6 bucks later and I have AC again

[BoostTed]

exciting isnt it?

seemed like the system was empty on freon, so I stopped by the auto parts store and picked up a can of freon. Filled it up and now it blows cold air again, just in time for warm temps we've been having too.

[W O T]

wana explain how to do it?

[BoostTed]

wana explain how to do it?

1. go to auto parts store and buy a can of r134A freon and a hose with a gauge on it.

2. pop hood and the service port is on the passanger side of the car. Unless you lost yours, its the connection with a plastic cap with an "L" on it.

3. Attach hose to the service port. Depending on the hose you get, there should be a knob. This knob if turned all the way clockwise lowers a pin that punctured a hole in the can of freon. So make sure this is turned all the way counter clockwise be attaching the can of freon to it. Connect can of freon to the other end of the hose.

4. Turn on engine and turn on AC to the highest fan setting.

5. Get reading from gauge, if its low the refill it.

6. Turn knob on the hose clockwise to puncture can of freon, then turn it counterclocwise to allow freon to pass through.

7. Follow the instructions on the can. Ive used a few different brands and it seems the instructions are all the same. Shake the can and turn it every 3-12 seconds. By now the can of freon should be getting cold, and if you go feel the air coming out of the vents it should be cold as well.

Notes:

Be sure to not over fill the system with too much freon/pressure. I did this on my G35 and it would not blow cold air until I released some of the pressure from the system. I did this by using a key and and pressing down on the valve at the center of the service port.

Also on a previous car, I noticed it was blowing cold, but not as cold as before so I added more freon. It took a few days for the system to get colder, no clue why. But after those few days it got very cold.

[SixGuns]

The cans work for a while, but if there is no freon in your system, you most likely have a leak, bad seals, something...the can is a temporary fix, though. The proper way to do this is to drain the system with a vacuum pump, pull it down to (I forget...been a couple years since I did it...) around 10 psi, I think? Don't quote me on that...before you do this, verify the psi..Anyways, pull the vacuum up to whatever amount it needs to be, and let it sit for about 10 minutes, no vacuum, no engine on, nothing...if it drops, you have a leak. If not, then this test has given you the additional benefit of removing any water from your system. Then, with the vacuum pressure still on the system, feed the R134A into the system (You'll find you can fit alot more in, thus cooling better, when you're letting the system suck in the freon, instead of trying to force it in)...pressurize to where it needs to be, and run with it. But if your late model car has no freon, I'd wager you have a leak somewhere...Which is where leak detector and a blacklight comes in...then the pain in the *** begins.

[fueler]

yup i have to do this ever year and a half or so.... i have a very slow leak. $6 magic trick!

[BoostTed]

I never quite understood an AC system, its a closed/sealed system meaning it should not have to be refilled, correct? However with each and every car I have owned I have had to eventually add freon to the system.

The cans work for a while, but if there is no freon in your system, you most likely have a leak, bad seals, something...the can is a temporary fix, though. The proper way to do this is to drain the system with a vacuum pump, pull it down to (I forget...been a couple years since I did it...) around 10 psi, I think? Don't quote me on that...before you do this, verify the psi..Anyways, pull the vacuum up to whatever amount it needs to be, and let it sit for about 10 minutes, no vacuum, no engine on, nothing...if it drops, you have a leak. If not, then this test has given you the additional benefit of removing any water from your system. Then, with the vacuum pressure still on the system, feed the R134A into the system (You'll find you can fit alot more in, thus cooling better, when you're letting the system suck in the freon, instead of trying to force it in)...pressurize to where it needs to be, and run with it. But if your late model car has no freon, I'd wager you have a leak somewhere...Which is where leak detector and a blacklight comes in...then the pain in the *** begins.

[fueler]

its suppoosed to be a sealed system but they can leak over time.........

just like refrigerators, same thing can happen