Question about how adding A/C refrigerant!
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Lexus Test Driver
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From: Chicago, IL
Question about how adding A/C refrigerant!
So my car was recently in the shop for frame straightening and the mechanic there drained out my A/C refrigerant to remove the radiator since the A/C lines were in the way. However, he never put it back and my A/C hasn't worked. Today, I went to get an 18 oz can from Autozone and as soon as I got home, I filled it up and the A/C compressor started working again and blew cold air.
But now I got a few questions though.
1) On the can, it mentioned the "ambient" temperatures and the PSI for each. I refilled the A/C when the car was hot after driving. The temp in the engine bay was over 100 but outside, it was like 55. Do I go by the PSI rating for 55 or 100 degrees? I should have done it when the engine was cold but it's done now and I didn't know.
2) How much refrigerant should the car need? They drained it all out. I added a single 18 oz can. The reading I got before was about 5-10 PSI and after one can, it became 45 PSI with the outside temp being 55 and the engine bay at about 100. I heard it's 3-3.5 pounds but I don't want to overfill or still be low even though the A/C works fine now. This is for an '07 IS350.
Thanks!
But now I got a few questions though.
1) On the can, it mentioned the "ambient" temperatures and the PSI for each. I refilled the A/C when the car was hot after driving. The temp in the engine bay was over 100 but outside, it was like 55. Do I go by the PSI rating for 55 or 100 degrees? I should have done it when the engine was cold but it's done now and I didn't know.
2) How much refrigerant should the car need? They drained it all out. I added a single 18 oz can. The reading I got before was about 5-10 PSI and after one can, it became 45 PSI with the outside temp being 55 and the engine bay at about 100. I heard it's 3-3.5 pounds but I don't want to overfill or still be low even though the A/C works fine now. This is for an '07 IS350.
Thanks!
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: vancouver, bc, canada
if i recall correctly, it takes 21oz... 18 should be enough to make it work...
if your AC has been drained, apart and not reassembled, you should get your system put under vacuum to boil off any possible moisture trapped in the lines and receiver/dryer... not doing that may cause damage to the compressor and the expansion valve...
if your AC has been drained, apart and not reassembled, you should get your system put under vacuum to boil off any possible moisture trapped in the lines and receiver/dryer... not doing that may cause damage to the compressor and the expansion valve...
If you don't do as narfy above has suggested, I give your A/C system maybe a year at best... when the system is opened, it is exposed to humid air - the moisture in this humid air will damage the system if it is not removed - moisture, when it condenses, is not compressible and it does not go through the same phase changes as the refrigerant (R134a) does...
take it to a shop, or have someone put it under a vacuum, the closer to 30 inches the better, and for at least 15 minutes, 30 if possible... then refill with refrigerant, make sure you get the correct amount, overfilling it is bad for the system as well...
take it to a shop, or have someone put it under a vacuum, the closer to 30 inches the better, and for at least 15 minutes, 30 if possible... then refill with refrigerant, make sure you get the correct amount, overfilling it is bad for the system as well...
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drvinh
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Jul 13, 2015 12:42 AM
