help w/ recharging A/C please?
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Teching In
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From: Fort Walton Beach, FL
help w/ recharging A/C please? I've never done anywork w/ the A/C and can't figure out where to hook up the R-134a recharge service kit 
Maybe its the heat? 
Anyways, I know that metal cannister thing is the accumulator, I know where the a/c compressor is, but I can't find where the low-side service port is to hook up the recharge kit hose!!
Can anyone point me in the right direction, please? I've searched and read a lot, but haven't been able to figure it out
TIA
Maybe its the heat? Anyways, I know that metal cannister thing is the accumulator, I know where the a/c compressor is, but I can't find where the low-side service port is to hook up the recharge kit hose!!
Can anyone point me in the right direction, please? I've searched and read a lot, but haven't been able to figure it out
TIA
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Ok, well I found out that the coupling for the recharge kit fits on the connection on the silver canister. I hooked everything up, started the car, ran the a/c, and tried to use the R-134a can to fill it up.
PSI was about 40lbs, and the pressure from the can didn't seem like it was going into the system. Its wierd because my a/c is colder now, but I don't even know if any R-134a from the can went into the system throught the silver canister (when I disconnected, there was a bunch left in the can that escaped).
any help/advice?
PSI was about 40lbs, and the pressure from the can didn't seem like it was going into the system. Its wierd because my a/c is colder now, but I don't even know if any R-134a from the can went into the system throught the silver canister (when I disconnected, there was a bunch left in the can that escaped).
any help/advice?
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First, you really need a "real" Ac manifold gauge, and a vacuum pump and then you can fix your leak or whatever is wrong.You can never have enough tools.
With that said, make sure that the compressor is on/working when you charge the system because it needs to suck the Freon in.
Hook up gauge "kit" to the low or suction side.
Start engine.
Set A/C on high.
It should charge up.
You know you are close to a proper charge when the accumulator has condensation on it. Rev it up a little it will help speed up the process. Remember low side cold, high side hot.
A little tip...invert the can and dump as much liquid in as you can you won't hurt the compressor, and you can also put the can in hot water to speed up the process.
Man, you really need some good gauges because both the high side and low side readings are important. It is hard to diagnose without proper readings
Also, google around about air conditioning systems.
Hint.. Read about cycling clutch orifice tube systems and Expansion valve systems.
With that said, make sure that the compressor is on/working when you charge the system because it needs to suck the Freon in.
Hook up gauge "kit" to the low or suction side.
Start engine.
Set A/C on high.
It should charge up.
You know you are close to a proper charge when the accumulator has condensation on it. Rev it up a little it will help speed up the process. Remember low side cold, high side hot.
A little tip...invert the can and dump as much liquid in as you can you won't hurt the compressor, and you can also put the can in hot water to speed up the process.
Man, you really need some good gauges because both the high side and low side readings are important. It is hard to diagnose without proper readings
Also, google around about air conditioning systems.
Hint.. Read about cycling clutch orifice tube systems and Expansion valve systems.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Fort Walton Beach, FL
wow, looks like I have a lot of reading to do. Thanks for the info, though.
I don't think I have a leak, its just been a few years since the a/c was worked on/serviced. I'm pretty sure it was just weak/low on freon because the air was cool, but not really cold. It wasn't blowing hot air.
My one important ? is where exactly is the "low or suction side". Is the connection on the accumulator the right place to connect the recharge kit? When I hooked the kit and can of R-134a up to it and attempted to recharge, the accumulator did build up condensation on it.
I don't think I have a leak, its just been a few years since the a/c was worked on/serviced. I'm pretty sure it was just weak/low on freon because the air was cool, but not really cold. It wasn't blowing hot air.
My one important ? is where exactly is the "low or suction side". Is the connection on the accumulator the right place to connect the recharge kit? When I hooked the kit and can of R-134a up to it and attempted to recharge, the accumulator did build up condensation on it.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
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Originally Posted by danalo
wow, looks like I have a lot of reading to do. Thanks for the info, though.
I don't think I have a leak, its just been a few years since the a/c was worked on/serviced. I'm pretty sure it was just weak/low on freon because the air was cool, but not really cold. It wasn't blowing hot air.
My one important ? is where exactly is the "low or suction side". Is the connection on the accumulator the right place to connect the recharge kit? When I hooked the kit and can of R-134a up to it and attempted to recharge, the accumulator did build up condensation on it.
I don't think I have a leak, its just been a few years since the a/c was worked on/serviced. I'm pretty sure it was just weak/low on freon because the air was cool, but not really cold. It wasn't blowing hot air.
My one important ? is where exactly is the "low or suction side". Is the connection on the accumulator the right place to connect the recharge kit? When I hooked the kit and can of R-134a up to it and attempted to recharge, the accumulator did build up condensation on it.
you're hooked up right.You can get pretty close to a proper charge just looking. condensation= good, frost= bad, means low charge. And remember R-134a (Freon) doesn't wear out, it leaks out.
Don't over charge, and get some tools.
Read some and it will all be clear. 
