Car AC Recharge Kits Work
When your car’s air conditioning blows warm instead of ice-cold, it is usually time to get it recharged. Fortunately, there are easy to use manual recharging kits available at most auto parts stores for under $50 that include a can of refrigerant, a hose and a gauge. They can be purchased along with an R-134a or newer, ozone-friendly replacement refrigerant (R1234yf). However, do these kits really work? And, more importantly, should you try a DIY recharge kit or just take your cooling problem to a pro?
The main function of your vehicle’s air conditioning system is to remove heat from the passenger cabin and vent it outside. The cooling system uses refrigerant gas to move from the compressor through a series of hoses and fittings to the evaporator, where it cools the air before it is directed into the cabin. Refrigerant is a colorless, odorless liquid that is found in a pressurized container inside your car’s refrigerant lines. The system works best when there is sufficient refrigerant present to circulate around the evaporator, which pulls heat from the air and carries it away through the hoses.
Low refrigerant is most often caused by a leak, which is not always easy to spot because the system is a closed system and you can’t see or smell leaks. The refrigerant, which is odorless and tasteless, is pulled out of the system by the air conditioner’s evaporator core. A leak in the evaporator, receiver, compressor or any of the many seals in your air conditioning system will cause the refrigerant to lose pressure and leave the system.
Do Car AC Recharge Kits Work?
A common off-the-shelf manual recharging kit contains a stop leak sealer, which is intended to plug small leaks. Unfortunately, the sealer can gunk up your system’s hoses, pump and compressor over time. This can result in irreparable damage and costly repairs.
In addition, these types of recharging kits can make it easier to overcharge the system. Many off-the-shelf manual car ac recharge kit contain refrigerant that is incompatible with the type of refrigerant in your car’s system, or they may have a simplified pressure gauge that can’t accurately read the weight of the refrigerant. This can lead to blowing a hose, damaging the compressor or both and costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.
If you do decide to go the DIY route, look for a high quality kit that is compatible with your vehicle’s R-134a or R1234yf. It should include a can of the correct refrigerant, a hose with quick-connect fittings and a gauge. A quality kit will cost more than a cheap kit, but it is well worth the investment because you’ll get an accurate, foolproof refrigerant fill with no leaks. The extra money spent is also likely to pay for itself in fewer expensive AC repair bills down the road.
Modern cars often feature a standardized design for the low-pressure port, making it easier for technicians to locate and service. Typically identifiable by its blue or black cap with an “L” stamped on it, the port is often situated near the firewall on the passenger side of the engine compartment. However, its exact location can vary depending on the vehicle make and model.