic like myself because the cheap gauges that you buy with freon or whatever only check the low-side and that won't tell the whole story (Although the cheap gauge is nice to have because it will tell you if you have a leak). Of course, the proper solution is to part with $150 and buy a good set of gauges, as well as the thermometer.

If the temperature coming out of your vents is too warm, you could be under-charged, you could be over-charged (If you've added freon), or you could have a problem with a part such as an expansion valve, a blend door, etc. I would not just go add a can of freon on a whim as you could end up over-charged in a hurry and you end up looking like this guy:

 

I called around and found one place that would do an ac check and refill for a hundred bucks. For what that is worth.

 

That sounds like a great price.
~Gage~

 

Well sometimes you get what you pay for, cheaper is not always better.

 

That is very true that is just the best deal I could find calling around and I didn't even ask what they considered to be a check of the system.

 

you can do a visual check of all the lines attached to the a/c

look for oil soaked hoses...or heavy buildup of dirt if driving off road a lot

look at the condensor, check between the condensor and radiator with a flash light

a leak in any one or more of those parts can sure add a lot of money to the repair bill

Mark

 

Lots of good replies!
DIY AC repair is actually easy once you make an investment in tools and gain some solid, basic knowledge. Once you have this it is a real money saver, and you can actually make some money doing a repair here and there for friends or family. The majority of problems that you will find will be refrigerant leaks. It's not rocket science, but it can be intimidating until you understand the system.
The AC system is, by far, the most misunderstood and badly repaired system by DIYers on a motor vehicle. (Auto trannys are pretty a close second). Products and supplies aimed at DIYers and sold at the "chain" parts stores only serve to perpetuate this issue.

[rant] The "common Joe" would be much better served if 80% of the AC crap on display at Automurraykragenadvancepepzone was outlawed. I make a ton of money from failed repairs every season because of that "can with the little gauge on top". I like making money, but not like that! I don't like being the guy that has to take $1200 of "Joes" hard earned money after Interdynamics made it look like he only needed to spend $20 on what would have been a $200 repair. [rant\]

To properly repair an automotive AC system, you will have to spend about $400-$500 for the tools to do it. That sounds like an awful lot of dough, right?
Think about this;
A simple failed o-ring replacement, evac, and recharge is about $200, a failed compressor can cost $1500 and beyond to repair. The "average" cost of an AC system repair is $400-$500 at a reputable AC shop.

Lets say the AC on your 1997 F-150 worked "ok" last year, but you only get warm air now. It might cost $200-250 to have it fixed at a shop, but it could be much more.
Here's 2 "Starter Kits" for DIY AC repair: Automotive Air Conditioning Parts & Equipment - ACKITS.COM: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Starter and Advance Kits
Even the higher priced "kit" is a bit less than the cost of an "average" repair. (And a better choice because of the 5.0 cfm pump, IMHO)
Ok, you buy the advanced kit and read through the book (I have a copy, it's a really good textbook/manual). You peruse the forum at Automotive AC Information Forum - ACKITS.COM for a while. You're ready to tackle the job.

You find that your truck has a couple or leaky Spring Lock fittings. It's about $10 to reseal every fitting in the system, so you do that.
It really should have a new Accumulator at 10 years old, so add another $40.
About $30 for refrigerant and another $10 for a bottle of the correct oil.

You use your new tools to sucessfully fix the AC in your truck. You're chillin!

You just paid about $485 for that repair. (I rounded up). It would have cost "about" $400-450 to have a reputable shop do the same repair. You actually spent a few dollars more on the repair, but now you have all of the tools to do the same repair on the wife/girlfriend/son/daughters 1999 Mustang (or your other car) for about $90. That's where the payoff is. It comes on the SECOND job.
Those tools just paid for themselves. From there on out, any repair you do is money in your pocket for your time.
Do that same repair on the neighbors 1999 Crown Vic. About $90 in parts, $150 cash and a 12 pack of your favorite beverage for labor...you do the math!

Just some thoughts to consider.

 

I agree with lsrx101----

Not slamming the refrigerant guys, but this is not "Rocket Science". Sure, you have to be careful about a few things but all that information is available. Spend about 1/4 the time reading up on the subject as you do with your nose in a "4 Wheeler" magazine and you can learn all you need to know. If you know enough to ask and are curious, then go for it.

My biggest advantage is that I am not caught "at the mercy" on a holliday. I have more than paid for my guages, I dont have a vac pump, but my neighbor does----. All the little "parts is parts" are available at a parts store. Do your own labor installing the parts, then take to someone to vacuum and test if you are really nervous. I have done many of my own cars and trucks/vans. I can keep my "klunkers" nice and cool.

I do admit that there may be times that you cannot correctly diagnose a problem and fix it without the proper equiptment and expertise or the time to do it---------I just have not run into that time, after many years. Well, maybe once---. I took my bronco to a shop (friend) for the 12 to 134 conversion when my 12 compressor needed replacing. I had other "disasters" to attend to!