DIY AC Re-charge

[Erik the Awful]

I usually find a nice, warm place in the engine bay to set the can upright and I run the engine at 2000 rpm. Not too hot to touch for a few seconds, but too hot to rest your skin on.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

compressor is cycling on/off every few seconds because it doesnt have enough freon. keep filling it. this is assuming all the pressure switches are working properly

This.

Still pick up a set of gauges. You can get a decent set off of Amazon for like $65 shipped. It will help you dial in the correct amount of juice to get the best cooling out of your system.

I bought a vacuum compressor at the same time, and have used both, more than I expected.

 

[phatphuck]

Cheers guys. Will dig in with some of this info in my pocket... just as soon as we stop getting passed on down here. Its supposed to rain for the next 5 days and this was supposed to be teardown weekend on suspension.

 

[phatphuck]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I was able to get some manifold gauges and get a charge in it by jumping the connector at the accumulator.

Seems to be holding pressure and blowing cold but I suspect there is likely a leak somewhere. The valve on the low side where I filled was sputtering a bit for a couple minutes after fill, but seemed to go away.

I never got much higher than 260psi on the hi side when filling.

Compressor seemed a little "chattery" but not nearly like dead compressors I've heard in the past. Really will be lucky if I can get this whole season out of the charge I suspect but a girl can hope.

 

[Erik the Awful]

If the valve sputtered at all, it's shot. You can replace the schrader valve dirt cheap, but you'll need one specifically for refrigerant.

Or just cap it tight, hope it holds through summer, and rebuild your system next fall.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

You can get a kit from O'Reillys that comes with both large (for the high side) and small schrader valves. Just for ***** and giggles, change them both.

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You also need the tool for the large size. Here's the part #s

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[Eveready]

Mine leaked down over the winter too and when I started to sort it out the low side Schrader looked strange. Also the cap just fit loose. Anyone have any ideas? It looks like a piece may have broken off the cap and might prevent the valve from working. The system has leaked down pretty far so once I figure this out I will likely pump it down. @PlayingWithTBI have you seen anything like this?

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[PlayingWithTBI]

@PlayingWithTBI have you seen anything like this?

No I haven't, that could be a piece from the cap? It looks like you can unscrew it and take it to a parts store to see if you can get a replacement adapter.

 

[Eveready]

No I haven't, that could be a piece from the cap? It looks like you can unscrew it and take it to a parts store to see if you can get a replacement adapter.

I will try to get it out. Most likely is a piece of the cap and likely leaked down at the schrader valve. The cap was just sitting there loose. I will order up a replacement kit with new caps. I am pretty sure the system is closed but likely leaked mostly down.

Thanks for the response. When I get some pieces in place I'll start a new thread on it. Apologies to the OP but this seemed somewhat in line with what was going on here.

 

[Supercharged111]

Mine leaked down over the winter too and when I started to sort it out the low side Schrader looked strange. Also the cap just fit loose. Anyone have any ideas? It looks like a piece may have broken off the cap and might prevent the valve from working. The system has leaked down pretty far so once I figure this out I will likely pump it down. @PlayingWithTBI have you seen anything like this?

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Is that just the R134 retrofit fitting?