Check out our list of recommended stores in your neighborhood for assistance if you need assistance with this or any other AC recharge or service. Alternatively, AutoZone has all the equipment and refrigerant necessary to service your R-134A or R-12 car if you choose to handle the work on your own.
In This Article...
Why isn’t my car’s air conditioning blowing chilly air?
The requirement for a recharge is the most frequent reason why a car’s air conditioner doesn’t get chilly enough. You can replenish your refrigerant on your own, but scheduling an appointment with a neighborhood reputable auto shop will save you time and ensure the service is done correctly.
How can you tell if your automobile needs freon?
- Warm Air is Blowing from Your AC. If the air coming from your air conditioner is warm or at room temperature, this is one of the most clear signs that you have low Freon levels.
- When the A/C clutch engages, pay attention.
- Leaks of Visible Refrigerant
- Warm Air is Blowing from Your AC.
How can I determine my car’s freon level?
After that, follow these simple instructions for monitoring your freon level and recharging your air conditioner by adding more freon.
Only freon gas must enter the AC compressor because it can only compress gases and cannot compress liquids. There is oil and liquid refrigerant stored in the accumulator, and some liquid freon may run out of the accumulator through the evaporator coil.
Between the compressor and the evaporator is where you’ll find the low-pressure service port.
Finding it is simple; just look for the largest of the two AC lines. Additionally, the bigger line’s low-pressure service port has a smaller valve than the smaller line’s high-pressure service port. The cap over the low-pressure service port valve frequently has a “L on it.
The quick-connect coupler will only connect to the low-pressure service port if you are using the combo R-134A with recharger hose and gauge kit from the list of items above. This makes it simple to avoid errors when recharging your air conditioner.
Start the engine by turning the key. Your fans should be set to the highest air setting. Your air conditioning should be on. If your device has a “Max-AC feature,” enable it as well. Turn on the recirculation feature if your device has one.
Connect the coupler from your recharge kit to the low-pressure service port while the car is still running. Push the coupler into the port after removing the cap from it. When checking your freon level, make sure the freon can is unplugged.
You will take your reading at this moment when pressure is applied. To determine the amount of freon in your air conditioning machine, use the gauge that is attached to the hose.
If the gauge indicates that there is too much freon in your system, it suggests that you need to perform a totally other service that might call for a qualified specialist. If your pre-diagnosis was accurate, you should anticipate the gauge to indicate little or no freon in your system.
Coupler should be disconnected from low-pressure service port. Connect the R-134A freon can to the gauge after giving it a brief shake. The coupler is then reattached to the port in the same manner as before.
Hold the can upright to begin. NEVER tip a can upside down since doing so could result in liquid freon getting into your system. In a gaseous condition, freon must be added.
Squeeze and hold the trigger to release the freon while holding the can upright. Then, start shaking the can up and down. You should shake the can up and down a few times, then rotate your wrist 90 degrees and shake it many times from the upright to the sideways position. Never aim the can downwards; instead, alternate between an upright up and down shaking and a wrist rotation shake.
Release the trigger after about 10 seconds, then hold the can upright to check the gauge. Moving from the LOW zone into the green zone should be the goal for the needle. Repeat step 5’s shaking procedure if the needle is still not quite in the green. Squeeze the trigger once more. Avoid repeating the procedure until the freon level reaches the danger zone. It can be more difficult to remove too much freon from the system, and too little freon can be just as harmful. Your AC compressor may also be harmed by too much freon.
Important Tip: It may take a few minutes for the freon to circulate throughout your complete system and give a reliable gauge reading. It is advised to drive your automobile for a few minutes and then take another reading because this will be more accurate if the needle has moved closer to the green zone.
As soon as you’ve injected enough freon into your air conditioning system, your car should start to produce cooler air. As previously mentioned, it can take a few minutes of driving to get the freon through your entire system. Drive a short distance and observe how the temperature in your AC varies. Your AC will now be recharged if your AC clutch wasn’t triggered earlier. If it wasn’t, you should have heard it click on during the recharge procedure.
Enjoy Your Recharged AC And Keep Cool
As you can see, you can take care of the common problem of not having enough freon in your car’s AC system on your own with a few simple tools that are inexpensive and a small bit of time. Although your AC system may be experiencing a number of problems, this is by far the most frequent problem and simplest cure. Enjoy your newly recharged AC while keeping cool.
How many freon cans does an automobile require?
The average automobile can contain between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant, or roughly 23 12 ounce cans, although larger vehicles and those with rear air conditioning will probably be able to hold more. The system capacity for your particular vehicle can be found in your car manual.
How can you tell if your air conditioner needs more Freon?
Five indications that your air conditioner needs more freon
- The time it takes to cool your house is far longer than it should be.
- The cost of your utility bills has increased.
- Your air vents are not blowing chilly air.
- The refrigerant line has begun to accumulate ice.
- You notice noises coming from your unit that are loud or strange.
Can I self-charge my AC unit?
Don’t. For both environmental and health reasons, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against replenishing Freon or refrigerant on your own. Legally, only EPA-licensed technicians are permitted to recover Freon.