As the title says my AC is not working great. The wife saw a big puddle under it today. I think it was just water and that is probably OK, but it is not super cold. I have a recharge kit for a 134A. before I charge head first into I was looking for any feedback. is 134a the recommended stuff? is there any special technique to know when it is full? should I add the oil stuff? should i add a dye? I have had the car 9 months I do not know the history of if it has ever been recharged. it has 128k on it now. thanks for any feedback.
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2006 Vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto ( Toyota type IV), AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 161,000(5/12/2012)
1998 Camry LE, 4 door, Puke Green, I4(5S-FE), CA Emissions, Auto(A140E), 122k(3/22/2012), AC,CC, ABS, Built in Japan 04/98. Grandmas old car(acquired 7/22/2011), work= precat Denso A/F sensor, NGK wires.
Puddle under the car is normal when the AC is running, assuming it is water. Recharge kits are ok, but generally most people over charge their systems and get mad when it blows warm air again. There are videos on youtube on how to add 134a. It is fairly easy to do. If you do decide to do it, only use a recharge kit that has a low side gauge on it. If the kit does not have a gauge, dont use it or get another one. 25-40 psi on the low side is the pressure you want in the corolla. You can take it to the dealer and have them test it for $80 or so or chain replace places do it too. Might want to gently rinse the condenser first and change the cabin air filter if it was not look at for a while. Also check the condenser for damage/holes. Only add dye if you suspect a leak and have a leak detector machine. You likely do not need to add oil. The best way to get it serviced is to take it to a professional. If there is any moisture in the system, they can evacuate it, pressurize it, and look for leaks. Just adding 134a to the system will not help if there is moisture in the system.
Puddle under the car is normal when the AC is running, assuming it is water. Recharge kits are ok, but generally most people over charge their systems and get mad when it blows warm air again. There are videos on youtube on how to add 134a. It is fairly easy to do. If you do decide to do it, only use a recharge kit that has a low side gauge on it. If the kit does not have a gauge, dont use it or get another one. 25-40 psi on the low side is the pressure you want in the corolla. You can take it to the dealer and have them test it for $80 or so or chain replace places do it too. Might want to gently rinse the condenser first and change the cabin air filter if it was not look at for a while. Also check the condenser for damage/holes. Only add dye if you suspect a leak and have a leak detector machine. You likely do not need to add oil. The best way to get it serviced is to take it to a professional. If there is any moisture in the system, they can evacuate it, pressurize it, and look for leaks. Just adding 134a to the system will not help if there is moisture in the system.
I have a vibe/matrix( built on a corolla). I pulled the cabin filter a month ago it was nasty. I have not replaced yet. I did not rinse off the condenser but it looked clean. I put a gauge on the low side of the system. I put the ac on max with the doors open. the pressure was about 39 with the compresssor off. when the comp kicked on the pressure went down to 34. It was 90 degrees out. I was reading that when it is 90 outside the pressure should be beteween 45-50. does this sound correct? I also dont know if I use the pressure when the compressor is on or off.... I am going to get a thermometer also.....thanks
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2006 Vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto ( Toyota type IV), AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 161,000(5/12/2012)
1998 Camry LE, 4 door, Puke Green, I4(5S-FE), CA Emissions, Auto(A140E), 122k(3/22/2012), AC,CC, ABS, Built in Japan 04/98. Grandmas old car(acquired 7/22/2011), work= precat Denso A/F sensor, NGK wires.
I have a vibe/matrix( built on a corolla). I pulled the cabin filter a month ago it was nasty. I have not replaced yet. I did not rinse off the condenser but it looked clean. I put a gauge on the low side of the system. I put the ac on max with the doors open. the pressure was about 39 with the compresssor off. when the comp kicked on the pressure went down to 34. It was 90 degrees out. I was reading that when it is 90 outside the pressure should be beteween 45-50. does this sound correct? I also dont know if I use the pressure when the compressor is on or off.... I am going to get a thermometer also.....thanks
Replace the filter will help and gently rinsing the condenser of stuff will help too. Some people insulate the low side ac line, it helps a bit but not much. Check the pressure of the low line with ac on max and on recirculate. When you get the digital thermometer stick it in he center vent with ac on max, recurlate, and at 2000 rpm. Temp should be between 39-45 degrees.
the pressure should be at what I wrote earlier.
Mike and Gideon thanks for your help. I bought an AC thermometer today at advance auto. I put the car on max blower at 2/3 speed , revved the motor to 2k rpm within about 10 seconds the t-meter was reading about 42 it has a green dot on it between about 38-42 it was at the top of the dot. I went between recirculating and not recirculating, it did not change. it was 90 degrees outside. I think I will leave it as it is for now. I am thrilled because the wife would have hounded me all summer that the ac was not working......thanks again.
__________________
2006 Vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto ( Toyota type IV), AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 161,000(5/12/2012)
1998 Camry LE, 4 door, Puke Green, I4(5S-FE), CA Emissions, Auto(A140E), 122k(3/22/2012), AC,CC, ABS, Built in Japan 04/98. Grandmas old car(acquired 7/22/2011), work= precat Denso A/F sensor, NGK wires.
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