AC Pro Easy Job

Well, my 2006 Tacoma was blowing warm air and the two days of 90 degree heat, made me start thinking about having the AC recharged.

After doing some research in this forum and google searches, I found AC Pro Recharging Kit with a video.

Of to Auto Zone and they had that brand with the hose and pressure gauge, for $45

Followed the instructions and in 15 minutes, my AC is blowing cold air, good as new.

The gauge lets you know if your system has a leak and if the clutch isn't engaging.

Also, next vehicle that needs it, I already have the hose and pressure gauge so I can just by the can alone.

So, I saved well over $125 by doing it myself, plus any lies the auto-mechanic would attempt to sucker me on.

Jim

 

So what was the problem? Ac system must have freon leak since it just doesn "disappear" since it's a closed system. Sounds like a temporary fix. Long term, not so sure since I always thought the system had to be vacuumed out, but what do I know.

 

Worth it if it's just a tiny leak and the recharge is good for a few years.

I just paid $ 1200 to have the compressor and all associated parts replaced on my wife's 2007 crv

 

Could be a small leak, which hopefully AC Pro will seal it up, as it states on the can.

Since my retirement, I drive my truck once a week if that. So, my guess is that during the winter, a seal leaked somewhere and lost freon.

Anyway, the pressure gauge showed that it's holding pressure, so if it gets me through the summer at least, I'm ahead of the game.

Jim

 

The "top it off" approach works for a period of time. How long? Who knows? If the system is leaking, you not only lose refrigerant; you also lose oil. Lose enough of the latter and you lose the compressor.

 

... loose the compressor then you are replacing the entire system.

 

It's most likely a small leak so unless you stared at that inaccurate gauge for 3-4 months I doubt you'll notice a leak.

Was the system completely empty before you filled it? If so, there is likely air/moisture in the system which will be detrimental to the compressor in the long run.

It's an easy, cheap fix, but as the saying goes..you get what you pay for.

 

Well, I bought a refill can of AC Pro, being I already have the connector with the pressure gauge.

I was suspicious that the can didn't have the safety cap on it.

Sure enough, worked my ass off trying to get it to release pressure into the hose.

When I was just about ready to give up, I noticed that the seal inside wasn't seated properly.

I little fiddling with a screw driver, and I got it to work.

The only thing is, I had to hold the canister upside down. rather than right side up as the instructions state.

I'm won't be buying products at the auto parts store again. Should've known better when there was a line five deep
and only one person who took his sweat time at the cash register.

Anyway, the AC works fine now.

Jim

 

did you pull a vacuum on the system before recharging? If not, you can't get the system to work.

 

paid $300 for a leak test and refill. knew I could recharge on my own but didn't want to waste the time and money if it would leak out within a year. It blows about 35 degrees on full now.

 

you would know if you used a vacuum pump and pulled a vacuum on the system.
The procedure is to pull a 29mmHg vacuum and hold it for 45 minutes.

This dries the system and tests for leaks.

 

Well after it worked, the next day it didn't

I had a mechanic look at it. He purged the system, then added dye and recharged the system. Cost me $80. Better to have him do it from now on. It's nice and cool now.

Black fly season here with no garage makes working outside impossible for a person of my age and character.

Jim

 

Quick fix in a can, how long will it last no one can know..

I just went to my buddies who had a set of a/c, the vacuum pump I picked up on Amazon, and a couple cans of just freon. Pull a vacuum on the system, wait and see if it leaks down, then refill with the correct amount of refrigerant. Took me an hour.

 

Stay the fuck away from those suicide cans, you are adding to a system and you have no idea how much is in the system, that pressure gauge is useless unless you know what you are looking for. Pressures can vary based on the ambient air temperature. On a 50 degree day with a fully charged system the low side can be as low as 20 psi, on a scorching hot 115 degree day the low side can be touching 45 psi. Those fill it yourself cans do more harm than good. Go get it professionally evacuated, leak tested and recharged

 

A manifold, gauges, and hose set from HF costs about $50. I've used it half a dozen times across four vehicles and it's paid for itself many times over. A vacuum pump from HF is about $90. For the cost of a shop to do the work, you can have both.

 

Ignore this post. Mindless ranting here.

 

This..... unless you don’t give a shit, these cans will end up costing you more in the end

 

So I paid my mechanic to purge the system, then charge it and it cost me $80.

One can of AC Pro was $30 and I spent two hours trying to charge the system, because the can was defective.

Yeah, next time it goes to the mechanic.


Jim

 

I dunno I had a 2008 Dodge Nitro that stopped blowing cold air one summer in Puerto Rico. Hit it with one of those cans from Autozone and it worked for a solid two years after that, using the A/C every day until I sold it. I won't admit that I have any idea how the A/C system works but it fixed whatever the issue was.

 

I have a 2000 F-150 and charged the system using ez-chill brand back in 06 then again in 15 and all is good on mine.