Freon alternatives?

1997 Grand Prix with 165k miles. A/C does not blow cold, just slightly cooler than when turned off. A/C light works. Compressor kicks in. Can I use the non- freon replacement refrigerants, if so, do I need to have it evacuated first? I live in WI and cannot buy freon here. The shop wants $80 to diagnose and $200 to top off refrigerant. Any other cheaper ways to get cool air?

1997 Grand Prix with 165k miles. A/C does not blow cold, just slightly cooler than when turned off. A/C light works. Compressor kicks in. Can I use the non- freon replacement refrigerants, if so, do I need to have it evacuated first? I live in WI and cannot buy freon here. The shop wants $80 to diagnose and $200 to top off refrigerant. Any other cheaper ways to get cool air?

The refrigerant in your Grand Prix should be R134a and its not like the older R12 freon. Autozones and Advanced Auto to include other national auto parts store sell R 134a recharge kits even with a gauge unless Wisconsin law dictates otherwise? It sounds like you are low on R134 and it needs a re-charge. The system does not need to be evacuated. Pressure is checked at the low side port located by the firewall. The charge should correspond to the ambient air temperature.





http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

I tried my local stores, they can't sell it in single use quantity, however the EPA site says it is acceptable to top-off the R134a. It makes the process extremely difficult and expensive.

That really sucks that your local laws do not allow the sale of small cans of R134a. Obviously the repair shops know this, because $200 to refill in addition to $80 to diagnose is highway robbery. Freon sells for about $10/lb and your car only requires about 3 lbs if it was totally empty. How far from the border of another state are you? You could drive a long ways on $250 worth of gas (the difference between the $50 kit at Advance to do it yourself vs $300 at the shop.

From what I understand Walmart and auto parts stores in neighboring Illinois, Indiana and Michigan sell R134a to the consumer without any red tape. Good luck!





http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.