How to Recharge a Car AC With a Kit
Recharge a Car AC With a Kit
The air conditioning system in your car needs to be recharged every now and then. That’s because the refrigerant that makes it all work leaks out over time, even if your AC isn’t working all that hard. Recharging the system with a kit is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.
It will not fix major leaks – If you’ve got a big A/C leak, it will take a professional to repair it properly and ensure the system doesn’t start losing refrigerant again. However, if there’s just a small leak in the system or it has stopped producing cool air entirely, a recharge kit can seal it.
Some DIY a/c recharge kit for car don’t match your refrigerant type – Many recharge kits are designed to work with R-134a (Freon) refrigerant, which is still commonly used in vehicles today. Older vehicles may have used R-12 refrigerant, which was discontinued due to its ozone-depleting effects. Recharging your car’s AC with the wrong type can damage the system.
How to Recharge a Car AC With a Kit
Recharge kits don’t measure by weight – When you use a car ac recharge kit at home, you have to guess how much refrigerant should be added to the system. Professional shops use machines that can evacuate and vacuum the system before refilling it, which helps get an accurate measure of the correct amount. The machine also helps ensure there isn’t any atmospheric air in the system that could contaminate the new refrigerant.
DIY recharging can waste refrigerant – Recharge kits make it simple to overfill the system, which can damage the compressor and seals. If you’re unsure how to do this correctly, it’s best to take your vehicle to a mechanic for an AC recharge.
Before recharging the AC, make sure to wear safety gear and follow the instructions provided by your recharge kit and your owner’s manual. Refrigerant can cause frostbite if it comes into contact with your skin, and it can lead to blindness if it gets in your eyes. Be careful when handling refrigerant and wear gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. You will be running the engine while you’re recharging, which can create sparks and hot parts that can burn your hands.
Tie back long hair and wear pants, a shirt with sleeves, and closed-toed shoes to prevent getting burned. Identify the low-pressure service port on the compressor and connect the recharge kit’s adapter hose to it. Refer to the recharge kit’s directions and your car’s owner’s manual for help locating this port, which is typically blue or black and may have a dust cap labeled with “R134a” or “R1234YF.” Start the engine and turn on the air conditioner. Ensure the AC compressor clutch is spinning, then slowly fill the air conditioner by squeezing the trigger or opening the valve on the recharge kit and shaking the can slightly every 3 to 4 seconds. Stop adding refrigerant when the pressure gauge reaches the ambient temperature recommended by the manufacturer.