ugh! ac recharging problems

bigbird944 · 06-29-2006, 04:26 PM

hey all,

bought some freeze 12 and used a kit from autozone that is sposed to work but after 2 attempts i got no refrigerant in my ac system......my question is what equipment did u guys use? its gona b my 3rd can of freeze 12 cuz me n my bro both screwed em up. any trusted kits out there for this?

thanks

Eldorado · 06-29-2006, 05:31 PM

have you fixed any leaks in your system?

bigbird944 · 06-30-2006, 07:49 AM

there were no leaks, my problem was with the equipment i used, i cant find r12 equipment anywhere...freeze 12 uses the old r12 equipment, it has the same top. i just wana know where i can get some good equipment. I bought mine from autozone for 7 bucks and i went thru 2 sets, both crappd out on me. Now im just gona go n return it again n find somethin else.

Eldorado · 06-30-2006, 08:35 AM

what 'equipment' do you need?
i thought you just hooked the bottle up to the valve and away you go... 'course i've never done it before so i could be wrong..

bearone2 · 06-30-2006, 08:52 AM

that's about it but you need to know what you're doing or you can hurt yourself.

how it was determined there were no leaks makes me wonder if this is a safe project.

if the level was too low the lo pressure switch keeps the compressor from coming on and you get no flow.

you should be able to bridge the two wires by the reciever drier to bypass the switch to get some onboard but you charge from the lo pressure port, not the one by the reciever drier.

bazar01 · bazar01's Garage

This is all you need. Charging hose, 12oz can fitting and valve and freeze12.

what else are you looking for?

Eldorado · 06-30-2006, 09:38 AM

i think what he's saying is he has that... they're just crap...

mscromer · mscromer's Garage

I'm not an expert on servicing the A/C system but I know the process and have watched someone who knew what they were doing, I have just never actully done it. That said, from everything you have said that you have done, I think your best bet would be to take it to a professional. Let them draw a vacuum(which should probably be done after everything you have put in there) and let them service it the correct and safe way. At this point you have no idea what is your system, If I remember right you have put in freeze 12, oil, and leak stop. The A/C system is not one to be done by the do it yourselfer unless you have the tools and know what you are doing. You could possibly blow yourself up. Sounds to me like all the time and money you have thrown at this, you could have already paid someone and been on the road with cold A/C blowing in your face. Just my .02

AFJuvat · 06-30-2006, 11:21 AM

Are you piercing the can with the twist on valve, and then undoing the valve so the freon will actualy flow?

AFJ

bearone2 · 06-30-2006, 08:05 PM

the can/adapter was probably working. it's so low on r12 the clutch isn't engaging.

bigbird944 · 07-01-2006, 09:56 AM

yea im piercing it open with the twist on valve.

THe equipment i had was just pure crap, as eldorado said.

I'm thinking about just buying another can and taking it to a professional so they can do all the tests. In my area the autoparts stores suck, nobody knows what they're talking about. It took me 5 minutes at an autostore to convince the ppl that freeze12 was legal to buy without a license. THe only one who knew was the manager.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

To clarify:

Yes, you can buy Freeze-12 without an EPA certification. At least, I've never been asked for one. It's supposedly non-HCFC and non-damaging to the ozone layer, so I don't know why a certification would be required. Otherwise, there'd be virtually no incentive to go with Freeze-12 over standard good old r-12.

Secondly, the newer r-134a can adapters don't have the ring that goes onto the lip of the can. The r-134a cans have threaded connectors on them, so you can't use a r-134a hose to pierce an r-12 can - there's nothing to hold the "piercing" end of the hose onto the top of the can.

Next, you need to engage the compressor in order to suck the freon into the low pressure port. Do this by jumpering +12v to the clutch connector.

Do you have r-12 oil? If you don't and you're just filling the system with pure r-12 refrigerant you'll burn up that compressor with a quickness. Get some r-12 oil and that should be the first thing you add to the system. Then a can of freon and top off as needed. I forget whether Freeze-12 has oil in it already if you're using that, but r-12 doesn't.

Good luck.