I just got a used 96 maxima and just noticed that the AC is not working. when i turn it on all i got was hot air blowing... i checked the freon with an guage and got a high warning reading on the guage... Does anyone knows the cause of this high reading? is there a solution beside taking it to the dealer. i called them and they said it'll cost $90 just to look at it..

another question, Can i discharge my AC and try to refill it to the proper level?

 

Are you getting a high reading on both high and low gauges or just one? You can discharge and refill, but you should have a vaccum pump to evacuate the air from the system before refilling.

 

Im getting a high reading on the low side... what type of vaccum pump i should used to evacuate the air... and also how would i go by discharging it? or by drainning the fluid from the compressor?

 

Your A/C system should be serviced by a qualified tech with the proper equipment. It's very important the the system be evacuated and charged with the proper amount of R134 for it to work efficiently. To much R134 and it doesn't work on hot days, to little and it simply doesn't work good at all. Gauges don't do R134 systems any good. The amount must be accurately weighed and pumped into a room temperature system with a shot of oil to achieve optimum efficiency. A basic A/C service runs around 225 bucks and is well worth it when your A/C blows ice cold air on 90+ degree days. You cannot get that kind of performance by servicing the system yourself.

 

My advice is to take it to the pros. It doesn't have to be a Nissan dealership. If you don't know the properties of freon and how to handle it you are inviting more trouble than it's worth.

 

Was the high pressure reading on the low side with the compressor running???
Unless you have a "Real" set of guages, and not one that came with a "add a can", you can't tell a thing, unless the compressor is running!
I suggest you find out why the compressor don't run, if it dosn't, and then see if it blows cold! You sound like you're attacking the problem from the wrong end?
Good luck, Earl

 

I have to agree with these guys. If you don't have an A/C machine which would contain the vaccum pump, gauges, and scale, it is quite difficult to do this service at home. Plus you've got something acting up which is probably going to require filling and evacuating the system multiple times. This would be very costly if you were just releasing the freon into the air (which isn't technically legal). Good luck.

 

I would certainly agree that a professional AC service would be the "proper" way to go. However, most of us here, are here because we want to perform our own service. Or dont feel like paying full price.

Either way, here is my experience in the matter of self serve AC repair.

I replaced all of my R12 in my last Max (90) with the Duracool "Tune up and seal kit". (This was prompted by the replacement of SIX heater cores in one season but that’s another story) This kit comes with a low side gauge, and 3 cans of R12a HC mixed with a sealer, a drier and a can with UV leak additive. If you suspect a near failing or not quite "perfect" AC system I would recommend using this product. I paid $90 at a local shop for it. I didn’t pull any vacuum before filling with this kit. My AC never felt so cold. And since R12a or HCs are more efficient the R134a, the "AC lagg" was almost gone.

If your just doing a replacement or top up, you may want to just get 2 cans of Duracool and a can of A/C oil chill.

Much less refrigerant is required when using this product as well.(eg. 1-6oz can of R12a = 15oz of R134a or 17oz or R12). It is a drop in replacement for both systems. So if you have anyone with a R12 system needing a top up you can drop this right in. The oil is compatible with all systems, and they provide in writing that your AC system will not be damaged in anyway by using their product. And to top it all off, no license or special equipment is required for handling.

I plan on upgrading the system in my 2k2 very soon. The load that my AC places on the car right now is similar to really bad TCS  ,not fun.

Tons of literature and technical information can be found at www.duracool.com

 

same problem here dudes.

 

Those are hrorroble.

 

freakin weird

 

Damn those are hot.

 

Wow what happened?

 

Com on dude

 

weirdfd ere5

 

I gotta get the same bro.

 

thanks for post whoring you have been reported good bye

yea you might want to get that replaced by a pro cause i know my a/c blows super cold with just the in-cabin circulation button on and the a/c button is still off

 

You do know that this product is based off of using propane, right? This almost sounds like a good idea, but there has to be a reason that not every auto manufacture isn't running to this. I'm guessing is the high cost. One thing that I don't like is the fact that it has a sealer. As it states it plugs up holes, well if thats true there is a possiblity that your a/c system could take a dump. If it does indeed plug up holes then there is a chance it could plug up your orfice tube, and cause higher than normal pressures in your a/c system and eventually burn out your compressor. Thats just theoretically speaking though.

 

Yes, that’s the biggest beef mechanics have with HC products. They are flammable in the right conditions, but its hardly explosive. Lets not forget that we are rolling with 50L+ of gasoline under their trunk. In the right kind of smash what do you think will do the most damage, 15oz of propane, or the gas in the tank?

As far as the sealer goes, you don’t have to buy that kit. The Tune Up kit i mentioned above was designed to be dropped into a less then perfect R12 system that the owner doesn’t want to replace. It comes with a can of each; sealer, lube and UV dye. You can buy straight up plain R12a in a can which is what I plan for the 02.

Another thing I didn’t mention, they claim on the site that the molecular size of HCs is many times larger then its refrigerant counterparts, therefore small leaks are even less likely when switching. As far as why all the car mfg dont already use this product, I was asking my self the same question. I still dont have a good answer