A/C unit needs recharging?

How do I know if A/C unit needs recharge?

 

When the air isn't as cold as it was. Not being facetious but you should be able to tell a noticeable difference from when you got it. Honestly. You don't want to just recharge it with those cans that have those cheap pressure gauges on top. You should get a pressure test to make sure there are no leaks or else you might be recharging the ac and wasting it from the leak. Its actually pretty easy to do but the flip side is to decharge the refrigerant correct and responsibly. Costs more in tools then it would to just get it recharged professionally.

 

more than what you asked for but.... there should be a sight glass on the top of the receiver/drier... it is the aluminum tube maybe 2" in diameter in front of the core support and behind the grill. Start the truck and turn on the AC and look at the bubbles. At a decently charge level the big bubbles will go away 15-20 seconds-ish then return when the compressor clutch disengages then reengages. Little bubbles like in a beer are OK as long as there isn't a constant stream/cloudy view port. To locate any leaks look for dirt at connections first and if the system continues to loose R134 the most likely culprit is the seal at the compressor front hub. If it all checks out and it still doesn't cool very well, take the fan out of the evaporator box... real easy, 3 bolts, and reach up in the evaporator core to see if it is plugged with leaves/debris/mouse nest etc.