adding r-134a

My AC doesn't seem as cold as it used to be in my 96. Can I just buy a recharge kit at the local Wal-Mart? I guess I am not sure how much should be put in. I definitely don't want to overcharge it and cause more problems. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Reply to
Steve B
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AC work (this is my own opinion) should be left to properly equipped shops. The correct procedure would be to recover the remaining refrigerant, check for and repair any leaks, and recharge the system with the correct amount (by weight) of refrigerant.

Most folks have been relatively lucky when adding refrigerant from a can, but it remains to be a roll of the dice. If there is a problem that has allowed the formation of moisture or acids in the system or a condition that has allowed the oil to drain from the system, we may be setting ourselves up for a much more expensive repair in the future. Accidentally overcharging the system can result in compressor "slugging"... again a spendy proposition to repair.

Enviromentally, R134a was initially a "stop gap" fix.... replacing R12 ( a proven problem) only until a safer alternative could be 'designed'. AFAIK, there have been no definitive studies to prove or disprove any future concerns regarding our use or misuse of R134a.... given our past performance, I can't bring myself to say that R134a is a miracle.

-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net

Reply to
Jim Warman

I'm with Jim on this one... I'd leave it up to the pros. Just my 2 cents.

-Mike

Reply to
memsetpc

Reply to
elyrain

Jim always has the right answer. I've found that out the hard/expensive way by going cheap then asking around in the newsgroup only to go back and do it the way Bill S./Jim/Helmut said it should be done. But if you're short on cash or just don't want to take it to the pros at least get a recharge kit with a guage. It's east to read and will let you know if the charge is too low.

Gary

Reply to
Gary

Steve B opined in news:pzP_a.145209$YN5.95955@sccrnsc01:

All of the other answers are right.. but I have to burst some bubbles.

Depending on the shop and billing/pay practices, the "tech" may just dump in some refrigerant and call it fixed. Same as anyone else.

If you dont believe me, find a guy that works in a busy shop, buy him a couple beers and ask how many hours he works v how many he bills.

IF you do it yourself, err on the cautious side. Buy a kit with the gauge at the least, and NEVER just dump in a can!

AND DO NOT automatically add oil!!!!

If the system is cooling now, just not real well.. AND you dont see a hose or line connection that is oil coated, you likely have a very slow leak. You should not have any contamination, provided the system has never run worse than it does now.

Run the system a while, with blower on high. add refrig with can valve end up until the compressor runs constant then STOP!

To hook up hose, have system running (this lowers the pressure at the low side fitting) start the thread, open and close the can valve just a little to purge air from hose, push in hose firmly to seal connection then tighten. Reverse process (eg push hose to hold sealed while running nut out) to remove

- again with it running.

Reply to
Backyard Mechanic

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