Refilling refrigerant in car/truck

[joshuabardwell]

I tried to refill the refrigerant in my vehicles today using A/C Pro refrigerant recharge kit. Here's the run-down of what happened:

1. Located low-side port on my truck (Ram 2500 Diesel). Connected the cannister.
2. Located AC compressor, but unable to verify that it was engaging due to location. Basically, I couldn't really see the front of the compressor to verify whether it was spinning or not.
3. Turned on truck and turned on Max AC.
4. Pulled the trigger slightly to let some refrigerant into the system. Gauge still read zero pounds. Instructions said that if the compressor wouldn't engage, you should put half a can into the system and try again. Since I wasn't sure whether the compressor was engaging or not, and since the gauge read zero pounds, I figured it was safe to put up to half a can in.
5. Put around half a can into the vehicle. This is about 10 oz. The vehicle takes 30 oz when full.
6. Released the trigger. The pressure gauge now read 100 lbs, about twice what the "green" range was on the can.
7. Tried cycling the AC on/off several times to see if the compressor would kick in and take some of the low-side pressure off. Nothing changed.

Okay, well, that's a dud. So I figure let's try it on my Jetta, which also has no AC. The whole time the can is disconnected, the gauge is reading 100 psi, which I would interpret to mean that there is 100 psi of pressure backed up in the line, which sort of makes sense given that this stuff is bad to release into the environment. So I plug the connector into the low pressure port on my Jetta, this time confirming that the AC clutch is engaged. Nothing changes. The pressure gauge reads 100 psi. I left the Jetta running with the compressor running for a while and nothing changed.

It seems like the can is not releasing the refrigerant into the vehicle, but the refrigerant is backing up between the trigger and the nozzle. Is my can defective? Is this just a case of user error? It seems really odd that two separate vehicles would have this same problem, but I dunno, maybe it's not.

 

[Stihlrunner]

Are you sure the fitting doesn't require it be turned to depress the Schrader valve after locking the coupler on?

 

[murphy1244]

Are you sure the fitting doesn't require it be turned to depress the Schrader valve after locking the coupler on?

I believe it do.

 

[Clint S]

Some compressors will not kick on when they are low on R 134a. You have to manually jump power to them to get them to come on and "Suck" the 134 in. At least that is what I have heard. My car right now will not take any and the compressor will not kick on. The only time I have had luck with the cans is when the AC was cool, but not cold

 

[oldpilgrim]

if you have to refill it, that means it's leaking and you're only going to have to refill it again.

It's very common for the compressor seal to wear and leak after 100k miles or so.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Are you sure the fitting doesn't require it be turned to depress the Schrader valve after locking the coupler on?

I do not. I tried pressing it various ways. I will try turning it. Thanks.

 

[joshuabardwell]

if you have to refill it, that means it's leaking and you're only going to have to refill it again.
It's very common for the compressor seal to wear and leak after 100k miles or so.

It's true. This stuff has a sealant in it, so it's a bit of a gamble. If it's not a bad leak, the sealant may buy me some time. I figured I'd gamble $40 today against what might be a much more expensive repair tomorrow.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I figured I'd gamble $40 today against what might be a much more expensive repair tomorrow.

It'll be even more expensive the day after tomorrow.

 

[JakeBrake]

I've had good luck with A/C Pro. on two vehicles. The way I read the instructions:

1. Turn on MAX A/C engine running. In my case the compressor activated.
2. Connect (push on) furnished meter to low side A/C port. A/C canister not yet attached.. It will only go one way. The right way. I think the meter will only work correctly when it is properly attached.
3. Read meter and disconnect. If reading is low, connect canister to meter and connect canister to A/C low side port.
4. Shake, hold canister up right and fully pull trigger. Repeat every 15 seconds or so until meter gauge is in green or can is empty.

A/C refrigerant is like air in your tires. Tires and A/C both leak a certain amount. Sometimes refilling refrigerant or air will get you many miles down the road.

Installing A/C Pro seems to work better when the ambient temperature is warm. Say over 85 D F.

Both of my vehicles have a low pressure A/C switch. If the A/C pressure is to low. It will shut off the compressor. You can remove the electrical connector and short the wire to see if the compressor will turn. Low pressure A/C switches often go bad and you will have to replace. You will lose a small amount of refrigerant while replacing the A/C low pressure switch.

I did call the A/C Pro toll-free number. Amazingly, the customer service representative who answered spoke good American English and was able to answer my question.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I do not. I tried pressing it various ways. I will try turning it. Thanks.

I just went and checked both vehicles, and I can't see any way of turning the nozzle on the fitting that would produce an effect. The nozzle locks into place with a spring-loaded ring that snaps down and then it can rotate freely.