Recharging Your Auto Air Conditioning

Recharging Your Auto Air Conditioning

It's one of those things that an alert handyman can usually save bit of dough on -- recharging the car's automotive air conditioning unit. It isn't as complicated as repairing the compressor, replacing an expansion valve or a condenser -- but if you have just done any of these tasks you'll need to recharge the system. If this is the first time you'll be doing the task, we have some tips and tricks to make it easier for you at DiscountAutoAC-CompressorParts.com.

Do you really need to?

The first thing you need to do is be sure that your system needs recharging. The gas in your auto AC doesn't just run out of oomph. It either leaks out through a compromised part of the system, or has to be purged when a part is repaired or replaced. If you are sure that your refrigerant is the reason your auto air conditioner isn’t blowing cold any more, then fix any leaks before you recharge! Otherwise you'll be doing it all again before you know it.

Check for leaks

Use a manifold gauge set to check for leaks before you begin recharging.

Do you have the right refrigerant?

Do it all properly -- it can be temping to try the canister of R12 left over from your old Mercedes on your wife's little Toyota, but if the Toyota uses R134A refrigerant, the tips won’t fit, and the oil won’t be suitable. Don’t mix refrigerant, and don't use the wrong refrigerant. Guessing which is supposed to be in the auto AC could give you some nasty cold burns, too -- so take it to a mechanic and save yourself the medical bills!

Replacements for R12

The most important thing that you should know, though, is that it is illegal to recharge your own auto AC with R12. The gas is harmful to the ozone layer and has to be dealt with by a licensed professional. However, you can use products like Freeze 12, which are equivalent to R12 in their use of oil, but are not ozone depleting.

Keep checking pressure

Once the lowside pressure is at around 30 psi, the high side pressure can continue to increase to dangerous levels. Keep watching it to avoid damaging your auto compressor or other AC parts.

Get the entire kit with pressure gauge

Don’t just buy a refill canister -- it makes sense to buy the whole kit, rather than trying to piece the other parts together. You probably won’t have the right size tips floating about, and having a kit with a pressure gauge included is very handy for recharging your auto air conditioning.