Introduction
Improve the cooling of your car's air conditioner with an easy-to-use A/C recharge kit. You can do it in four simple steps. We also tell you when it won't work and when you should take your cooling problem to a pro.If your car’s air conditioner blew ice-cold air last year but barely cools now, chances are it lost some refrigerant over the winter. That happens in older vehicles when the aging seals contract and some refrigerant leaks out.
Topping off a car ac system can usually put you back in the deep freeze. That’s an easy DIY car repair you can do yourself if your vehicle was made after 1993 and is filled with R-134a refrigerant (check the label under the hood or the specifications section of your owner’s manual to be sure).
Note: Some states impose restrictions on the sale of R-134a refrigerant to consumers. In some cases, the cans may have a different design, requiring different charging procedures. Recharging AC won’t fix all A/C problems. But if you’re willing to gamble about $50 on a recharging ac kit, you might be a cool dude in less than an hour. You can save about $100 in labor costs by doing the car ac recharge job yourself.
Stop at any auto parts store and pick up an R-134a A/C recharging kit. I used the A/C Pro Recharge Kit product because it came with a reusable gauge and a quick-connect fitting, and the refrigerant contained a seal conditioner additive. But you can use any brand for a car ac recharge.
Warning: The electric AC recharge compressors in hybrid cars are incompatible with the oils and seal conditioners used in many retail recharging kits. Using the wrong auto ac recharge kit can result in a lethal electrical shock. Check the car ac recharge product’s label for compatibility with your hybrid vehicle before buying. If you’re not sure, take it to a pro.
Caution
Be careful when performing this project as you will be working near hot and rapidly rotating parts and belts in your vehicle’s engine compartment. It is important to wear the appropriate clothing, eye protection, and follow all the precautionary instructions on the refrigerant kit manual as improper use may cause frostbite or serious eye injuries.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7p63MoqOyoJGjsbq5wKdlnKedZL2zu8memq1nmKTEbsDOZqmem5iWv6ixjLKmrqpdlrBw