Hi, I have done R12 Freon recharges on a 91 Toyota MR2 and its really easy (and cheap if you can buy the R12 across the border) but how do you do this with the R134 they use on the 2000 RX??

I saw the cans sell for $5 a pound, I am guessing I need 3 pounds? Can I use the same gauge and hose from the R12 kit??

Sorry its just HOT here in San Diego this week!

 

Hello,
First of all, are you sure you need a recharge? If you have lost most or all of your refrigerant, then you have a leak, and that must be addresses and repaired. If it is a performance issue, that must be diagnosed.

Toyota/Lexus cars have an accumulator with a "sight glass" to view the liquid coming out of the condenser up front. Start the engine, turn on the A/C, and if it runs, look at the small sight glass while at idle. If you see bubbles there, it is probably low...but there is a REASON. Since all refrigerant mixes with compressor oil in the system, any visible external leaks will have traces of oil at the site. Long term leaks will have attracted dirt to that site, so look for dirt and grime congregated on A/C lines in a specific area. If everywhere else is fairly clean, the dirty spot is a possible leak area.

If you don't have tools to detect leaks (electronic leak detector) they are fairly inexpensive. Once you find a leak, all of the old refrigerant will have to come out long enough ot do the repair. This must be recovered and not let out into the atmosphere. All of this takes specialized equipment

If you insist on adding refrigerant as a top up, cans are available at any automotive parts store. You will also need a small length of special R-134A refrigerant charging hose, which is generally in the same area. Attach the fitting and hose to the can and look for the spot to add it to the car.

As I said in another post...if you have R-134A, the fittings will be different from the low side to the high side. The low side (suction) side of the system will be cool or cold to the touch while running, and have a larger line, while the high side will be hot to the touch, and the line will be smaller. It is impossible to put the large fitting from the can onto a small fitting on the high side.

Start the car, turn A/C on, and feel around the A/C hoses until you find a cold line. Trace that line back to the compressor, and there should be a fitting with a screw on cap attached. Remove that cap and the fitting will be visible. The hose fitting is a "quick disconnect", (meaning the it slides over the hose, and locks in place when you release the fitting).

Attach the line to the car, and turn on the valve to let gas in. Do not invert the can, as that would introduce liquid into the system. That is a bad thing to do on the low side. Only add GAS. When the bubbles disappear, and the cold line starts dripping a bit of moisture, it is full,

If it is overcharged excessive pressures will develop, and you will have other troubles. It is easy to overcharge the system. Be sure to diagnose itproperly before adding additional refrigerant.

Just remember that continually adding refrigerant without finding the source of the leak is wasteful, and unlawful. If all else fails, consult a reputable specialist. I just noticed that you are in San Diego. If you would like to chat with me off line, PM me and I can give you a few more tips.

Thanks

GSEREP1