GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I feel my AC isn't getting as cold as it use to, and the previous owner never got it recharge so I'm pretty sure by now, the R-134a is a bit empty in my system. Has anyone ever tried the A/C recharging kit from walmart/autozone/etc? They're only $25 or so.

Any input would be great. thanks!
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1999 Lexus GS400
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tonysofly

watch out, unless you know what you are doing. those recharge kits are pretty basic stuff. you need to know how much pressure is already in your system, if you put too much freon in there, it will blow hot as well. If you don't really know what you are doing, i'd say pay a lil extra for a professional to do it.

Bill_GS3

Those kits are only an oil charge. You must be certified to work on A/C systems, 134a and R12.

You may have a freon level problem but there could be more too, your condensor may be blocked so the system does not disipate the heat fully, fans not running properly. Maybe even a blockage in the evaporator.

That is one area I would not classify as a DIY.

-Bill

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I'm mechanically inclined so doing these A/C stuff isn't rocket scientist to me. Its just whether the kit works or not is my concern.

My condensor is free from debris. I'm pretty sure I've ran out of refrigerant because the previous owner used the AC basically everyday. I'm starting to use it everyday too to beat the heat

I'll just call around. If a shop can do it for aroudn that price, I might as well let them do it.

thanks for the response guys!

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PHML

iTrader: (33)

First off...put your sig in the sig section....not in the body of your post.

Regarding re-filling a/c....easy job...just read the directions on those kits from Walmart. I did mines about 2 months ago.....before filling....use the gauge....find out where you're at.....if you need filling at all....mines was on the lower green section (OK).....so I filled it up with one of those half cans....when finished....it was still on the green section....but more closer to the yellow section (Warning).....i thought this was still ok since it was blowing cold...afterall...its still in the green section, right?

Well, after driving it a few weeks later (I drive a beater daily...so the GS only sees pavement on weekends).....it was blowing warm....when I got home that same day....I checked with the gauge again...and it was still on green (OK) section....but more towards the yellow (Warning) section than before.......so I released some R134a....initially...only air came out of the system....then I grabbed a rag cuz liquid R134a started to come out.....do this until it was around the middle of the green section....I guess I accidentally overfilled a bit.....blows very cold now....no problems since.

If you are DIYer....then this should be easy....stay around the middle of green (OK) section...and you will be fine....double check in a few days to see if you still in middle of green section.

Hope this helps.

Pete

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

thanks for the info! Turns out, a buddy of mine has hookups that costs $20 to refill by a mechanic. I guess I'll take it to the shop instead. Why leave the risk to me when someone else can sniff the stuff. jk


btw, that's my artificial sig because admin took my sig away. I have to copy and paste everytime. There is no rules that I know of that prevents me from doing so. Most people pass it on as my sig anyways, so there is no harm being done

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ntran18

iTrader: (27)

I just added a can to the SC this past weekend. It was pretty simple. You are just topping off the system and not really "handling" refridgerant.

ebruce2

iTrader: (1)

Pete, how did you purge your system to let some of the R134a out? I tried one of these kits on my Cherokee yesterday, and it is blowing hot. I think I may have gotten too close to the warning line.