Wednesday 19 March 2014

Recharging Your Air Conditioner with Freon

Prior to recharging the air conditioning system of your car, ensure that it has the latest R134 refrigerant and not R12 refrigerant. Check the car owner’s manual or the repair manual. In case you do have a repair manual then you will have to do it yourself. 

Cars which are manufactured after 1994 are most probable to have R134 refrigerant. In order to get the air conditioner recharged you will be required to follow the below mentioned steps:

If your AC system has been refilled before and you want to get it recharged again, then looking for leaks is a good thing to start with. In order to get a briefing on the system of air conditioners, search for ways the AC system operates.

To get the AC recharged, a pressurized refrigerant also known as Freon along with a pressure gauge through which the quantity is checked in the system. There are many tools and kits available for recharging the AC system however; these tools are good for professionals or those who have to maintain a fleet of cars. If this is not your case, then the all-in-one toolkit is best for you. These kits include a can of R134 and a pressure gauge. 

Getting the recharge kit ready

The items within the recharge kit should be assembled as per instructions. Make sure that the knob on the gauge is turned clockwise until it stops and then hose it in the refrigerant. The assembly includes a pin which opens up the can after every part is attached tightly. Moving the gauge in a counterclockwise manner will pierce the pin into the can allowing it to open up. 

Assemble the AC recharge kit

After a safe retraction of the piercing pin, it is time to assemble the kit and the pressure gauge. Screw tightly the rubber hose with the pressure gauge. At this point, you should also calibrate the gauge. There are different temperature settings at the face of the gauge turn the calibration dial to the temperature of the area.

Tracing the port of low pressure

AC system comprises of two sides – the low pressure and the high pressure side however, this greatly depends upon the relation with the compressor. AC systems are recharged via the low pressure port. The caps of the ports are marked as ‘H’ for high and ‘L’ for low pressure ports however, you can check with the manual for double checking. Attach the hose with the low port.

Cleaning the low pressure port

Any debris entering into the air conditioning system might cause it to fail prematurely. In order to avoid this, clean the outer side of the cap before opening the low pressure port and again after opening the cap.

Attach the hose and test the pressure

Seal off the gauge by turning it clockwise and then attach to the AC port. Attach the rubber hose to the pressure gauge by using a simple and quick latching mechanism. All you have to do is to pull the fitting back outside, slide it slowly over the low pressure port and then release it. Now start the AC at high temperature and see how much pressure the gauge is building. Leave for a few minutes to get the gauge settled down and to see how much you need to recharge the system.

Adding refrigerant

Turn the gauge counterclockwise to get the piercing retracted. Attach the pressure gauge with the refrigerant can. Now turn the gauge clockwise. Attaché the rubber hose with the low port and switch on the AC. Leave for a minute o get it pressurized and then turn the gauge counterclockwise to release the R134 solution into the system. The outside temperature will indicate when the system is full. Slowly rotate the refrigerant back and your AC system has been recharged successfully.

Article Credit:  http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/ss/AC-recharge.htm


seo@pixionwebdesign.com

No comments:

Post a Comment