How to Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner

without using an auto mechanic in Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida

In most cases people do not know that they are able to recharge their car's air cooling system by themselves. You don’t need to know the entire cooling system as your auto repair professional does. Recharging your car’s air conditioner is not more than adding a refrigerant! By doing this simple maintenance you will be saving a nice amount of money which will otherwise go to any auto mechanic shop to which you decide to turn for help.

To save money and time for auto repair you can practice some of the standard auto repair techniques that will make you more capable of doing some basic and easy things by yourself. You can successfully recharge your air conditioner with kits available at any auto parts store or auto mechanic shop, and they come fairly cheap. Keep in mind that do-it-yourself charging will be easier in case you are equipped with a kit that has a pressure gauge.

Before you start, make sure that you are wearing safety glasses and also avoid any contact between your skin and the refrigerant. Also, check what type of refrigerant you already have in the system since mixing various types of refrigerants is not advisable. You are not a professional auto mechanic shop but nevertheless, you can also do it properly if you follow all the steps on how to do it. Unfortunately, not everyone likes to take the time to read the directions that are readily provided with the recharging kit.

The most common mistake in do-it-yourselfers charging is overcharging. The system needs a certain amount of refrigerant to work appropriately. That is why it is important to check system specifications on how much refrigerant is required. You can also ask auto repair shops for this data. So, the first rule is - Do Not overcharge!

First, you need to find out what type of refrigerant is needed. Most of refrigerants are incompatible. During the nineties manufactures improved the refrigerant system by replacing the old ones with new "ozone-safe" ones. In fact, it is illegal, in most cases, to use a refrigerant that is not "ozone friendly". Freon is considered to be unsafe to the atmosphere.

Open the valve on the hose or on the set with a gauge to blow the air out. This will keep the moisture away from your air conditioner system.

While using the supplier's directions, make connections between the can of refrigerant and valve set with the recharging hose. A connection should be made between the hose and the underside of the air conditioner system. The low pressure charging port is close or on the accumulator. Often, your car or truck will have an "L" label on the underside cap. Also,"H" is labeled on the upper side cap.

The refrigerant should be held strictly in the upright position. Start your car and follow level of refrigerant. Air conditioner should be turned on high cool, high fan.

Start the engine by pressing the trigger and wait until compressor pulls the refrigerant substance into the system and empties the can. The hotter the outside temperature, the more quickly charging will be completed. Three to four cans usually are needed to completely recharge an air conditioning system that was empty.

The can needs approximately around ten minutes to become empty. Don’t be anxious if it takes more time. Slowly disconnect the charging hose from system when the charging is completed.

If the system often needs to be recharged, you probably have leaks in the system. Spray soapy water on fittings and if bubbles appear, you have a leak. This is the sign that the whole system should be replaced. There is no other solution for this problem except to request help from a qualified auto mechanic shop.

By learning how to recharge your car’s air conditioner by yourself, you will be saving up to $100 you would spend on an auto repair service! Also, the savings become even more important if we calculate time spent waiting for your car at an auto mechanic shop.