i might have missed it, but im not really finding helpful resources on fixing the A/C. Does anyone have DIY on a recharge or replacing the compressor?

The previous owner told me it just needed a recharge, but when i test out the A/C, i dont feel the compressor, fan or whatever needs to turn on kick in. it feels like the button doesnt do anything. is this normal if its just out of gas, or should i still feel the a/c turning over?

thanks!

 

I don't know how one can cover all possible air conditioner repair issues, but in terms of charging the a/c system I've used A/C Pro on my S2k, very easy to use, and it is 134a freon. You can find it at any auto parts store.

Just follow the instructions on the product or this video and you are good to go, very easy to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn0C9jPOAAQ

 

nice diy

 

Don't put any refrigerant in your car that has a sealer added, unless you want to trash 3K$ worth of real A/C equipment at the shop that looks at your car after it is still broken. They don't bother to tell you after the sealer has been added most shop won't touch the system unless they are replacing everything. Sealers may be legal to sell, but they are borderline criminal.

Charging via low side pressure only without evacuating air from system is an equally bad idea. You have no idea the current state of charge, oil level or if a leak is present. After its charged you can't monitor high side pressure, which is good because you won't be able too see the elevated pressures from the compressible air in the system you didn't remove that isn't carrying the oil we didn't check to lubricate the compressor.

The reason there aren't any DIY A/C service threads has to do with the equipment to accurately and correctly do so is well outside most DIY skill and $ level.

 

This^^^^

Also, I'm pretty sure the A/C system will not function if there is too little or too much pressure. I believe there is a pressure switch in our compressor to prevent the compressors from being destroyed. This is one DIY I never bother touching, unless it's something I can do without opening the system (changing compressor clutch, etc) or if I know what part is bad, I'll do that work, drive it to a shop, have them evacuate it and then recharge the system.

 

If your compressor isn't turning on you don't need a DIY, you need professional service.

 

compreasor will not run if its too low on refrigerant. Then again if its gotten that low... makes you wonder how bad of a leak you have...

 

Please do not buy the stuff in the video. Even if it does work at first, it'll catch up with you later. As soon as you hear "synthetic formula blah blah additive blah blah" you should run for your (air conditioner's) life. There are 2 things that should be in your A/C system: 134a and the proper oil. If you do buy the DIY can stuff, make sure it only contains those 2 things. A/C refrigerant is not engine oil; you don't want additives that make it "better!" And yes contaminated refrigerant is a real concern at pro A/C shops.

Unfortunately it does seem like you need help from a pro. I don't mean to be negative, but there's really no substitute for the right equipment for A/C issues. A shop will also have a leak detector probe that can usually find the leak in a few minutes. If you are determined to DIY, you need to at the very least get a proper set of gauges to see what the pressure is on both sides. The charge may be fine, or it may even be overcharged already (easy to do with the DIY can), in which case you'll make the problem worse by adding refrigerant.

 

cool thanks guys

 

Sorry to bring this back up from the dead, but can anyone confirm whether this doesn't have the sealer that the previous posters recommend to avoid? It says the can is "self sealing", I'm not sure if that means it has the sealer in it or if that is referring to the can it comes in.

https://www.autozone.com/a-c-chargin...2oz/244738_0_0

Thanks in advance!