wsrivers

As some of you know....I got this 94 ES300 and after a lot of work it seems to be coming along. Problem I'm looking at right now is the A/C. Purchased a heater core because I tried to fire up the defroster an got nothing. So I attempted to turn on the air and I hear the blower/fan but no cold air. A friend of mine said to grab a couple cans of freon and give that a try. Not sure if because the A/C hadn't been used for so long would that mean that there'd be a leak. As far as I know (I might be wrong) it's a closed system and the refrigerant should be in the system unless there's a leak somewhere. Should I just try and put some freon in or take it to get looked at. Any assistance that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

nsghtbrwry

Well, theoretically yeah, it's a closed system. In reality, the system will leak a bit of refrigerant every year. Case in point, a family member's '95 Camry was cooling badly, and I topped it up and it's back. Injected dye, no leaks...just leaked out over 23 years.

Check to see if the compressor clutch is turning when you turn on the A/C. If it isn't, you can try one of those A/C-in-a-can things to first check low-side pressure (Google for an R134a pressure chart to see where it should be). If the pressure is lower than it should be, you can fill it up. If the clutch still doesn't engage when pressure is up to snuff, then you need to troubleshoot the compressor, clutch, pressure switch, wiring, etc.

I doubt these exist, but you should try to get a can that does NOT come with leak sealer...that stuff will hinder attempts to find a leak with dye (finding one that has dye is good), and if you do get it evacuated to properly repair and recharge, the shop doing the recovery will get pissed off because it ruins their expensive machines.

Oh, and one other thing I learned recently: those A/C-in-a-can things were designed for the older Detroit-style accumulator systems, and tend to overcharge our more modern, expansion valve-style systems. Just be careful, if you overcharged (like I did on the '95), when the compressor cycles off you will hear moaning or a loud MWOOOOP from the expansion valve.

wsrivers

Thanks nsghtbrwry so since I'm no mechanic my best bet to get it done correctly would be to take it to a shop to get done?

nsghtbrwry

I mean, other than trying the A/C-in-a-can stuff, yeah. I'd listen to your friend, should be about $40 for a can with filler/gauge from AutoZone or equivalent.

Unless you want to get a vacuum pump, manifold gauge set (both rentable for free from AutoZone).