How to Recharge the Air Conditioner in a Car Do-it-to-yourself auto air conditioning recharging requires eye protection,a charging kit,refrigerant,and some practical knowledge. Keep in mind,if you do not have the manufacturer's specifications and a charging manifold with gauges,you will not be able to do a professional job OBD Tool,but many people successfully recharge their AC with kits available at department stores and auto parts retailers. Try to get a kit that includes a pressure gauge,this will make troubleshooting and charging easier. Here is a guide to how it is done. Steps 1. Determine if you have any refrigerant left in your system at all. To do this,you will need to fit a charging hose on the low pressure port,discussed later. Be sure to use eye protection. If your system is completely discharged,it may be contaminated with moisture,and charging will not give satisfactory results unless the source of the leak is found OBD2 Scanner,repaired and the receiver dryer replaced. The open system must be repaired and purged using a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture. You will also want to add compressor oil if the system has been leaking. Evidence of oil leakage and measurement of oil left in a replaced compressor will be a guide as to how much oil to replace. 2. Check for any obvious leaks. If your system has lost sufficient refrigerant to quit working,you have a leak. Small leaks may take months to deplete the refrigerant so that the AC fails to cool,but charging a system with a significant leak is simply a waste of time. Look for refrigerant oil residue on hose,tubing,and fittings that are part of the refrigerant system. Spray a soapy water solution on fittings and watch for bubbles to appear,indicating a leak. 3. Make sure the condensing coils are not obstructed with debris,and that the compressor is operating. This often takes anywhere from two to five minutes. The hotter the outside temperature,the more quickly the contents will discharge. Keep the can with the tap up at all times,to allow non-liquid refrigerant into the suction side of the system to prevent compressor damage. Do Not overcharge! A manifold gauge should be used to measure both high and low side pressure. Consult a Pressure temperature chart. 11. Close the valve and disconnect the hose when the can is empty or no longer discharging enough to keep the can cold. Check the charging port for leaks,and replace the plastic cap. 12. Check the air from the AC vents in the car. It should be blowing cold (38-45 degrees),if not,either one can of refrigerant was not sufficient to charge the system,or some other component is the problem. Do Not overcharge! A manifold gauge should be used to measure both high and low side pressure. Consult a Pressure temperature chart.
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