A/C not cold

My A/C has quit on me. It still blows air, it's just not cold cold air. It's the summer and I'm in Florida... it's hot! I think I just need a recharge on the freon. Are the ac recharge kits you can get at stores worth it? Someone else warned that they have a stop leak agent that can clog up the A/C system. I can also take it somewhere and get it refilled if that would be better.

 

Never had any issues with the recharge kits. Actually had better luck with them than dealers.

There’s a risk with everything, but I wouldn’t be overly concerned about (properly) using one of those recharge kits.

 

Sounds silly to say, but did you make sure the A/C button is engaged? I don't mean to come off as rude, but I had a customer tell me the same thing the other day.

IF the A/C button is engaged AND the temperature is turned towards blue AND the A/C is NOT blowing cold air; THEN take it to get serviced. Don't waste your money on recharge kits. In my experience, it's best to do a complete flush. If you don't want to pay for it, borrow the equipment from AutoZone or O'Reilly and watch a YouTube video to DIY.

 

If the refrigerant is low, you have a leak.
Those DIY Recharge/Seal kits make the job more expensive later.

@Dm93 lives in Texas (where it is hot) and works as a tech at an independent shop.
I bet he can tell you what those kits are good for?

 

I only reccomend charging with gauges on both high and low side or with an A/C machine, if you can't see both high side and low side pressure you have no idea how the system is performing or the level of refrigerant in the system.
And absolutely do not use refrigerant with stop leak in it, if you have a leak fix it. Stop leak will only cost you more in the long run as it will plug system components should any air or moisture ever enter the system.

 

Thanks everyone! Went to a shop and got it properly refilled today.

 

If the shop just "refilled" it then do note that you have a leak somewhere in your AC system. Your AC freon runs on a closed loop system so it should never go low unless there's a leak present.

 

I may have used the wrong word in "refill". There is a small leak in it somewhere otherwise it wouldn't have needed servicing. How would I go about finding a small leak?

 

I would take it to a shop that specializes in AC repairs. They will most likely use some type of dye to trace the leak down.