How to recharge & repair refrigerant leak
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau MO
First, if you aren't fully comfortable with your mechanical abilities - get the work done by a professional.
A mis-step while working on the A/C system can result in further equipment damage, or worse yet, personal injury - both of which are likely to more than offset the savings of doing it yourself. There are high pressures and extremely cold temperatures involved here, just lying in wait to put some hurt on something or someone.
If you choose to proceed, suggest to use a full set of gauges that measures both the high and low side pressures - not the cheapy gauge provided with some recharge kits which measures only the low-side pressure. Do not use any of the stop-leaks or sealers - yes, they will plug the leak, but also will plug just about everything else.
Get ahold of a basic service training manual or the like. I have a book published by MasterCool that goes into various operating aspects of the A/C system.
Be sure to wear proper protective equipment, particularly for your hands and your eyes.
If you're not sure where the leak is, there are fluorescent dye products that can be introduced into the freon to better see any leaks.
I am not a licensed mobile HVAC tech - but it is my understanding that it is illegal to discharge freon, even the R-134, freely into the atmosphere. While anyone can purchase the R-134, it is also my understanding that it is also illegal for an unlicensed person to install the freon as well as to install freon into a system with a known leak. If my understandings are true, then you will need to do conscience and gut checks if you wish to proceed.
If the system is torn into, then you will need to have access to a vacuum pump meant for A/C service, and may also need some special tools to undo the hose connectors.
Not to scare you off, but things have gotten complicated with the legal aspects of A/C work, and the dangers of working on an A/C system have always been something to highly respect.
A mis-step while working on the A/C system can result in further equipment damage, or worse yet, personal injury - both of which are likely to more than offset the savings of doing it yourself. There are high pressures and extremely cold temperatures involved here, just lying in wait to put some hurt on something or someone.
If you choose to proceed, suggest to use a full set of gauges that measures both the high and low side pressures - not the cheapy gauge provided with some recharge kits which measures only the low-side pressure. Do not use any of the stop-leaks or sealers - yes, they will plug the leak, but also will plug just about everything else.
Get ahold of a basic service training manual or the like. I have a book published by MasterCool that goes into various operating aspects of the A/C system.
Be sure to wear proper protective equipment, particularly for your hands and your eyes.
If you're not sure where the leak is, there are fluorescent dye products that can be introduced into the freon to better see any leaks.
I am not a licensed mobile HVAC tech - but it is my understanding that it is illegal to discharge freon, even the R-134, freely into the atmosphere. While anyone can purchase the R-134, it is also my understanding that it is also illegal for an unlicensed person to install the freon as well as to install freon into a system with a known leak. If my understandings are true, then you will need to do conscience and gut checks if you wish to proceed.
If the system is torn into, then you will need to have access to a vacuum pump meant for A/C service, and may also need some special tools to undo the hose connectors.
Not to scare you off, but things have gotten complicated with the legal aspects of A/C work, and the dangers of working on an A/C system have always been something to highly respect.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
The fundamental message here is right...you are much better off taking it to a professional, but not necessarily the dealer. I am an HVAC-M professional, however, if you are stubborn like me and like to learn then you will not find a better resource than the following website:
www.autoacforum.com
Enjoy!
www.autoacforum.com
Enjoy!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Tenn.
Originally Posted by desertst0rm
OMG! Here in our country in 10 A/C shop only 2 of them have the recovery machine. Think anything is legal here just stay off Arroyo's way.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: North Pole, Alaska
First off yes it is illegal to vent off any a/c system to atmosphere (but it is OK for the refrigerant to slowly leak out of a system), also in case you are wondering the Montreal Protocol is the international agreement that phased out ozone depleting refrigerants (r-12) and prompted the govt to pass legislation on the use of CFC's and HCFC's.
If your a/c system has slowly lost its charge over the years you are safe to use a recharge kit that you can buy off the shelf just make sure it has the oil mixed in with it and it has a pressure gauge attached to it so you get the correct charge in the system.
If the system lost its charge all of a sudden then you will need to have a shop repair the system. Also if the system has been opened you will need to have a shop purge the air out of the system and refill.
If your a/c system has slowly lost its charge over the years you are safe to use a recharge kit that you can buy off the shelf just make sure it has the oil mixed in with it and it has a pressure gauge attached to it so you get the correct charge in the system.
If the system lost its charge all of a sudden then you will need to have a shop repair the system. Also if the system has been opened you will need to have a shop purge the air out of the system and refill.
