Air Conditioning Recharging

[DjEarth]

So I want to recharge my A/C with a kit. I have looked through the board here and understand how to do it. The problem is when I phoned to inquire if they had a kit at one of the retailers here they guy starts telling me that they don't reccomend it be done outside of a shop..and somthing about molucules being different and messing somthing up..and now I am freaked out a bit about doing it. Can I screw this up in any way shape or form?

[BlazerLT]

As long as you buy a kit with a gauge and follow the directions, you will be fine. Use a R134a kit, not the replacement chamicals you see floating around.

Be thankful, we can't buy kits in R134a kits in Canada.

[DjEarth]

Hmmm. I am in Canada LT. Guy said it was a kit with everything for a R134a recharge. Think it is maybe the replacement chemicals you are talking about?

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by DjEarth

Hmmm. I am in Canada LT. Guy said it was a kit with everything for a R134a recharge. Think it is maybe the replacement chemicals you are talking about?

Yip, one of the clone chemical kits.

In Canada, best to have a shop redo it.

[DjEarth]

Good thing I decided to ask. Most likely saved myself a big headache. Off to the shop it goes this week then.

[BlazerLT]

Let me know how it went and how much it cost.

Don't allow them to sell you everything, you just want a top up with the apprpriate mixture of R134a and oil.

Nothing else is needed, they might try to remove and replace it all when it is not needed.

[DjEarth]

Got it done this morning. Ended up costing around $120. They flushed the system with a EVAC they said. Filled it up with the R134A and oil. Now it is so damn cold! Perfect for the long drive to Vancouver this summer.
Don't know if that is a decent price or not being I have never had this done before..but I won't complain it is so essential for the summer.

[rlith]

That's why I use Hot SHot, much colder than r12 or r134...

[ldr1ff]

The directions in the recharge kit I purchased from Autozone is a little vague as to which connnection I need to use to connect my recharge kit to the system. There are two quick connect fittings on the passenger side of the truck. One is directly connected to a metal canister, which I assume is a expansion cansister of some sort. The other fitting is on a hard line next to the radiator expansion tank.

Which fitting do I connect to?

Thanks

[rlith]

Originally Posted by ldr1ff

The directions in the recharge kit I purchased from Autozone is a little vague as to which connnection I need to use to connect my recharge kit to the system. There are two quick connect fittings on the passenger side of the truck. One is directly connected to a metal canister, which I assume is a expansion cansister of some sort. The other fitting is on a hard line next to the radiator expansion tank.

Which fitting do I connect to?

Thanks

No offense, but your message makes me nervous. The canister isn't an expansion canister, it's a dryer. The way you're headed is more than just pumping in some freon. The fact that you do means that you more than likely have a leak somewhere and really should have a professional look at it. You can actually over pressurize your system as well. You also need to create a vacume in the system to properly cool it.

If you really want your AC system in tact, please return the recharge kit and let a garage handle your system

[DRGREENTHUMB1001]

That metal cannister you talk about is the Accumulator Drier, it is the port that you want to plug the charging hose into...the plug you see on the line you speak of is the high pressure line, DO NOT use that port to plug your 134a into!!!

How hard was that to tell the guy rlith? Its the only thing he needs to know that the kit doesnt tell you...it also ridiculus that GM doesnt specify that in the car manual, (I looked!)but that I am sure is one of the MANY reasons GM went bankrupt, hooking up there repair guys and screwing us the consumer over! Its an easy fix, something that with good written directions anyone comfortable enuff working on there car can fix themselves!