new problem with a/c

well recently i notced the a/c not working right.so i checked it.and it was in the red zone of the gauge.so i instantly thought of realesing the pressure.so i turned the gauge to let it out.so now it has no refigerant.i just have to refill it correct?

The system needs to be evacuated to 29.4 inches of mercury for a minimum of 1 hour before recharging.

well recently i notced the a/c not working right.so i checked it.and it was in the red zone of the gauge.so i instantly thought of realesing the pressure.so i turned the gauge to let it out.so now it has no refigerant.i just have to refill it correct?

I sure hope you did not use that super glue sealer and crappie oil in the kit.
What year and what have you done so far?
What is not working right on it?

And pitch that.
Wal Mart DEATH KITS

You cannot properly and safely recharge an air condition system with them.

The one side stop and go gauge does not tell you what your system is doing or is over charged or undercharged.
A overcharged or malfunction air condition system can reach over 500 lbs of pressure.
Enough to blow up that can or system and freeze you at first and the burn you or blind you and if any propane /butane in there blow and light you up.

The stop leak crap and who knows what kind of oil in the kits there will stop your system for sure.
Just like pouring super glue in it.
And some kits even contain freon with a butane mixer.
Good for a big blast.

If you are going to do it do it right and safe.
Here is what you need to start with.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773

In the older days you could just throw in a can and go.
But over the years just adding freon is getting harder to do.
Newer systems have to have the correct amount of freon down to the ounces.
Most will need pumped down and vacuumed down and the right and amount of oil and a set amount freon charge installed to get the air to cool right and the system to last.
If an air condition is low there is usually a leak that needs fixed and also a lose of lubricating oil from system.
Also air and moisture enters a low system
If you are going to try to do it get the proper type air condition gauge set with the low and high side gauges.
Hook up the gauges and get a reading with compressor running at idle and at 2000 rpm on the high and low side.
Post back pressure reading and we can help you.
MT

Old Master and MT are correct. If you vented your system to atmosphere (a federal offense) then you have to start over from scratch by vacumm evacuating your system and then adding the the proper amount of freon by weight, not pressure. pressure will vary by ambient tempurature and actual operating conditions and may be increased by humidity and any gasses such as hard to compress nitrogen and oxygen you may have introduced into the system.

If you have any pressure in the system never let it out as it will still be protecting the system to some degree, by preventing unwanted contaminants from coming in.

I sure hope you did not use that super glue sealer and crappie oil in the kit.
what do u mean by that?

What year and what have you done so far?
What is not working right on it?
Its a 1998 Bravada.Ive only realesed the pressure.The gauge says there is freon left.

so do i have to add the correct amount of freon now?

what do u mean by that?


Its a 1998 Bravada.Ive only realesed the pressure.The gauge says there is freon left.

so do i have to add the correct amount of freon now?

You should have done some testing before you let it all out.
Which you are not supposed to do. That is a no no.:grinyes: :lol:
EPA can fine you 10K or more for things like that.

Now you do not really know what was wrong to start with.

But read what has been posted to you about 3 times.

Throw that recharge gauge and recharge kit back at the people who sold it to you.
If it has a sealer in it it is just like putting super glue in your air cond system.
It will seal it up for good so it can never be fixed.
http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=15719

And here is what you will need to do it.

http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773

http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=DIY-STARTER1

http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=DIYADVANCE

well let me get this product right here and ill post the readings.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773

well let me get this product right here and ill post the readings.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773


Well that is a good start.
The gauge set does not do it all like pump down and vacume it down.
Gauges only test pressure and add freon and make connection for vacume pump to system
But if you have allready let the pressure off or gas out.
You will need to vacume it down and refill it with the proper freon and oil charge and then test it.
And here is what you will need to do that.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=DIY-STARTER1

http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=DIYADVANCE

Have the system had any of that sealer crap added to it.
And where are now at on it?
Like you have let the gas out and have no gas in it? Right?

Great thread fellas,
I borrow a vacuum pump from a friend to evacuate mine but I've seen them at pawn shops too. You'd probably need to see a used one pull down to at least OM's 29.4"hg with a gauge kit...also at pawn shops, before you buy.
Maybe get some buddy's to go in with you on it.

Harbor Freight tools has an a/c manifold guage set on sale now for 34.99 with the coupon. that's cheaper than some of the refill kits i've seen.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/emails/display.do?fname=30_retailB.html

the manifold guage set went off sale but now the have an r134 vaccum pupm for $10 with coupon. here's the link
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/emails/display.do?fname=31_retailB.html

Since you only let some refrigerant out, now you have no idea how much is in it, so there's no way of knowing how much to put back in. I'd recommend having the system evacuated and vacuumed, then refer to the sticker under the hood to see how many pounds of refrigerant to put back in. Putting in 3-4 oz's of oil wouldn't hurt, either.

the manifold guage set went off sale but now the have an r134 vaccum pupm for $10 with coupon. here's the link
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/emails/display.do?fname=31_retailB.html

Eric,
That tool is not a "stand alone" evacuator. It requires a shop air compressor with a substantial cfm air flow to operate it. It evacuates the A/C system by directing compressed air across a venturi and creating a vacuum in the system. It will achieve the necessary 29.4" but be aware, the average DIY'ers home air compressor will not do the job. Check the specifications on the box and make sure your compressor is able to supply what the evacuator requires. You can always make a very substantial evacuator very easily, and for under $10.00. If you're interested, PM me.

Eric,
That tool is not a "stand alone" evacuator. It requires a shop air compressor with a substantial cfm air flow to operate it. It evacuates the A/C system by directing compressed air across a venturi and creating a vacuum in the system. It will achieve the necessary 29.4" but be aware, the average DIY'ers home air compressor will not do the job. Check the specifications on the box and make sure your compressor is able to supply what the evacuator requires. You can always make a very substantial evacuator very easily, and for under $10.00. If you're interested, PM me.

yeah i saw that, always got to read the fine print. works on the same principle as the swiming pool vacumm that came with the kids pool that hooks up to the garden hose. pressure and volume across the venturi creates vacumm. i happen to have a medium CFM compressor since i do carpentry as a hobby. my neighbor down the street does a lot of mechanical work and light fabricating so we figured out a way to piggy back our compressors to increase the CFM, just have to plug them into different circuits or you'll be blowing the circuit breaker. with the new electric motor technolgies you can now get a 20 gallon upright with enough CFM's that will run on a 15 amp circuit for not too much money. everybody needs an excuse to buy a new compressor anyways.