A Toyota Tacoma can use one of two types of freon, or refrigerant, depending on the model year of the car. R12 freon, which is not an environmentally beneficial gas, is generally utilized in vehicles built before 1984. R134a can be found in more contemporary automobiles. Although the recharging procedure is the identical, you should never use R12 in an R134a-only air conditioner. The majority of stores that sell automotive supplies have a large selection of rechargeable kits for both types of freon.
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Step 1
Fill a bucket with warm water. Position the bucket next to the front of the Toyota Tacoma and fill it with a fresh towel. Although this step is optional, you might require a warm cloth later on in the recharge process.
Step 2
By coupling the hose to the freon canister, you may put the recharging kit together. Care must be given when connecting the hose to the top of the canister. The kit’s valve contains a stem that, if turned all the way down, may puncture the seal on the canister, causing the freon to be released too soon.
Step 3
The Tacoma’s hood should be propped open. To the low-side port on the Tacoma, connect the kit’s hose. In the HVAC system, this port will be situated on aluminum tubing. Just above it, there is a high-side port that needs to be ignored. The high-side port cannot accommodate the kit.
Step 6
Put a thermometer in an air vent and crank the Tacoma’s air conditioner to its highest setting. This covers the strongest blowing power setting and the coldest temperature setting. Once the system reaches its coldest temperature, keep an eye on the thermometer and take it out.
Step 8
Put on the gloves and safety goggles. Grab the recharge kit, then lower the canister’s valve. As the freon enters the air-conditioning system, you will hear a sound similar to rushing gas. Periodically close the valve to observe the kit’s gauges. Before adding new charges to the system, give it a moment or two. As a result, the system will be able to stabilize in between charges. You might need to use the heated towel you’ve kept nearby if the freon canister gets cold in your hands.
Step 9
Place your thermometer in an air-conditioning duct, then keep an eye on the system’s temperature. A charged system should reach 40 degrees after charging. All of the aluminum piping will also start to feel cold.
Step 10
Once the system is charged, turn the valve on top of the canister to stop the flow of freon. The Tacoma’s air conditioning system and engine should both be turned off before removing the hose from the low-side port.
Remaining freon should be kept somewhere where the air temperature is steady. Refrain from discharging surplus freon into the atmosphere. This means that the canister should be stored upright and that the hose and gauge should be linked to the canister.
What quantity of Freon can a Toyota Tacoma hold?
- A/C Diagnostic Manifold Gauge Set – Once I was certain the system would maintain pressure, I could test it and charge it with 134a refrigerant using this gauge set.
- A/C Vacuum Pump: The vacuum pump, which functions in conjunction with the manifold, purges the A/C system of all air (and, more crucially, moisture) prior to charging.
- Standalone A/C Vacuum Pump: This pump works well on its own if you don’t have a powerful compressor.
- 2, 12oz cans of 134a A/C refrigerantthis is what chills things off.
- Connects the refrigerant cans to the manifold gauge is the A/C Can Tap for R134A Refrigerant.
Recharging the A/C System
The A/C system on a first-generation Tacoma is said to carry 21.16oz +/- 1.76oz of R134a refrigerant, according to the FSM. As a result, the procedure outlined below calls for utilizing two (12) 12 oz cans of refrigerant (for a total of 24 oz). This basically injects the right amount of refrigerant into the system, despite the fact that the process of transferring the material is likely to lose some of it at least inside the manifold set.
This video does a fantastic job of walking through the most of the phases for a visual representation of the recharging process. I found it helpful to watch the video first, then take the actions listed below.
- Hang the A/C Manifold Gauge first. Make that the hood latch is engaged and that all valves on the red and blue lines’ opposite ends are in the closed position.
- Secure the valves on the lines that travel through the firewall to the high (red) and low (blue) pressure lines. It should be noted that because the fittings are quick connect style and come in various sizes, they will only fit on the corresponding line.
- Pulling a vacuum is started by connecting the vacuum pump to the yellow line.
- Open the high and low pressure valves on the manifold as well as the fast connect fittings’ high and low pressure valves. The fast connect fittings “open” a Schrader valve in the A/C lines by depressing it; be careful not to overdepress the Schrader valve when turning the valves to open.
- To completely remove all air and moisture from the system, run the vacuum pump for at least 30 minutes. Depending on your altitude, the vacuum should be pulling between -25inHg and -30inHg at this moment.
- In order to ensure that the vacuum maintains the specified vacuum, turn off the vacuum pump after 30 minutes and let the system sit for at least another 30 minutes. Any drop in vacuum at this point indicates the presence of a leak in the system, which needs to be fixed before the system can be charged.
- Close the high and low pressure valves on the manifold after maintaining a steady vacuum for 30 minutes, and then disconnect the yellow line from the vacuum pump. After connecting the can tap to the first can of R134a, attach the yellow line to the can tap (which is occasionally supplied with the manifold gauge set).
- Start the truck, set the A/C to the coldest setting, turn the fan to its highest setting, and leave the windows open. Have a helper maintain 1500 RPM for the engine.
- Open the low side valve on the manifold, which is often blue and on the left. Make sure the high side valve is closed (red).
- To start the flow of 134a refrigerant into the system, screw in the top of the can tap until it pierces the can’s seal. Then, release the can tap. Rotate the can frequently from 12- to 6-o’clock while the refrigerant is flowing to help with the transfer of gas and liquid. The can will become quite cold during this process, so take note.
- Close the low side (blue) valve and ensure sure the can tap is fully backed out of the R134a can once the can has been entirely emptied. Screw in the second 12 oz. can of refrigerant after removing the empty can from the tap. Refrigerant must be injected into the system once more using the second container of refrigerant. (Phase 9 and Step 10)
- Close both the low side (blue) and high side (red) valves on the manifold once all the refrigerant has been moved out of the second can. To seal and separate the R134a can from the system, fully insert the can tap into the now-empty R134a can.
- Cut the engine off.
- Slowly open the high side (red) valve on the manifold gauge to equalize pressure on the high and low sides of the system. By doing this, you can push some of the refrigerant that is now in the manifold lines into the system.
- Close the high side (red) valve on the manifold gauge as soon as the system is balanced. Additionally, close the two quick connect valves before disconnecting them from the lines going through the firewall. Refrigerant may leak slightly during removal; be prepared by donning gloves and safety eyewear.
- Finally, slowly open each valve to let the pressure in the manifold gauge drop. Once more, some refrigerant will leak; be prepared by donning gloves and safety goggles.
You’re done with it, then! Put the finishing touches on the truck’s remaining unfinished items, then slap yourself on the back for a job well done. With the necessary tools in hand now, was it really that difficult?
Can I self-recharge my AC unit?
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.
R-22 in particular from earlier Freon formulations is no longer in use, but it is readily accessible online. Only older A/C units use these older formulas, but if you lack the proper knowledge, you risk using the incorrect one.
Any activity involving A/C Freon must be documented and submitted to the EPA so they can keep track of it. To avoid environmental release, all Freon must be adequately recovered and recycled. For these purposes, the EPA has approved particular equipment.
Will AutoZone re-charge your automobile using Freon?
If the system has been overcharged, it is best to have the car serviced so that the system may be properly evacuated by an AC machine and then serviced to the proper level. 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.
Do AutoZone air conditioners require recharging?
Most of the time, this may be resolved by using a trusted stop leak additive to halt any leaks. Visit AutoZone for an AC recharge when the time comes. Along with other things, we sell R134a refrigerant, PAG46 oil, AC stop leak, and AC system cleanser.
How can you tell when your AC needs to be recharged?
- Despite constantly running, your air conditioner doesn’t cool your house.
- Warm air is escaping through vents.
- Electricity costs have increased from previously.
- Ice has accumulated on the refrigerant line.
- sound coming from the refrigerant line that hisses or bubbles
Air conditioner is always running but it doesn’t cool your home
The heat in your air is absorbed by R-22 refrigerant. Your air conditioner can’t remove enough heat from the air to keep it cool if there isn’t enough of it. If your air conditioner runs continuously but the air never seems to cool off, you may not have enough R-22.
Electric bills are higher than before
Your electric bill will likely change if your air conditioner is operating continuously, or at least more frequently than it should. It could be a clue that your air conditioner needs freon if you notice a rise in your bill that is significantly more expensive than the regular leap you experience during hot weather.
Vents are blowing warm air
Your air conditioner cannot remove heat from the air if there is not enough refrigerant in the system. As a result, air that may even be too heated will be blowing out of your vents. You might even notice that your vents are pumping out less air.
There is a buildup of ice on refrigerant line
You may be low on freon if you check your air conditioner or outdoor central air unit with the fan and notice frost forming on the refrigerant line.
The evaporator coil gets too cold when your air conditioner runs out of freon, which causes the cold liquid refrigerant to flow back into the refrigerant line. As a result, the nearby moisture on the refrigerant line will begin to freeze. You need freon if this is the case.
If you do not have this problem fixed, freon could leak into the compressor unit. If this occurs, your compressor could be damaged or destroyed, resulting in an even more costly issue. You could even have to replace the AC system as a whole.
A hissing or bubbling sound from the refrigerant line
You must have a leak in the refrigerant line if your freon levels are low. The sound of freon pouring out of the line, which can sound like a hiss or possibly a bubbling sound, may be audible if there is a leak.
What to do next
We advise you to contact a reputable air conditioning repair business. Not only will you need more freon, but you’ll also need to fix the leak that started the problem in the first place. If not, you will soon encounter the same issue once more. Freon is expensive, so you won’t want to squander it or put your appliance at risk.
Need help with your air conditioning?
AccuMax offers air conditioning repair services so that you can restart your air conditioner as quickly as possible.
AccuMax Inc. is a full-service HVAC heating and cooling company that offers furnaces, air conditioners, and central air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance. We are based in Aurora, Illinois, and provide services to a number of western suburbs, including Hinsdale, Naperville, Oswego, Batavia, Wheaton, North Aurora, Lombard, Downers Grove, Warrenville, Darien, Westmont, Willowbrook, Clarendon Hills, Westchester, LaGrange, Willow Springs, and others.
How can I refuel my car’s R134a air conditioner?
To replenish or top off the refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system, turn on the engine, set the air conditioner to the coldest setting, and open the doors to prevent the air conditioner from shutting off when it gets cool inside the car. Let the engine and AC system run for about five minutes before adding refrigerant.
Toyota uses 1234yf, right?
Global desire for a more environmentally friendly and sustainable refrigerant has been sparked by environmental concerns. As R134a will be completely phased out by 2021, the 1234yf productalso known as HFO-1234yf and Rwas created to replace it. As a result, you’re likely to see more and more of it being used. R134a has been completely outlawed in a number of nations, and U.S. regulations are headed in that direction as well. If you run a vehicle repair shop, you’ve probably noticed a rise in the use of 1234yf in a/c systems.
According to Honeywell’s June 2018 Auto Refrigerant Update, 30 million automobiles will employ HFO-1234yf by the end of this year, with approximately 50% of all new models being produced in 2018. According to estimates, 1234yf is used by GM, BMW, Fiat, Land Rover, and Jaguar at a rate of over 95%; Ford, Honda, and Volkswagon at a rate of over 70%; Toyota, Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia at a rate of over 25%; and Nissan, Mercedes, Mazda, and Volvo at a rate of barely any conversions in their new models.
Refrigerant Depot delivered a sizable contract purchase to one of the manufacturers in 2018 who presently has 0% of its models using the yf gas, so you shouldn’t assume that they won’t continue in that direction in 2019. Change will undoubtedly occur, so if our technicians and service centers haven’t done so already, we advise them to do so.
Although the pipes, hoses, and sealing rings used in the systems for each refrigerant are similar, HFO-1234yf requires extra safety measures since it is significantly more combustible. Technicians should use the same caution they would while working with flammable fuel systems if they are not using modern RRR machines or a specialist recovery machine for the 1234yf refrigerant. The Honeywell HFO-1234yf and R-1234yf are the identical product; the only difference is that we sell the Honeywell HFO-1234yf in either 10 or 25 lb cylinders and the R-1234yf in 8 oz cans.