A/C low refrigerant

Yup, I am aware the dealership charges more. I guess I just prefer to use them because of the big Toyota sign out front and that I should probably start looking at local shops.. they won't have the free coffee or videos of Jan tho...

 

These new systems are very sensitive to the amount of expensive r1234yf refrigerant you put in. You are completely guessing with those over the counter systems gauges. Yeah, it can get you close (or you can get lucky), but the A/C performance will suffer in hot weather without precisely the right amount of refrigerant. Only a complete evacuation and refill using an accurate scale can ensure a proper fill Having said that, a good local A/C shop could do the same thing for a lot less, but the refigerant IS expensive - this is NOT R134A.

 

My 2019 Tacoma was blowing hot air this spring. I took it to my Toyota dealer a week before the 3 year warranty expired. The problem was a failed O ring, fixed under warranty.

 

2016

 

Can you get it in a can at Napa? or any auto store?

 

The A/C on my '17 never worked properly. I bought the truck mid-summer and because of this, I hardly drove it - the bike sees most of the mileage in the summer. The few times I did drive it, I noticed it would get cool but not cold. I mentioned it one time when in for routine service and got a story that because of fuel mileage, the A/C was calibrated to not work as hard, blahblahblah. I didn't push it as I didn't use the truck that much in warmer weather and I got the impression the dealer had no desire to go any further. By the next spring, I was out of warranty and just lived with it.

One time, I had the truck in to a local shop and asked about it. He wasn't set up to do an evac and pressure test with the r1234yf refrigerant but agreed that it didn't seem right.

Fast forward to about a month ago. I finally figured: bullshit, if the system had a leak, by this time it wouldn't even get cool. I bought a gauge and a can of refrigerant, topped off the system and it has been working like a champ. With some of the bullshit that gets out of the factory not properly filled, is it possible that some trucks got out without enough refrigerant? I'm starting to think yes.

 

I speak from experience, do not use the DIY AC recharge bottles from Auto parts stores. You have a high probability of overcharging the system, even with the gauges on the bottle. When that happens, you will have to perform an AC system evac and fill, so you're more money and time in the hole.

OP: You can take a blacklight/UV light and search for the dye. If you find dye, bring the truck back and get the service manager to make it right. Also make sure to request they replace the service port valves.

 

I had to fix mine by replacing a damaged condenser core and did the entire repair myself. It takes a vacuum pump, the correct oil, and r1234yf refrigerant which costs about $80 per can and you need about 14.7 oz of it (two cans).

 

There are multiple ways to leak check after finding that oily spot spray some liquid soap on that joint and run the A/C, if they leak checked without the car and A/C running it may not have been leaking especially on the high side. Also if you know anyone in the A/C field you can see if you can get your hands on an electronic leak detector those are real sensitive and will pick up a leak quick.

 

Update: I brought it back in for them to diagnose the leak, referencing the above issue and I even physically opened the hood and showed them where to look. Sad that we have to do our own diagnostics but, here we are. Very grateful yet again to this community forum!

I got the same service adviser that told me originally the systems naturally "evaporate" refrigerant and eventually he admitted that another customer had a similar issue, and that they had to come back in 6 months because the refrigerant had leaked out again. At that time they identified a leak and apparently only charged that customer with the replacement part, not the full refill charge, noting that the leak was present when the vehicle was in the first time.

I dropped the truck off and am waiting for the service manager to give me a call later today, I will keep this post up-to-date. I hope I'm not being a Karen, just worried that I'll be out the $400 again for another refill + the fix later down the line if we don't resolve it now

 

you are not. Most people don't keep vehicles more than 2-3 years, so some will do shit like this, betting you'll drive off cool n happy, and never return. The right fix is finding the leak first, but what's right is not always easy.

 

Second update: Tech has agreed with the fix, which is to replace the O-ring. $3.29 installed.

They need to special order the part and it should be in and ready next week. No (additional) charge for re-diagnostics or A/C recharge.

 

Service Writer: "what happened to the profit on this job?"

You: "must have evaporated"

 

you have to properly evacuate the system first or it will lead to issues in the future. those cans are really only a bandaid until you can do it properly

 

ah, yes, those Toyota o-rings are pretty special

 

still having, also out of warranty and couldn’t bother to fix it. I haven’t top’d up my A/C since last year though. She still blows cold after I top’d it up with a 20$ or whatever it was can.

 

Wow, so they never replaced the o-ring? Or they did and it didn't solve the issue?

They did say they performed a leak & compression check on mine and it came back within acceptable limits as-is with out the o-ring replacement...

 

I never took it to a dealer, been waiting for my work to suck it up and by a R1234yf machine so I can do it myself. Even equipment is running the stuff now.