AC recharge

[trashmanssd]

You can just add more R-134 to the system in a pinch to get you by for a few weeks or even a few months till you get it repaired but it doesn't need refrigerant unless its leaking may be a very small slow leak but its a leak. Just adding it can harm other components if its over charged also it is just leaking out into the atmosphere which is bad unless you are pro global warming like me then its good.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Sorry bud but adding freon is one of the easiest things you can do maintenance wise to the car, probably just as easy as adding oil when it's low. So by your same logic that we shouldn't do easy stuff ourselves, we should also go to a mechanic every time your car is half a quart of oil low.

Adding refrigerant is not a maintenance item. It's a problem. If you need to add you have a leak. Adding only prolongs the problem and could end up costing you more in the end. I would love to know how companies get away with selling recharge kicks when you have to be 608 certified to work on mobile refrigeration and 609 certified to work on fixed refrigertion. Besides, how do you know your car even needs refrigerant? There are many things that cause air conditioners to not work. Also, I don't care what autozone, walmart fly by night refrigeration tech recharge system you buy, you have no idea if you have the correct charge in the system without pulling all the charge, pulling a vacuum and weighing in the charge according to the manufacturer's specs. None of which anyone should be doing without the proper certifications, training and equipment. People bring me cars, tractors and combines all the time that they screwed up from just trying to add refrigerant. Something you call a maintenance repair.

[bluecam805]

Originally Posted by motorhead

Adding refrigerant is not a maintenance item. It's a problem. If you need to add you have a leak. Adding only prolongs the problem and could end up costing you more in the end. I would love to know how companies get away with selling recharge kicks when you have to be 608 certified to work on mobile refrigeration and 609 certified to work on fixed refrigertion. Besides, how do you know your car even needs refrigerant? There are many things that cause air conditioners to not work. Also, I don't care what autozone, walmart fly by night refrigeration tech recharge system you buy, you have no idea if you have the correct charge in the system without pulling all the charge, pulling a vacuum and weighing in the charge according to the manufacturer's specs. None of which anyone should be doing without the proper certifications, training and equipment. People bring me cars, tractors and combines all the time that they screwed up from just trying to add refrigerant. Something you call a maintenance repair.

And maybe it is a repair that is needed. But the repair cost vs a simple recharge charge? I would go for the recharge. Also, adding freon does not make your AC compressor worse, as long as you keep to the proper pressure.


But to answer his question.... The low side port in which you connect the recharge systems is near the drive side fire wall

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by bluecam805

as long as you keep to the proper pressure.

Yeah, which is very hard for seasoned techs to know let alone an owner with no experience.

Sure you can get it close. But the point is you don't get it to the proper spec which gives you the proper efficiency for the system without weighing in the right amount. Most people don't understand that the refrigerant not only cools the space ,but it also cools the compressor and aids in moving the compressor oil through the system properly. Without the correct amount of refrigerant these things can suffer too. If you have to charge a two year old system you have a big problem. Cars now a days will go 10 plus years without developing a leak. That should be under warrant anyhow. I've been a commerical refrigeration technician and business owner for a very long time. I wouldn't want to own anything with a refrigerant leak. Especially my two year old car. Do what you want with this info OP. It's. Your dime. I just thought I would give you some input from someone with an almost 27 year long career in the field.

[Reineke]

Originally Posted by motorhead

Adding refrigerant is not a maintenance item. It's a problem. If you need to add you have a leak. Adding only prolongs the problem and could end up costing you more in the end. I would love to know how companies get away with selling recharge kicks when you have to be 608 certified to work on mobile refrigeration and 609 certified to work on fixed refrigertion. Besides, how do you know your car even needs refrigerant? There are many things that cause air conditioners to not work. Also, I don't care what autozone, walmart fly by night refrigeration tech recharge system you buy, you have no idea if you have the correct charge in the system without pulling all the charge, pulling a vacuum and weighing in the charge according to the manufacturer's specs. None of which anyone should be doing without the proper certifications, training and equipment. People bring me cars, tractors and combines all the time that they screwed up from just trying to add refrigerant. Something you call a maintenance repair.

I've spent a lot of time and money trying to fix this crap by myself. Much easier and cheaper to get it fixed professionally by an experienced technician.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Freon is a trademark registered name like Coke or Pepsi. Those in the trades call it refrigerant. Motorhead is completely correct with his statement. Too many people run down and grab a can of miracle seal R134a with dye and a bunch of other crap in it, and then fill up a system that has leaked until it is flat on gas. Problem is, now it has mositure and other non condensable's in the system. That will lead to major system problems such as acids, and later compressor failure that will require a complete system change when the metal shavings circulate through the system clogging TXV's, and other piping and coil components.

If the system is not flat on gas, sure you can top it off, but its just going to leak out, and running with high compressor superheat as it is leaking out, is going to kill the compressor, and damage the system.

I do not deal with the automotive side but the operations are the same. In the heavy commercial/industrial trade it requires an EPA license just to buy the same R134a as you can buy OTS at autozone.