Recommend A/C refill kit for a small car?

[dleonard1122]

My girlfriend is complaining that her A/C is not as cold as it used to be. I figure it just needs a refill of freon. Can someone recommend me a good kit to do this?

 

[DanCo]

In my store the best seller is from AC Pro. ACP100, has the freon/ pag 100 oil and a leak stopper additive. Comes in a black can with a reusable gauge and long hose.

Dan

 

[joebiodiesel]

Whatever you get, make sure it doesn't have sealer in it. Oil is good, with dye is even better, but sealer is a problem. If you have it in your system no shop will ever touch it because it messes up their reclaimers. The sealer doesn't do much anyway. If you have a leak, it is pretty doubtful that the sealer will fix it anyway.
If you don't have a set of gauges, it is nice to get the kit that has a low side gauge on it.

Joe

 

[srmofo]

R134 Is R134.

TheSealer Will Also Clog Evaporator And condenser. Read The Can And Then Read It Again.

Also Over Filling The System Will Cause Poor Performance.

 

[dleonard1122]

So I've been reading up and, the general consensus is that usually there is a problem that causes the refrigerant to leave the system, like a leak, and a recharge kit probably isnt my solution. Off the top of you head's can you guesstimate what I would be looking at to take the car to a shop and have it fixed professionally?

 

[theoldwizard1]

The shop should first charge you for a "refill" service, around $50. They temporarily remove what refrigerant is in the system and then pull a vacuum and see if it will hold (usually for about 15-30 minutes) If it does they replace the refrigerant that they removed an add additional at refrigerant at about $30/lb.

If there is a leak, it could get expensive. Quick look at common parts.

Probably the most expensive part is the compressor, but it usually does not fail. Common failures are the condenser or one of the hoses. Figure $50-$200 in parts.

The shop that serviced mine ($350, including 2 custom made hoses and 4 lbs of refrigerant), installed dye and told me to stop back in a couple of weeks and they would double check the system. If it was leaking the dye would show them where.

 

[pop pop]

So I've been reading up and, the general consensus is that usually there is a problem that causes the refrigerant to leave the system, like a leak, and a recharge kit probably isnt my solution. Off the top of you head's can you guesstimate what I would be looking at to take the car to a shop and have it fixed professionally?

For some reason, of all the DIY tasks, AC work attracts the most and is the least likely to have DIY success. Take it to an experienced pro. It will cost you less and give you the best outcome.

There is no one reason AC doesn't perform correctly and therefor no one kit that will repair this magic problem. These systems are complicated and require proper tools and knowledge to diagnose, much less repair properly.
There is also a HUGE safety problem as you are dealing with extremely high pressure liquid/gas systems. These are likely computer controlled. The old days of simple R-12 systems containing only a compressor, evaporator, condenser, expansion valve or tube, and a simple switch are gone.

 

[dclassical]

If you are willing to read up on A/C systems and buy the tools needed for the job, you can easily do it yourself.

The initial investment can be high, but I know I am glad I did it years ago. I bought gauges, R134 (back then 30 lbs at $78!), an electronic sniffer and a vacuum pump.

My system did not need evacuation since nothing was left but I had a friend who could have done that for me (he borrowed the scale from him, buying one later).

I believe I got the TechOne book and a book on HVAC system and read them, then went on to troubleshooting and fixing (first time was a leaky evaporator).

All in all, between my cars and my friends car it was well worth it.

dC

 

[stephen4785]

Ac systems dont use freon like cars use gas. You shouldnt have to add freon. All ac systems loose a small amount every year but unless your car is over 8 years old you shouldnt loose enough to effect cooling. I do a ton of ac side work and the most common cause of a leak I find are leaking shrader valves. They're cheap and easy to replace but you will need a set of manifold guages and a vacuum pump to replace them. You have to pull a vacuum on the system to get the air out then charge it. Ac work really isnt that difficult but it takes some tools and you have to learn how to do it. The biggest problem for people is understanding the pressure's and system capacities.
DO NOT PUT LEAK SEALERS, BOOSTERS, MAINTAINERS, SUB ZERO, BLAH BLAH BLAH. It's all snake oil and none of it is going to make your system perform any better than plain ac oil and freon. Keep in mind that different car manufactures use different ac oils(pag 46,100, 150).

 

[rsanter]

You said it dosent blow as cold as it use to you did not say it didn't work.
All systems will leak a little through the seals and it should take several years for a small amount to leak out. This is normal.
If the system is still working but as you say not as cold them IMO you just need to add a little more refrigerant. I like to tighten all the joints in the system that I can reach and then add a little more refrigerant to the system. The advice given above is good on what to get but I will recommend against the sealant as well.

Remember you are trying a DIY repair, eventually you will have to have something repaired or resealed but I have worked on several cars that all I did was add a little refrigerant to the system and didn't have to touch it again for 3-4 more years

Bob

 

[absolutelybillsmood]

If its an older car its worth topping it off to see if it helps. I had to add some to my Cavalier a couple years ago its been fine ever since.

 

[03protege]

Even if there is a small leak refilling the freon can last 6 months to a year before need to be recharged again.

It is defiantly a band-aid in most cases but it may be worth it depending on the car value and how long you plan on keeping it.