Anyone Recharged Your Own A/C?

[itsnotanova]

Harbor Freight sells an AC kit for $50 and a vacuum pump for $150. Recharging or adding Freon with the kit is very easy

[Seadweller]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

Harbor Freight sells an AC kit for $50 and a vacuum pump for $150. Recharging or adding Freon with the kit is very easy

Thanks Woody...Do you need to worry about replacing the oil as well, or does that remain in the system after the freon is evacuated?

[Vtx531]

Don’t do it. As said before, you have to completely drain the system of refrigerant, then pull out a deep vacuum, then refill based on weight.

Yes, It can be done by DIY but is pretty in depth to do it right and not mess things up. There are different specific types of oil that need to be added at the correct qty so you don’t burn up your ac compressor. It is easy to inadvertently introduce air or moisture into the system. If you are so inclined, I suggest going to the library because there are entire books written about the subject of automotive refrigeration and AC.

The only reason you system would need to be “topped off” is if there is a leak - and if there is a leak it needs to be fixed. So topping up would be temporary and most likely cause more problems down the road.

Bottom line -

Don’t ever buy these ac fill up cans unless:
1. you are very poor
2. your car is worth $1000 or less
3. your ac is blowing hot air
3. You are not going to keep the car much longer

[Vtx531]

Originally Posted by Seadweller

Thanks Woody...Do you need to worry about replacing the oil as well, or does that remain in the system after the freon is evacuated?

Some of it remains in the system, depending on which exact parts you replace (to fix your leak) there are specific charts to determine how much of the oil you need to replace.

[Vtx531]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

Harbor Freight sells an AC kit for $50 and a vacuum pump for $150. Recharging or adding Freon with the kit is very easy

Autozone rents both for free. Make sure you change the oil in the rental unit with fresh vacuum pump oil because moisture gets in the oil over time and affects the amount of vacuum that can b pulled out of the system.