Re gassing your car air conditioner... DIY?

[sc_rufctr]

Has anyone re gassed their car air conditioner themselves?

There are lots of videos on YouTube on how to do this and it seem easy enough but it's against the law to do this yourself in Australia.

I can't even buy the gas locally without a trade license but you can buy it on line and have it delivered to your home.
(The gauges, vacuum compressor and charging hoses can be bought from Australian eBay sellers)

Just curious more than anything else but considering what they charge locally it got me thinking. How hard could it be?

[Scott R]

Yes, all of the time. Lookup posts by Kuhl in the 911 forum, get a cup of coffee and start reading.

[LWJ]

Yes. Pm me as many will flame me for how I do it.

[red-beard]

Yes. I dump a can of Freon into my father's SUV every other year.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Yes. Pm me as many will flame me for how I do it.

PM sent (... this should be good )

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Yes. I dump a can of Freon into my father's SUV every other year.

James, What hose/gauge set do you use?

[Chocaholic]

They sell the hose, gauge and freon as a kit for about $30 USD at every auto parts store in the country.

[GH85Carrera]

None of it is overly difficult. If your system has been open or uncharged for long replace the receiver-dryer or accumulator on some systems.

You need to learn what type of system your car has. My El Camino uses an expansion valve that cost a couple of bucks and needs to be changed along with the accumulator if the system is discharged. The expansion valve collects any crud and tends to get dirty with use. If the system is discharged, replace it while you are in there.

If you are just adding refrigerant to a running system, you really need some gauges to see the pressures. Read and watch the videos on how to use the gauges and how to disconnect them to not release a lot of refrigerant upon disconnect. Don't just dump more refrigerant in hoping that fixes the issue.

Do so reading and watching. Listen to the experts, ignore the idiots. Learn to tell the difference.

[scottmandue]

Disclaimer: My experience is with home/commercial HVAC.

FYI It is a closed system, if you have to add gas you have a leak. You can add dye to the system and try to find/fix it... if you can find it... and if it is in an aluminum fitting good luck with that.

If the system has lost all its charge air/moisture has got into the system and you should do a vacuum on the system to remove the moisture (probably cheaper to take to a pro at that point).

Refrigerant is very bad for you to heath so do it in a very well ventilated area.

Not sure what the laws are in your area but in the USA there is a hefty fine if you are caught dumping refrigerant (just FYI, not judging)

[aschen]

Yes all the time, but you really need a vacuum pump and a guage set to be able to do any repair work

[tcar]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Yes. I dump a can of Freon into my father's SUV every other year.

Probably not:

'Freon' is R-12, that's hard to get and very expensive.


You're using R-134a probably

[Hugh R]

If you still have gas in the system and its R-134, you can slowly add to the low pressure side of the system with a can of r-134 that came with a charging hose. I'd put a digital temp gauge in the dash vent and slowly add until the temp quits dropping. DO NOT invert the can when adding, a liquid slug and hydrolock (break) the compressor. Wear safety glasses!

[aschen]

agreed that charging by vent temp is alot better than by the lowside pressure gauge on one of those can kits.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

If you still have gas in the system and its R-134, you can slowly add to the low pressure side of the system with a can of r-134 that came with a charging hose. I'd put a digital temp gauge in the dash vent and slowly add until the temp quits dropping. DO NOT invert the can when adding, a liquid slug and hydrolock (break) the compressor. Wear safety glasses!

This is great advice!

We did have the dual gauges but always stuck a thermometer on the output side.

[cabmandone]

Another tip. While charging place the can in hot water. Don't keep the can closed long as you'll be building vapor pressure fairly quickly. A lot of times you'll have a difficult time getting the compressor to stay on while charging due to the low pressure switch. If you keep the can pressure higher you can force vapor and keep suction side pressure up preventing it from going off on low pressure. As long as you still have refrigerant you can add without placing the system in a vacuum. If you're replacing a component absolutely put the system in a vacuum. I charge by vent temp and I look for condensation to build on the suction line at the accumulator. Make sure you have the system turned on Max AC with your fan on high while charging.
Something to keep in mind. If you overcharge you'll actually see your vent temps starting to rise when you add refrigerant rather than go lower.

[Kraftwerk]

..is there a decent u-tube video on a.c. trouble-shooting, tools needed, etc? For my Mx-5 and M3,
the SC has a.c. "delete" ( but i saved all the parts!)

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

If you still have gas in the system and its R-134, you can slowly add to the low pressure side of the system with a can of r-134 that came with a charging hose. I'd put a digital temp gauge in the dash vent and slowly add until the temp quits dropping. DO NOT invert the can when adding, a liquid slug and hydrolock (break) the compressor. Wear safety glasses!

Putting the can into a bucket of water helps the "Freon" evaporate.

And by Freon, I mean a generic A/C working fluid (134A, etc)...not the brand of R12

[sc_rufctr]

Quick update,

I took my car to a friend who is a refrigeration mechanic. He connected up the gauges and it was showing around 60psi on the low side.
(Engine running = Everything in spec & no gas needed according to the VW manual)
After starting the car and rechecking the compressor clutch, electrics etc he said it's most likely a failed compressor because as you rev the car it's not "pulling down".

I'll take off the serpentine belt and see how easy it is to spin by hand but looking at this logically it can't be anything else.
Was is interesting is that it failed but didn't leak any gas!

So I'm now looking for a new compressor

[cabmandone]

Assuming in your pic that the high side (red) gauge isn't connected.

[sc_rufctr]

That's right it wasn't connected when I took the picture.

After phoning around I found a rebuilt pump from a local Euro parts place. I would have preferred a new one but VW wants over $1,000 and I'd have to wait two weeks!
I could have bought one cheaper of Ebay but I need to get this fixed ASAP because this is my daily. (Summer here)

The one big problem is I basically have to take the front end of the car to get the compressor out.
A local garage will be emptying out the refrigerant. There goes my weekend.