i have a 98 sc300, with really really weak ac. i live in florida so i wanna get at least ok AC. is the 98 system r12 or 134a? has anyone used the fill cans from autozone to fill r134 into a 2jzge vvti? just wanna know how well it worked and where the fill port is. also if i need one of those fittings or something. any info is helpful! thanks guys

 

your car is r134a.

r12 is not sold anymore and any system that use to use it and needs a refill gets converted to r134a.

cans from any parts store will work fine but a real charge is better. i would recommend you do it properly. when you have a machine do it, it sucks everything out of your system first and creates a vacuum. after that new oil gets added to the system. highly recommended. after that new refrigerant is pumped in.

i would suggest getting it done right the first time. i have used cans before and they work fine if the system is well maintained. since we got the blue-point machine at my job its been great and makes things not only easier but more consistent every time. you have to make sure the amount of refrigerant in the system is right. too little and it wont blow cold. too much and you can damage the compressor. with a machine you set it up for exact amount of refrigerant you need.

 

Thanks. i am going to try the cans because i cant afford a shop to do it. and also the guy i bought the car from said ill need to fill it once a year, so im going to put some of the dye in also so i can see where its leaking.

 

how much does it usually cost for a shop to do it?

mine has been terrible ever since i got the car

 

For the record, my 98 ES was running noticeably warmer so on the way home I just stopped by a local auto parts place, bought a can of R-134A, $20 including the adapter, and 10 minutes later, I had ice cold air... It was really not much more complicated than filling your tires.

 

If it's R134, you can buy one with refill kit with trigger and gauge. It's a little bit more $ but it's good to prevent overloading. Check first make sure it's not R12, check the sticker in the hood. Setup the can in the refill kit, hook up to the low pressure side, start the car - keep in idle, turn on the A/C, press the trigger in the refill kit and watch the gauge, never overfill, turn off the car or A/C then un-hook the refill kit, put the low pressure cap back. Enjoy your summer!!

 

Refrigerant does not go bad. If your A/C is not working then you have a leak. The only way to properly fix it is to refill the system then put in die. Inspect the system and repair anywhere there's a leak and remember its good to replace the Accumulator/Receiver drier any time you open the system because they can be damaged in less than a half hour of being exposed to air. You should be able to have this checked by a shop for about $35-$50. And an evacuate and recharge for around $130. It can get pretty expensive to replace any damaged parts but if you do the repair yourself its not to bad.

It doesn't hurt to check for leaks. Sometimes it can be as easy as some new valve cores on your low or high side valves which are very cheep and as easy to fix as changing a valve core on your wheel.

I hope this helps velella.