Recharging the AC
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 6
From: Georgia on my mind...
Recharging in what regard? Did you open the system to replace a component? Did the system leak down and now you're going to charge it to find the leak?
Very general guidelines, until we know what ya got to charge and what you're intending on doing:
You'll first need to pull a vacuum on the system to remove any moisture and verify system integrity...note, if it holds vacuum, that doesn't necessarily mean that it don't have a leak. It's easier to maintain 30" Hg than it is 200 psi discharge pressures.
It's best if you've got a set of manifold guages for charging, since not everyone has a charging station in their garage. Charge from the low side ONLY. The fittings that you'll be using will only fit on the low side if you're buying a recharge kit from Wally World, Autozone, Advance, Pep Boys, etc. al, but just for good measure, never, ever, ever, ever charge from the high side with manifold guages or straight from the can. Bad things happen if you charge from the high side with guages or straight from the can.
After you vacuum and verify that the system maintains 30" Hg (or thereabouts) for 10-15 minutes, start the engine, connect the yellow hose of your manifold guage set (if you're using guages; otherwise, your adapter hose to the fitting on the can) to a can of refrigerant. Keep the high side valve on the guage set closed at all times. Open the low side valve only, turn the can upside down and let 'er run until the can gets light. Charge to the specified amount on the underhood sticker. Monitor your pressures at idle. You should be seeing somewhere around 30-32 psi on the suction side and 200-210 on discharge.
Very general guidelines, until we know what ya got to charge and what you're intending on doing:
You'll first need to pull a vacuum on the system to remove any moisture and verify system integrity...note, if it holds vacuum, that doesn't necessarily mean that it don't have a leak. It's easier to maintain 30" Hg than it is 200 psi discharge pressures.
It's best if you've got a set of manifold guages for charging, since not everyone has a charging station in their garage. Charge from the low side ONLY. The fittings that you'll be using will only fit on the low side if you're buying a recharge kit from Wally World, Autozone, Advance, Pep Boys, etc. al, but just for good measure, never, ever, ever, ever charge from the high side with manifold guages or straight from the can. Bad things happen if you charge from the high side with guages or straight from the can.
After you vacuum and verify that the system maintains 30" Hg (or thereabouts) for 10-15 minutes, start the engine, connect the yellow hose of your manifold guage set (if you're using guages; otherwise, your adapter hose to the fitting on the can) to a can of refrigerant. Keep the high side valve on the guage set closed at all times. Open the low side valve only, turn the can upside down and let 'er run until the can gets light. Charge to the specified amount on the underhood sticker. Monitor your pressures at idle. You should be seeing somewhere around 30-32 psi on the suction side and 200-210 on discharge.