Not Cold A/C

[Redog]

The thing is, refilling yourself is not really a good idea.

The system has to be brought upto the correct pressure. It is very easy to over pressueize it with those cans.

If you still want to try it, yes it is the line behind the alternator. If you have a tower brace, remove it, and then hook up the can to the line BEFORE starting the car. It's just safer that way because, well you see where the line it in relation with the belt and alternator pulley...

[lonnie]

If you get the charging kit with the gauge on it, (which I think they all have) it shouldn't be that hard to do. I did mine and it was a piece of cake. It does suck where that line is though so you have to be careful, but you can get a freon charging kit from autozone, pepboys, adavance auto, napa....you get my point. The hardest part for me was locating the connector because I couldn't believe that it would be back there. Good luck...I did mine myself because it cost an arm and a leg to get it done around here.

[cavaliers60]

It will cost me $300 to get it done here I believe... I'd much rather spend $80 and do it myself... I am getting the one that has the gauge on it. Has a dial to set the gauge according to outside temp, and has you fill it accordingly.

[Redog]

$300?!?!

Less than $100 here, I can see why you're trying this yourself

[cavaliers60]

That's what one place quoted me... I might shop around a couple places south of here... $300 seems a little ridiculous, but I'm thinking the guy didn't understand what I was wanting... He may have thought I wanted something replaced. LOL

[Redog]

Last time I had the compressor replaced it was $289 for the compressor kit.

I'm on my 3rd AC compressor. The first two got little pin holes in the bottom of the case, in the SAME SPOT

[cavaliers60]

This is the stuff I got. Got 32 oz. total, which should be enough, correct?


I like it cause it has a dial that you can set to the ambient temperature, and fill it within the two lines. Makes it pretty simple.

[cavaliers60]

Just got it done. Probably the easiest thing you could possibly do.... The big 20 oz can and the 12 oz can I got filled it up to the first line. Figure that's probably good enough rather than buying another $24 can to fill it a little more... I hooked it up, turned the car on with AC set on max, and discovered it was VERY low. It feels good to have a working AC again. The air gets cold very quickly!

Added some sea foam to my oil too... Figure the car needs a good engine cleaning session.... It still feels like it's skipping here and there... Not often, but it's definitely there. Hoping the new fuel filter fixes that.

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by Redog

I'm on my 3rd AC compressor. The first two got little pin holes in the bottom of the case, in the SAME SPOT

The Chinese strike again!

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by Redog

The system has to be brought upto the correct pressure. It is very easy to over pressueize it with those cans.

True, but if you are using a dual gauge setup with the appropriate can tap, you can use part of a bottle and keep the rest for later or use it to top off another car (or cars). The trick is finding a can tap that lets you do that.

http://www.amazon.com/Mastercool-855...8131196&sr=8-1

Mastercool 85510 R134a Can Tap Valve-Screw-On Model

[lonnie]

Originally Posted by cavaliers60

Just got it done. Probably the easiest thing you could possibly do.... The big 20 oz can and the 12 oz can I got filled it up to the first line. Figure that's probably good enough rather than buying another $24 can to fill it a little more... I hooked it up, turned the car on with AC set on max, and discovered it was VERY low. It feels good to have a working AC again. The air gets cold very quickly!

Added some sea foam to my oil too... Figure the car needs a good engine cleaning session.... It still feels like it's skipping here and there... Not often, but it's definitely there. Hoping the new fuel filter fixes that.

Glad you got it done...I didn't think you would have a problem with it.

[zzyzzx]

If you really want to make your A/C cold, use this stuff:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34477

It really does work better than regular r134a.

[lonnie]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

If you really want to make your A/C cold, use this stuff:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34477

It really does work better than regular r134a.

If this doesn't work try this....

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by cavaliers60

This is the stuff I got. Got 32 oz. total, which should be enough, correct?


I like it cause it has a dial that you can set to the ambient temperature, and fill it within the two lines. Makes it pretty simple.

32oz is probably more than enough, unless it's completely empty.

[a.graham52]

an empty system requires 1.35lbs of refrigerant which equals 21.6 ounces according to google. (my math is horrible)

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by a.graham52

an empty system requires 1.35lbs of refrigerant which equals 21.6 ounces according to google. (my math is horrible)

Exactly! Both my cars are like that (and for no particular reason, I assume that other cars are similar). So when I see things like a 32oz container pictured above, I wonder who they are marketing that to?

[a.graham52]

bigger a/c systems such as those in suvs and vans/buses can hold up to 6lbs. suvs are usualy just under 2lbs with dual hvac units (front and rear)

[cavaliers60]

My car took both cans and it got right up to the line... So, I don't know if I may have a leak, or what... It still cools down nicely, and haven't noticed any issues. I might hook it back up and check the pressure again.

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by cavaliers60

I don't know if I may have a leak, or what..

You have a leak, but what you don't know if it's anything worth fixing yet. On my Escort it leaks out everything in 3 days as of last summer, and I still can't find the leak! On my Alero, I added one 12oz can last year, and that was the first time the car ever needed it and it's a 1999 model. If I have to add only one can at the beginning of the summer I'll just do that. Finding refrigerant leaks can be extremely difficult.

[a.graham52]

not if you have the right tools