Car Air Conditioning rechargers?

[gar598]

Do these actually work? I have a '97 volvo 960

 

[Greenman]

Yes they do. Though if it needs a recharge it must have a leak.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

if it gets warm after like 2 months u need repair.... if it is like over like 4 months to get warm one of those canisters with stop leak may be able to fix it.... (temporarily)

 

[gar598]

Is it easy to do? It's probably cheaper than paying $300 bucks.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Yes, they work. They are just cans of R-134. Look under the hood, over by the A/C system and find out how much yours is supposed
to take before you charge it.

You do have a leak if you are out of refrigerant, but that doesn't necessarily mean you absolutely need to fix it first. If it's a slow leak,
you may well be able to charge it and have it last all summer. If it leaks out soon after, then you definitely need to find and fix the leak.

Note: If you break open the system, e.g., removing a line or a component while fixing it, then you need to have a vacuum pulled on it
before you recharge.
If it still has some refrigerant, this isn't necessary.
The vacuum is to get moisture out of the system. If there is still a partial charge, no moisture can get in, but it it's totally empty, like if you
cracked it open or it has a MAJOR leak, there will be moisture.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: gar598
Is it easy to do? It's probably cheaper than paying $300 bucks.

Yes, it's easy.

You hook up the can to the LOW side. The low side is the line that comes from the accumulator (or dryer to some folks).
The high side goes to the condenser, in front of the radiator. You do not want to try and charge that side.

So hook it to the low side, and follow the instructions on the can. It's simple.

 

[gar598]

Thanks. Maybe, I'll try this. Worth a shot.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: gar598
Thanks. Maybe, I'll try this. Worth a shot.

All it'll cost you is the price of a can or two of refrigerant and a few minutes to charge it.

 

[0]

I did it, and now my air works again!

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: 0
I did it, and now my air works again!

Same here. $25 or so (for two cans of R-134a and the hose/gauge) is much cheaper than the hundreds it would cost to fix the condenser (which IIRC is what needs to be replaced in my car). Luckily it must be a very slow leak, because for the past two years I've been able to recharge it in March and have it last all summer (until November or so).