Air conditioning refill

[rosw3ll]

My A/c doesnt work. I tried recharging it with the canned coolant, but as I was filling it, it just leaked out. What do you think the problem is? Is there any way I can determine what it is? How would I know if the compressor is bad? Thanks!

[JScullin]

Was the nozzle locked in place firmly & the car running with the A/C on full tilt?

You can get one of those leak kits with the UV googles and black light that would show you where it's coming from.

[rosw3ll]

yep, the nozzle was in, and i had the A/C on, but not full blast, just 1 notch down from full blast. all of it leaked out immediately as i was putting it in. it came out somewhere down by the serpentine belt

[JScullin]

Sounds like it wasn't secured properly. A/C should be on MAX A/C and the fans on 4.

The nozzle should lock down in place. You gotta force it down and hear it click before venting the can.

[rosw3ll]

well, it wasnt coming out of where i was putting it in at, it was coming out somewhere down the line where i couldnt see it (it was down underneath a bunch of crap). Still think that could be the problem?

[branchedout]

did you put it in through the high or low pressure side? was it coming out by the ac compressor?

[JScullin]

Originally Posted by rosw3ll

well, it wasnt coming out of where i was putting it in at, it was coming out somewhere down the line where i couldnt see it (it was down underneath a bunch of crap). Still think that could be the problem?

No. You obviously have a leak in the line. That UV stuff will help you pinpoint it.

[rosw3ll]

I think it was coming out somewhere down by the compressor, but i cant see. how do i know which side is the high or low pressure side?

[zorrex]

Do yourself a favor and bring it to a good A/C mechanic. You will be running in circles doing it yourself and probably not do it right.

[brapple]

first off never try working on the AC system with out the correct tools. This means a gauge set! Never use the refill kits that you can get at walmart, autozone etc, they only give you a slight picture of what is going on with the AC system

to know what is going on in the AC system you need to have the proper gauge set. This mean you have to monitor the low and high side pressures. Do note that the pressures are affected by the ambient temp when the testing is done.

first how does the compressor run? does it run at all? if so does it short cycle? what are your system pressures? when was teh last time the AC worked correctly?

now never just fill the system. to properly fill the system it needs to be brought to a vacuum first. air in the system will decease the systems ability to cool!

Now chances are since you need to add coolant, or think that you need to, you most likely have a leak. This means getting a can of R-134a that has UV dye in it. track the leak down and fix it before filling the system.

note your system could be full at it could be a clutch air gap problem ... and now you have over filled the system ...

check your accumulator under the battery as they all rust through because of the foam on them from the factory. It retains moisture


bottom line, if you are not going to invest in the correct tools to work on the AC system take it to a shop.

if you have more questions please ask...