Anybody recharge their own car A/C?

[stratovani]

I saw this product for sale at Walmart, and I was wondering if anyone has ever tried it. I have a 2001 Olds Alero, and the AC was OK a few years back, but it's been slowly but steadily blowing warmer air these past couple of years. Time for a recharge, and for $35 this looks very interesting.

http://acprocold.com/

 

[jebmd]

It can certainly be done. The problem is you can't tell how bad the leak is without running a vacuum test. You can just buy a couple of the small cans of R134 and the low pressure hose to try it. Connect the hose they give you to the low side (small connector) and start the car and turn the a/c on max. Three pounds should do the trick. It takes a while when adding freon this way so be patient.

 

[Truktek2]

I'm not really a fan of anything that is supposed to seal any leaks from the inside out, be it fix-a-flat, radiator stop leak or any of the countless others. It's a substandard fix. As jebmd said, a vacuum test should be performed to see how bad the leak is. But if you're a gamblin' man give it a shot. Worse comes to worst, you're out $35.00

 

[Richland123]

Big Lots sells a kit that has a vacuum tester to check for leaks and also the A/C stuff at the lowest prices I have seen. However, you have to make sure the compressor is not shot or you will just waste your money on the stuff to put into the system.

 

[dieselbass]

if it's taken a couple of years, get the little recharge kit, top it off carefully (don't turn the can upside down though) following hints above and be happy. My 02 dodge diesel needs a little top off every year. Dealer didn't find problem until after warranty expired.

also, some 134a systems leak down a little quicker than the R12 did.

 

[Mike N]

Three pounds should do the trick.

Three pounds is waaayyy too much for an Alero. There should be a sticker under the hood that tells you what the max charge is. The old adage of "if a little is enough, then too much is just right" has no place in an A/C system.

 

[stratovani]

Three pounds is waaayyy too much for an Alero. There should be a sticker under the hood that tells you what the max charge is. The old adage of "if a little is enough, then too much is just right" has no place in an A/C system.

Thanks for the tip, Mike. I'll check it out tomorrow.

 

[rtslinger]

Not something you want to do yourself because you need to check for leaks take it to a mechanic let them test the system first why throw away 40 bucks and you will have peace of mind knowing the system is okay imo

 

[DwaynieAD]

easy as heck, do it yourself.

 

[Unrepresented]

As a man who has an ornamental A/C knob on his dashboard, I am both eagerly watching this thread and mildly amused by the alternating opposed advice you're receiving.

 

[jamestown94west]

It can certainly be done. The problem is you can't tell how bad the leak is without running a vacuum test. You can just buy a couple of the small cans of R134 and the low pressure hose to try it. Connect the hose they give you to the low side (small connector) and start the car and turn the a/c on max. Three pounds should do the trick. It takes a while when adding freon this way so be patient.

I don't know what R134a goes for in your area, but two 12oz cans of refridgerant and a charge hose will cost a lot more than the $35 can of pro ac stuff that comes with a hose that has a gauge on it, that can be removed from the can and used again.

My advice is this, if you want to go the DIY route-

Ask around and find someone who's got a hose with a gauge. Use that to check the psi of your system. If its low, buy that $35 can, top it off, BAM.

If you have proper pressure, but don't have cold ac, the problem isnt going to be fixed by something you can buy in a can. At that point you either need to keep troubleshooting, or find a good ac mechanic.

 

[carl h.]

If it is still working, and has taken years to get to this point, buy a refill kit with a gauge and top it off. If you take it to a mechanic they WILL find expensive parts that MUST be replaced, and they will not evacuate/refill the system after testing/inspecting it so you will be SOL.

If it doesn't fix it you're only out a few bucks, which is a small amount compared to what it will cost to have a tech fix/replace parts.

 

[LarryO]

I've done it a few times , on multiple vehicles and every single time the R134 worked for a couple of days, the self sealing fluid did not work and the problem was a dried hose with cracks in it. If I were in this situation now I think I'd run a fluoresent dye to locate the leak. If it's a hose I'd replace myself and recharge. If it's not a hose I'd bring to mechanic for an estimate and go from there. That's just me though

 

[Truktek2]

As a man who has an ornamental A/C knob on his dashboard, I am both eagerly watching this thread and mildly amused by the alternating opposed advice you're receiving.

It's simple. It's a definite maybe! If the system gradually got warmer over time, chances are it's a very small leak. (9 out of 10 times it's just an o-ring leaking), and as Mike N said, you can just give it a boost every year, especially if it's a car you don't want to sink too much money into.

I would just say don't use the refrigerant that has the self
sealing capability. I've never used it, but if it's anything like fix-a-flat, that stuff will get into every crevice of the system.

If it's a bigger leak, you may have just spent 60.00 or so needlessly. Also, if all the freon has escaped your system, air is in your system that needs to be evacuated prior to charging.

That's also assuming that other causes aren't responsible such a blend door partially stuck toward the hot position.

So my question stands.....are you a gamblin' man?.

 

[Richland123]

I just got this ad from Big Lots

 

[rtslinger]

It's simple. It's a definite maybe! If the system gradually got warmer over time, chances are it's a very small leak. (9 out of 10 times it's just an o-ring leaking), and as Mike N said, you can just give it a boost every year, especially if it's a car you don't want to sink too much money into.

I would just say don't use the refrigerant that has the self
sealing capability. I've never used it, but if it's anything like fix-a-flat, that stuff will get into every crevice of the system.

If it's a bigger leak, you may have just spent 60.00 or so needlessly. Also, if all the freon has escaped your system, air is in your system that needs to be evacuated prior to charging.

That's also assuming that other causes aren't responsible such a blend door partially stuck toward the hot position.

So my question stands.....are you a gamblin' man?.

Dirty Harry said it best Do you feel lucky punk well do you? Ha ha ha

 

[Clark Dark]

I saw this product for sale at Walmart, and I was wondering if anyone has ever tried it. I have a 2001 Olds Alero, and the AC was OK a few years back, but it's been slowly but steadily blowing warmer air these past couple of years. Time for a recharge, and for $35 this looks very interesting.

http://acprocold.com/

I used this Monday. It's simple. On the gauge there is a dial you can turn. Using it you will see a "V" with a center pointer. You position the center pointer on a scale that represents the ambient temperature (outside) then you charge the A/C until the gauge mechanism swings to a position within the "V". I bought it at AutoZone @ $44.00+ tax. :scowl:

 

[Truktek2]

Dirty Harry said it best Do you feel lucky punk well do you? Ha ha ha

You have to say it while they're staring at the business end of an impact gun