Before anyone flames me I was ready to buy the $500+ in new parts (compressor, drier, exp valve) and have them proffesionally installed by someone who knows what they area doing. I was diagnosed end of last summer with the all to common GM o-ring leak in the compressor. Before buying the parts and getting fixed I decided what the heck and spent the $40 at Pep Boys to get the recharge kit and give it a try.

Previously my compressor would not turn on and the a/c blew hot air. I could only get it to take about 1/2 a 12oz can and it read about 25psi. Would not take anymore. BUt the compressor is now running and I am gettin cool air-not cold but its a start. I have read previous threads saying I should be at 45psi but the performance chart shows 21-29 psi as good on the low pressure side for 70-80F and above 50% humidity which is where I am at.

So am I good?
I thought you could easily overfill the system and screw it up-so why cant I add anymore R134? Pressure is equalized Im guessing or its higher in my a/c system than the can?

 

Are you sure you are hooking into the low side, and you are trying to add while running, right?

 

Yep I am on low side-its the only side the coupler actually hooks up to. And it is while car is running and compressor as well.

 

I had the same problem today. I pounded more r134 in but the gauge didnt go any higher than 25psi, but dammit i finally got cold air!

 

Drop the can of freon in a bucket of hot water as its hooked to the low side that will empty the can

 

I wonder what kit the other guy was using. I wont be picky though.. i was damn happy to get the ac working. I think the thing that confused me is that i didnt see any threads that instructed you to keep charging the system while the compressor cycled on and off. I thought it would kick on and then stay on.

 

I would not recommend this kind of charging. Without vacuuming and control of pressure on high and low sides you are asking for some serious trouble. There may be some blockage, valve can be bad, etc. It may be already overcharged - you need to check high side with right equipment. Never use any crappy gauges or connect your bottle there - it will blow into your face.
If there moisture in system, and you are adding R134, it will became acid and all your seals together with compressor will go to hell.

 

I just did an AC refill on my mom's car and it wouldn't take anymore freon and it wasn't reading properly until I pushed the coupler on there all of the way. It goes on and snaps, but it's not pushing the schraeder valve in all of the way. Wrap your hand around it and squeeze to get the thing to sit all of the way down on there. The pressure shouldn't equalize with the pressure of the can. I woudn't think anyway.