We rely on our car’s AC to keep us cool during the summer months. You may occasionally notice your car blowing out warm, or not cool, air. When this happens, it may mean that your AC needs to be recharged. During an AC recharge, more refrigerant is added to what your vehicle already has in it.
There are many things to keep in mind when recharging your car’s AC. You can buy a car AC recharge kit and do it yourself at home, or you can take it in to a service shop and have it done there. Ultimately, needing to recharge your car’s AC can also be an indicator of a bigger issue, so that is something you should definitely keep in mind.
Your car could be missing refrigerant if there is a leak somewhere, such as in a hose. It is important to remember that refrigerant does not evaporate in an airtight environment, so if you are missing coolant there is a leak somewhere.
The age of your car is also a factor when deciding to recharge your AC. Generally speaking, cars manufactured before 1995 use a R12 refrigerant, which is no longer produced. In this case the only option you have is to have a certified mechanic install a new AC system for your car.
Cars manufactured from 1995 and on, are constructed to use the refrigerant, R-134a. It is crucial to remember that the ac recharge kits you can purchase yourself, will contain this refrigerant. Cars built before 1995 will need to be retrofit with an AC kit capable of utilizing R-134a. This needs to be done by a mechanic.
To start, when you first notice your car blowing warm air you should purchase a car AC recharge kit. This kit can be purchased from many places. Generally, the kits can range in price from 25.00 to 45.00. Typically you can purchase the kits for an AC recharge from AutoZone, Walmart, Jiffy Lube, etc.
Once you have purchased an AC recharge kit, it is fairly easy to do it yourself in a few steps.
You will need a few tools.
• An AC dispenser with a trigger and a low side gauge
• A meat thermometer
• Refrigerant (12-28 oz depending on your car)
• Gloves and safety glasses
After you have gathered all your supplies you are ready to begin recharging your car’s AC.
- Start your car and turn up the AC to the max
- Determine if the compressor is working properly (look for the pulleys moving at the end of the clutch)
- Test the pressure by turning the car off and finding the low side pressure port.
- Attach the recharge hose to the port. You will need to press down firmly until it clicks into place.
- Start your car again and watch the gauge. A fully charged AC will be about 40 psi.
- Attach the recharge can to the hose by threading it on. Squeeze the can in 5-10 second bursts and monitor the gauge.
- Once you are at 40 psi, take the thermometer inside the car and place it in the driver side vent. A fully charged AC will be about 28 degrees.
Now you have charged your AC. Great! But let’s take a closer look at why your car’s AC needed to be recharged.
Since refrigerant cannot evaporate, if it is low in your car that means you have a leak somewhere in your AC system. It may also mean you have a problem with your car’s compressor. Both of these issues will need to be addressed by a trained mechanic.
Many places offer AC repair and charging for your vehicle. You can take your car to almost any AutoZone or Jiffy Lube. The employees at AutoZone will make sure you buy the correct recharge kit for your car and any other accessories you may need to do the job yourself. The cost of having your car’s AC recharged at Jiffy Lube is approximately 200.00. This should cover the cost of parts and labor. The advantage of taking your car to a mechanic is that they will inspect your AC system for any leaks or bigger issues, such as with the compressor.
Taking your car to an auto shop may be more expensive than recharging the AC by yourself, but they will inspect for cracks, leaks, and any other damage. If your compressor needs to be fixed or replaced, then you can expect the visit to cost a bit more. The compressor is the most important part of your car’s AC system.
If you are comfortable working on your car, you can change the compressor yourself with some time and the proper tools.
• Sockets and wrenches
• Refrigerant
• Serpentine belt tensioner tool
• Recovery machine for refrigerant
• Hoses, gauge, and thermometer
• Vacuum pump
• Receiver dryer
• New compressor
Now you are ready to change the compressor and recharge the AC after compressor replacement.
- Locate and remove the serpentine belt from the compressor
- Use the recovery machine to collect the refrigerant
- Remove the negative battery cable from the post
- Remove the bolt from the compressor that attaches the lines
- Disconnect the electrical parts of the compressor
- Remove the mounting bolts and remove the compressor from the car
- Put the new compressor in, and install it following the directions in reverse order
- Replace and tighten the mounting bolts
- Reattach the electrical components
- Reinstall the refrigerant lines and replace the belt
- Use the vacuum to remove any moisture left in the compressor using pumps and gauges
- Let the pump run for about 30 minutes and close the valve. You should see the mercury read 28-29. Anything less than this is a serious leak.
- Now you need to recharge the AC. Reconnect the battery and the yellow hose to the refrigerant. Turn the can over so that the refrigerant can flow into the compressor. Start your car and use the thermometer to see when the temperature is about 30 degrees.
Points to Remember
If your car’s AC is not blowing cold, you need to find out why. It can be recharged, but it probably has a leak somewhere and should be checked by a mechanic. Remember, refrigerant does not evaporate so if your car is running low there is a leak somewhere or maybe a problem with your compressor.
If your car was manufactured before 1995, it uses a different type of refrigerant. Cars manufactured after 1995 use R-134a. You will need to have a mechanic retrofit your car’s AC system so that it can take the newer refrigerant.
If you want to buy a car AC recharge kit, you can from many places. You can purchase this kit at stores like AutoZone or Walmart. The kit will cost between 25.00-45.00 depending on where you buy it. Stores like AutoZone will also be able t recommend other tools you will need to do the job yourself.
If you prefer to have a mechanic recharge your car’s AC, a place like Jiffy Lube is where to go. The mechanic there will not just recharge the AC, but inspect all the components of the AC system to check for leaks and cracks. This service will cost approximately 200.00, including labor.
Car maintenance is a vital tool in keeping your car running well and lasting for years.