You can purchase one of the DIY recharge kits from any auto parts store. They are easy to use and work pretty well but if you want it done right, take it to a shop. They will evacuate your A/C system and put in new refrigerant. This will give you the best cooling.
The key is to get air and moisture out of the system. That cant be done with the do it yourself kits. It'll still work, but not as efficiently. If the system is empty you probably have a small leak somewhere anyway.
Actually, you will never be low on A/C refrig. unless there is a leak somewhere. The law in Ontario states a repair shop is not allowed to simply recharge your A/C without finding and fixing the leak.
Reputable shops follow the law. Others couldn't btoher and will say they tightened a fitting and be done with it. And others couldn't care less about the law and will recharge your A/C weekly if you pay them.
If you think it'll last a few years after recharging it yourself then I'd go for it. Otherwise I'd get it professionally checked for leaks.
richd978,
You have to distinguish between "recharging the AC" and "fixing the AC". If your AC system has a leak, recharging it won't fix it for long. First find out if your AC is r12 or r134a. If it's r12, leave it to an AC shop. To recharge an r134a system, the minimum equipment is a gauge and cans of refrigerant. Then you have to figure out where your low pressure schrader valve is. If you recharge this way you know something about the pressure at that valve. But you don't know anything about the high pressure side of the system, so you can't diagnose problems with the AC very well. Also you don't know if the system needs oil ( perhaps even the pros don't know this unless they take the system apart.) The traditional AC recharging and diagnostic tools is a set of "manifold gauges". This allows testing both pressures and monitoring them while you recharge. These sell for about $70 US. The "professional" way to recharge the AC is to use a vacuum pump (for several hours) to exhaust all the old refrigerant and any moisture it has picked up. That piece of equipment is about $200.
I believe a '97 should have r134A refrigerant, a sticker under your hood should tell you.
If your system hasn't been opened up and you just want to add some r134a, go to WalMart and buy a kit in the automotive department and follow instructions.
If your system has been opened up or you have R12 (freon), better take it to a professional. There can be big fines for releasing freon into the atmosphere.
anyone done this? Any tips/advice to recharge the a/c in a 97 corolla or recharing the a/c in general?
First thing your going to need to do is see how much refrigerant you have in it already instead of just adding some freon and possibly over charging your system making your AC turn on and off, I think 2.5- 3 lbs is normal ...Buy one of those simple gages for $20 or have a good parts store check it for free and tell you how much to add and if your low and have no leaks go to walmart and pick a couple cans of R134a for $9 each and do it yourself...If you have a leak they have a fluorescent dye charge that can help you locate where its leaking. Don't use any stop leak because its worthless. If your charge is normal but doesn't blow cold air have someone check if your compressor is kicking on when you turn your AC on...You also might have dirt or metal flakes in the line blocking the flow causing the AC to overheat and as a safety feature turn itself off if that's the case it has to be reverse blown out(costly)...good luck...
~Radd~
don't ever use a 'Death Kit' on an A/C system. Don't use a death-Kit' on an R12 to R134a conversion. Fllow the correct instructions. See some prper websites and forums for more info:
don't ever use a 'Death Kit' on an A/C system. Don't use a death-Kit' on an R12 to R134a conversion. Fllow the correct instructions. See some prper websites and forums for more info:
Good info in those sites, thanks...According to them some sealants will work, good stuff not the "bars leak" from the parts store shelf, but I don't think just using them without finding where the leak is a good idea because it just might be a simple fitting that needs tightened or replaced, but people tend to be lazy and just take the "quick fix" way out...So put it this way, the sealers should only be used when you can't find the leak, because if you find the leak the best thing would be to fix it properly and not just maybe use a temporarily/quick fix!...You lost me on the death kit, what is that? I read in that site about "Black Death" but not the kit...thanks...
~Radd~
I think you are better off reading it from a professional site than me explaining. basically a death kit is a quick conversion with R134a connectors to replace R12, and only changing oil - Without properly taking the old oil out (only way to do that is to take off the compressor and draining the oil out, flushing the system, changing high and low side fittings and changing O-rings. if there is any damage to your suytem.... then you must clean out every part and do al the above, tha tis why you better get the info for your vehicle before you instal a Death Kit. Black-death is the worse kind.
read up on the A/C websites, they can explain it better than I can. if there is no damage and you are not changing from R12 to R134a, then don't worry about it. If there is any damage, like your compressor has seized then worry. If you are only charging a fully finctioning A/C system, then you need not sorry.
I saw a video at advanceautoparts.com how to recharge AC system..
Hope that works for you if you have R134a.. If R12 for a older AC system ( as my 93 corolla) .. i was told that freon is expensive and you cant get it unless you are licenced mechanic..
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