My shop wants close to $300 to recharge my A/C but I know it will just "leak" out again. My buddy says his uncle charges his own stuff. What do I need to do it, where do I get the stuff, how much is it, and can someone link me to instructions? THANKS ---

ps. If its leaking, do you recommend I just take it off? I dont really use it much

 

Alot of people I know by those the refrigerant cans that already have the hose and gauge attached. Those will take care of the recharge. They run around 15-30 bucks and you can get them at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store. Otherwise, if you don't use it at all and feel you want the weight savings then ditch it altogether.

 

I'd probably try to find the leak. I can't survive without A/C sometimes.

 

You can get a suicide hose(without gauge) around 10 dollars..

And get something like this:



Part No: 308
R134a W/STOP LEAK (12.3 OZ)


134a refrigerant plus conditioners that penetrate and rejuvinate O-rings, gaskets and other rubber connectors to stop leaks.

or like this:



Part No: 311
STOP LEAK (4 OZ)

But you would need A can of R134a with it...

 

Not that I think 300$ is a good price for a recharge, but I don't think they would just recharge it for that price without looking for leaks and/or fix it, assuming it's something simple like o-rings or something.

Brian

 

Thanks guys, I just stick the can in the "air hole" looking thing right (with the cap like a valve stem)? Will it come with the "tubes" I need to get the stuff from the bottle into the system? ---

 

Are you talking about the quick connect already on the can...

 

Any autoparts store will have the necessary things to recharge it. At autozone, we've got a 19oz can of R134a refrigerant, with the hose and gauge attached to it already for 24.99 + tax. This thing is dummy-proof. It's hose is designed to only fit the low side of the AC, which is where you have to put the freon in. And it's got a gauge telling you how full your system is.

 

I had a ac line replaced and had the system charged last fall. Well it leaked out over the winter while the car sat. I just had it re-charged at a shop and they did not find the leak, but they did pump in some dye so that when it does leak out I will know where it came from. Just went on a trip from Ny to Virginia and it has not leaked out yet.

-the other thing is that I have heard you need the machine to vacuum the system before you can fill it.

I would go to a shop, have 'em fill it and add dye.

 

As far as I know, the only reason you'd have to completely drain the system is if you're converting from R12 to R134a. Even so, you can rent them on AutoZone's lone-a-tool program for $200, and you get it all back when you're done.

 

Thanks alot guys....so my 96' uses the r134a already right? There is no need for me to convert anything? $25 is an incredible deal to have AC again....even if it leaks out after the summer, lol ---

 

I'm still amazed you can buy refrigerant in auto parts shops in the US. No can do in Canada. Have to be a licensed A/C guy. And even then, they'll only sell it to you in 30 lb cylinders.

 

yeah, cans of R134A can still be purchased

 

If your leak is bad enough, it will not last long...heck it may not even charge. I think there is a thread on how many cans an empty system will hold....2 at max I think(depends on can size....be sure you check on this!!!).....

If it leaks out quick, count on getting it repaired professionally.

 

Good Plan!