matty

iTrader: (54)

Several different sources are saying differnet numbers. How many bottles of R134a refrigerant do I need to purchase. That cans are 12oz a peice.

I loaded two cans into my car and it doesnt seem all that cold yet ?? Do I need to add oil as well ??

-matt

sky jumper

it is measured by weight. i believe it varies depending on the exact model compressor. for a 99 calsonic the total system capacity is 1.4lb. your owner's manual or service tag (under the hood) might tell you what it is for your car.

for top ups you need to measure the high and low side pressure per the FSM. yes, you probably should add some PAG oil as well (find an R134 can with PAG in it).

Nozama

iTrader: (1)

Since you've had the system apart previously you may want to replace the drier and add PAG next time.

SVI30

Complete fill is 32 oz FREON and 7-8oz PAG46 oil.

Compressor only
Pour out the old oil in a graduated cylinder (flask) and refill the old compressor with same amount of new oil.

Dryer/receiver
If replaced, add 0.2oz of oil.

Condensor
If replaced, add 1.1oz of oil.

Since we cannot measure weight of freon easily, you can judge fill by low side pressure also, about 25PSI at 75deg F ambient or 30PSI at 100deg F ambient. As you approach these PSI values, fill it slowly. Keep the can right side up so the system only draw gas and not liquid freon. If the high side pressure exceed too rapidly, or the compressor clutch cut out; there may be too much freon in the system. you have to bleed off some freon from the low side port. As the oil will come out at the same time, cover the hose end with a rag.

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

did you refill it with the can upside down?

generally on a car that is low on psi while the car is running, a taller can would do, i dont know the siizes but generally at the store there is a taller can and shorter can both are similiar in sizes.

matty

iTrader: (54)

My macanic did it. I gave him 2 (12oz) cans and it evaporated the system and added the cans. Maybe Im just low on oil. I did add come oil but definetly not 6-7oz of Pag. The Freon had oil in with it though

Im taking a ride down by him tomorrow. Hes going to take the readings and maybe add some freon

-matt

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

if your mechanic did it. he should have a PROPER machine that evacuates it and then refills it. without the usage of cans because there is a big blue can that stores i forget about 27lb of that stuff in it.

or is your mechanic the one with the red and blue gauges only and without the proper machine?

matty

iTrader: (54)

It was fully evacuated, then filled from the top low pressure side with two of small cans from wal-mart (12oz a peice) He never got r134 in this year so he just told me to get Freon and he would fill it

-matt

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

did he read the sticker on the hood or near the grille that says how much r134a is suppose to be in there? i think the sticker reads in grams. and if i remember I THINK 180grams is what its suppose to be. I CAN BE wrong but thats how much should be in there. so if the math adds up then something else might be the problem.


edit. i just walked to the car. its .65kg +/- .05kg

a quick google showed me

".65 kilograms = 22.9280753 ounces"

".05 kilograms = 1.7636981 ounces"

So you mechanic was correct about 2 cans worth. i assume 2 smaller cans was equal to the taller can i speak of.

As of oil most cans sold at wal-mart should have some PAG oil mixed in, i've seem stuff with UV leak mixtures as well. You are at the correct level and it should be 2 cans.

SVI30

I checked the FSM and 23oz is correct. Our car takes PAG46 oil. Some pre-mix freon may have PAG100.

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

oil should not matter at this point. there should be nothing wrong if his guy did it right because when you evac the system, you asking the system to hold a vac for 10 mins and if it holds a vac then there are no leaks. Its pretty easy to confirm that the AC compressor works and if he never checked that prior to recharging AC then he should not be in this field. generally those 2 are commonly the main issues with everycar's AC system. leaks and AC compressor being out.

ThurzNite

iTrader: (13)

How much does it cost to evac, run the vac test, and refill?

Jae

SVI30

In Santa Clara, I had a shop that did it for around $150.

TurTLe*

iTrader: (11)

this is the whole process of recharging your AC, well the right way, almost all shops do it this way. most places advertise anywhere between $49.95- 129.95

Honestly its brainless work if nothing is wrong with the AC system. A lot of people who do it aren't certified and being certified is the easiest thing for this.

worldspeaker

Thanks everyone for your help. My compressor is working and when I checked the psi for the refrigerant I did not take into account the outside temp. My psi was about 28 when I checked it. Outside temp was over 100 degrees. I topped off the refrigerant to about 44 psi and it is running cold again. Thanks again for your help.

Dave