Hi All,

I have a 97 F-150. The A/C is blowing hot air. Before I take it to the dealer and get charged an arm and leg can I recharge the freon myself with a kit from an auto parts store?

I remember being able to do this 15 years ago, but thought the rules had changed recently.

When I move the dial over to A/C I here the compressor click and then it keeps clicking every 10 seconds or so. A buddy of mine says that means the freon is spent, so recharge it and see how long it lasts to indicate a leak or not.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

 

if it keeps clicking the charge is low . you can go to your local autoparts dealer and buy r134 without a license by the one with the gauge on the hose so you dont over charge it

 

Buy the one with the libricant and whatever else built in, not just straight freon. It is a few dollars more, but better for your AC system

 

Thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know what the pressure should be that I fill to?

 

if you get the can with the gauge it is color coded .35-40 psi on the suction side

 

I left my gague on permanently on my Honda... it seems I lot the little cap from the hose, so I didn't have a choice.

Not really a big deal though, i never lost it, it was always where I left it. lol

 

If you must DIY your A/C (something I don't recommend), use canisters that have R134a in them only. R134a with dye is okay too, but avoid the all-in-one cans. Unless you replaced something in the system, it doesn't need anymore oil than what's already in there. And the all-in-one cans that contain "cooling enhancers" or sealants of that nature will contaminate the system, meaning that if you should ever take your truck to an A/C shop, they either won't touch it at all or charge you a lot more to handle contaminated refrigerant.

Although if the compressor is short cycling, there's probably a leak in the system you might want to consider getting fixed.

 

Take his word, not mine. (Not that there was any danger of anyone listening to me)

I got my info second hand, and obviously it wasn't a good second hand

 

Got the recharge kit last night and recharged the unit. So far so good. Coldest air I've ever felt. See if lasts and there hopefully isn't a leak.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info.

 

My a/c clicks every ten seconds or so too. Should I recharge it anyway even though the air is still pretty cool, just not as cold as it used to be? It has been recharged before.

 

If it's cycling on and off at idle, the system is low. Some leakage over the years isn't unusual. Your truck being a '98, if it's never been serviced, it probably just needs to be swept and recharged.

 

Okay, will do. Thanks!