2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC...can i recharge myself,01

[MCharlebois]

i have a service manual but it has nothing about recharging the ac??

 

[ttbird]

Go buy a recharge kit. Usually comes with a can or two of 134A plus a hose and gauge that will only fit the low pressure side of the A/C. Follow the directions and you should be alright. If you have a big leak there may not be enough 134A in the system to let the low pressure switch activate & turn on the compressor. It should be engaged when charging the system. If it's not cycling, jumper out the switch, located on the dryer on my year. Remove plug and jumper out with a piece of wire. Then charge according to your directions. I think it's probably around 35-45 on your gauge. Oh yea, the low pressure port is on a line from the condenser to the dryer, by the passenger side battery. If you are only low, charging it will make it work for awhile but sooner or later you'll have to find where it's leaking.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP, ^^^^^^^ what he said!

 

[fest3er]

And be sure you do not buy anything that has leak stopper in it. That'll literally gum up the system.

Run the engine, turn on the A/C (dash vents, full fan), and 'set' the idle to about 1200 RPM, then add a can of freon. If the clutch starts cycling, then it was definitely low. If it's 85F or so outside, keep adding freon until it stops cycling; this will mean that you are getting just about maximum cooling.

Ideally at 85F or so, the low pressure should drop to, perhaps, 28 PSI and stay there with the clutch engaged. If you then turn the fan down, the pressure should rise to 45-48 PSI, and the clutch should disengage. This means you aren't taking enough heat out of the air to evaporate much freon. The clutch should also cycle on and off when it's cooler outside.

This is not how professionals set the system. But the local pro here always told me that the R134 systems just don't work very well and nothing can be done. However, since I've been setting mine so the clutch doesn't cycle when it's 85F or hotter outside, I've been able to drive a refrigerator when it's hot and humid.

Of course, I do have a leak in the system, since I have to add a can every week or three. But after 10 years and 235K miles, I expect the system to leak a little. Someday I'll find the problem.

N

 

[JacobsD]

TECHNICALLY... . Its against the law for the average joe to do it... . You need to spend $20 and take the EPA test online and get your card and yadda yadda yadda... . in order to just buy the refrigerant



But then again its the EPA, and how many of us obey their regs? :-laf :-laf



That being said, its easy to recharge and more than likely its a small leak. They make this stuff with a leak sealer and it goes in the regular low pressure side just like a regular can of 134 goes in. There's also a leak detector that you can put in, and its like a red dye stuff that will show up if theres an obvious leak.



Its also against the law to fully recharge a system without a leak sealer or detectant knowing that all the refrigerant will eventually vent in the atmosphere via a leak. And if you catch someone venting refrigerant into the atmosphere with a photo or several eye-witnesses, you can take that person to court and they will be fined $25,000 and you will get $5000 for snitching.



I'm certified, but rarely do I follow the rules

 

[JRBurton]

Get yourself a can or two of 134a and a hose with a guage and do it yourself , I did my 2oo1 in June , 1st I touched since purchase 6 yrs ago . Why spend the money at the garage unless your hases are bad . All the directions are in the recharge kit . It is so simple .

 

[Batphreak]

Its also against the law to fully recharge a system without a leak sealer or detectant knowing that all the refrigerant will eventually vent in the atmosphere via a leak. And if you catch someone venting refrigerant into the atmosphere with a photo or several eye-witnesses, you can take that person to court and they will be fined $25,000 and you will get $5000 for snitching.

I thought that was just for R-12 systems. Since R-134a is deemed safe for the environment I believe one is allowed to charge a system knowing that it will leak. Or so I've been told by a few shops.

 

[IanF]

The only thing I can add is if the system is completely empty, you may have to evacuate the system prior to charging. My a/c was never charged after the truck was assembled, so I'm assuming just adding a couple cans of R-134a won't do much... I'm also guessing that if the system won't hold vacuum there is a leak I'll need to find and fix.

 

[MCharlebois]

thanks for the replies... ice cold again

marcel