Freon Won't Come Out of Can
 

I have a 2012 Chevy. Hooked up the A/C Gauge to the low side port, checked the pressure and it was low. Hooked the refrigerant can (R-134) to the gauge and nothing will come out of the can. Compressor comes on OK but nothing is getting sucked out of the can. Can't hear anything coming out of the can. ????

Did you open the low side valve?

If it's not what's posted above, in my experience, sometimes certain cans/cars take a really long time for whatever reason. Last time I did it on my DD it took me about 30 minutes to empty 3/4 of a single can. I thought it wasn't even coming out of the can.

In my weak experience R134 systems need a full gauge setup to fill correctly. I bought the cheap set from Harbor freight, tuned out both my cars were over charged, (Jeep and BMW)

I use a recycled R134 tank I bought for 5 bucks at a local shop, I set the gauge valves to dump the high side to the tank then I set it to fill and get the low and high side to the correct operating pressure. I also cut the hose off a stand lone refill can to make an adapter to allow the little can to connect to the commercial connector on the gauge set. So I buy my R134 form a n auto parts store and plan over pressure t the used can when I need to empty a system.

The margin between good and over on 134 on my BMW is < 8 lbs on the high side.. And you need to check pressure at both Idle and 3500 ish rpm..

YMMV!

You have to puncture the can first. I recommend a 1/4" drill bit.

What happened to the moderators? These bot posts are annoying, but not as annoying as the lazy mods around here.

The can valve should have a needle which needs to
screw down far enough to puncture the can top,
then back out enough to let fluid (or gas) flow.

A bucket of hot tap water helps a lot if you want to
fill with vapor. Inverted will give you liquid but you
need to be careful not to slug the compressor. I
make sure the sight glass on the gauge manifold
doesn't get past about halfway with liquid. But if
you aren't confident, stick with vapor fill and keep
the can about room temp by sloshing its butt around
in the hot water.

this definitely helps

Yes, as was posted above, warm (hot) water in a pan with the freon can upright sitting in the water. Do not flip the freon can upside down and let liquid refrigerant into the low side. It will slug the compressor and damage the system. Also NEVER go near a full can of freon with a drill bit please... lol!

Lol yea go ahead use a 1/4 inch drill bit to puncture the can haha. Thats going to turn bad real fast.

Maybe the contents are frozen?

Chad