I had my AC system completely bled out during my cam install and the shops are wanting like $115 to recharge it. How much would it cost me to just do it myself (pressure gauge and R134), and how much R134 would I need to completely fill the system since there is zero left? Thanks.

 

I was going to do this to my brother's car on which I am replacing the engine.

I'm not sure exactly what the answer is to your question, but I think the recharge kit will tell you how many cans max. to put into the system.

Consider this though....I've been told that it's not as simple as recharging the system. It seems as though since the system has been exposed to moisture that it will need to be evacuated of moisture, recharged, and then checked for leaks.

I don't know if it will be ok, but I thought I'd just tell ya what I had found out.

 

I did it for somewhere around $30-ish, about $7-$8 per can of r134a if memory serves, and a few bucks for a can of oil for the system. If I recall it took 3 cans of r134a, I'm sure someone will pipe in with specifics.

But the shop will pull a vacuum on the system, remove all moisture, etc to do it right. I didn't do that and mine works great but still... Mine was only discharged for like a week when my compressor went out.

 

I used one of those DIY kits from autozone after I swapped cams in my LS1. Worked like a charm. I can't remember how much I used though, that was like 3 yrs ago. lol

 

2 pounds of R134..