Recharge a/c

What options do I have for doing it myself ?

Was gonna just refill the freon . Or should I follow something else? Buy the one with the dye in it? I pretty sure the compressor still good and turns on. It just doesnt get cold

2006 tacoma 2.7 4 cylinder. Thanks

 

My '06 was the same. I looked into it and decided to let the dealership do it. It was only $150 and they replaced the valves and tested for leaks. I figured if something went wrong it was on their backs to re-do...but then I have a really good dealership here.

 

Dye is ok, leak stop is bad juju. The best, most accurate way to recharge the AC is start from empty, weigh in 22 ozs.

 

Have you checked your cabin air filter or cleaned the condenser coil recently?

 

Not a DIY typically but you can do it for cheap now with some basic stuff from Amazon. Ie. Manifold set and can adapters.

You will want to use straight R134, DO NOT use stuff that has additives as mentioned. Be careful because this is like pretty much all of them. Usually the plain white cans are straight refrigerant.

Youll need to hook up the manifold, read pressures, and add refrigerant accordingly. All of this can be found online so it's nothing new.

Another part is where did it go. If you see staining around lines or components it's because a leak occurred. This absolutely needs to be fixed before recharging. It also requires recovering. All can be done but is more complicated.

Some refrigerant slowly leaks out over time. I think rule of thumb is a half ounce per year on average. At some point you will lose cooling and/or compressor stops coming on.

So if it just needs a top off no big deal. If it leaked out due to a fault seal it's a lot more in depth.

I bought a gauge set, all the fittings, and a vacuum pump online for under $150. This will do everything except recover old refrigerant. This requires a significantly more expensive professional grade machine. You could just vent it to atmosphere but it's illegal. Of course when your vehicle naturally vents it to atmosphere it isn't illegal. Difference? Only by law...

 

First. It's a sealed system. It shouldn't leak AT ALL. It leaks FIX IT. It won't get "used up" or magically make it way out of the system.

Second. When you "vent" 22oz of refrigerant 134a its equivalent of releasing 2 tons of Carbon Dioxide into the ozone. The 134 last upwards of 20 years in the ozone which eats away at the ozone and has a global warming potential. So that's why its illegal. And actually EPA says that a system leaks over a certain percentage per year, that it must be fixed or condemned. Comfort cooling is 10% so that's 2.2 oz of a 22 oz system. Obviously you can't fine the equipment but the EPA will fine the owners up to $10,000 per violation.

Source: EPA 608/609 Certified and Chiller Technician working on 134 systems with thousands of pounds of 134 in them.

But OP, you do what you want.

 

It hilarious that some people make it sound like venting R134a into the air is worse than killing a baby.

 

I didn't say anything about killing babies. Lol. I'm just stating what the EPA says on venting the refrigerant. Last time I checked it's a free country and the government lies. So OP can do what he wants.

 

Pretty sure R134 was created to not eat the ozone or people's brain but it may have in your case.

Yeah, it's a sealed system and refrigerant doesn't get used up. But it permeates through the hose. Yes, barrier hoses prevent this but it still will drop slightly over time. If it didn't, why would compare is sell those kits in Autozone to top it off.

Now I speak from being Master ASE certified and having a refigerant license to perform work, plus I'm not stupid. So I do have something going for me.

You should really stop what you are doing and tell all the shops that are topping off cars to blow cold air it is a waste of time. They are totally sealed systems...

 

I appreciate the hate and the personal attack. I will keep doing what I do. You just reminded me why I don't get on social media or the forums often.

 

get the kit and be done

 

But but I I wanted to chime in!!!

 

Where the condenser coil? Not that the cabin filter just did that last week

 

It is a 06

 

The condenser is in front of the radiator. Soak it with soapy water, then flush with a garden hose. Do not use a pressure washer as it may flatten the fins on the condenser.

 

The front top and back of the outside of the condenser? What kind of soapy water? Sorry never done this before

 

There a leak somewhere?

 

Wat exact stuff from Amazon?

 

Wash from the front. You can see it behind the grill. Air goes thru the condenser, thru the radiator, and then to the fan. Dishwashing soap will work just fine. I use Dawn.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=how+to+wash+a+vehicle+condenser