Adding Freon to Your Automobile's Air Condtioning System (2023)

FAQs

Adding Freon to Your Automobile's Air Condtioning System? ›

One reason you'll want to keep your car running when using freon is that it will help you determine whether you added the freon correctly. Because if you don't add the freon the right way, your AC will not get colder. And, of course, you won't know if the air conditioner is getting colder if the car is off.

One reason you'll want to keep your car running when using freon is that it will help you determine whether you added the freon correctly. Because if you don't add the freon the right way, your AC will not get colder. And, of course, you won't know if the air conditioner is getting colder if the car is off.

Freon settles in an air conditioner in a matter of minutes. Though, it depends on the type of air conditioner too. If the air conditioner is portable, it takes about 5-30 minutes for the Freon to settle. This time must be dedicated to the appliance for it to function properly.

If you see a very high pressure on the high side gauge and very low pressure on the low side gauge, there's a Freon blockage. Start by checking the expansion valve or orifice tube. You'll likely need to clean or replace it. If the pressure differential is 150 psi or more, you can recharge the Freon.

Refrigerant can leak slowly from your car's air conditioning system over time, but recharging the system so it once again blows cold air is an easy DIY task and takes just about 15 minutes.

Most carmakers recommend that you recharge your air conditioning system every two years.

The most common causes of broken air conditioning are leaks or compressor issues. If your air is blowing cool but not cold, the problem could be a clogged filter, cooling fan problem, radiator trouble, or it could simply be that you need to recharge your AC.

It can seem counterintuitive, but too much refrigerant in your car's AC system can create too much pressure and heat, which could be why yours is now blowing out hot hair. If left unaddressed, an overcharged AC system in your car can damage the AC compressor.

Having too much refrigerant in your AC can damage the compressor. This can happen because the excess refrigerant will likely collect inside the compressor and cause subcooling, wherein temperatures are below normal. Furthermore, the extra refrigerant can flood the compressor and damage its mechanical parts.

Can AC be low on Freon without a leak? ›

All that said, a refrigerant leak is not the only reason you might feel a low cooling output from your air conditioner. While this is definitely a symptom, it's also a potential system of: A Miscalibrated Thermostat: Check your thermostat.

If you need help performing this, or any AC recharge or service, check out our list of preferred shops in your area that can help. Or, if you'd like to tackle the job yourself, AutoZone has all the tools and refrigerant to service your R-134A or R-12 vehicle.

You should not attempt to continue running an air conditioner with low levels of refrigerant because many of the parts of your air conditioner require a set level of this chemical blend in order to work properly.

When your AC's refrigerant is low, it causes a lot of problems for your system. The coils can freeze over which causes the unit to fail to cool the house properly, wasting energy and raising your electric bills. Leaving refrigerant levels low can also cause damage to the compressor which can be costly to replace.

Turn on the compressor and depress the access valve on the high side. This time, when gas is no longer coming out the high side access valve, let the valve close. The air is now purged from the system. 8 – Charge the system with the appropriate amount of refrigerant and turn on the compressor.

A car A/C blowing hot air is often the result of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a liquid that circulates through your car's A/C system, expanding and contracting as it removes heat and humidity from the cabin. None of the other A/C components will function correctly without proper refrigerant levels.

Refrigerant Leak: A refrigerant leak can cause the AC system to lose pressure and fail to blow cold air. This is often the most common reason why a recharge may not solve the problem. It is important to have the system checked for leaks and repaired before recharging.

Every auto air conditioning system has two service ports: one on the high pressure and one on the low pressure side. When recharging with AC Avalanche refrigerant, for safety, you will charge through the low side service port. Never charge through the high side port.

When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone. We carry R134a refrigerant, PAG46 oil, AC stop leak, AC system cleaner, and more.

Why is my AC not blowing cold air but refrigerant is full? ›

If your central AC is not blowing cold air, the refrigerant may be the problem. The unit could be running low and need additional refrigerant added. The most likely cause of this is a leak. A leak not only keeps the AC unit from cooling properly, but also it can cause other issues within the home.

If the air conditioner is blowing cold air but not cooling the house, there could be a leak in the home to the outside. Check that all of the windows and doors are closed. If the air feels cooler than the room temperature, it may not actually be the desired temperature and could be just the fan blowing.

Use a wrench to loosen the cap on the low-pressure port, and carefully attach the refrigerant gauge set to the port. Slowly open the valve on the refrigerant gauge set to allow some of the excess refrigerant to escape. Be sure to wear protective gloves and goggles to avoid injury.

Ideally, a freon should last in a car for around 3-4 years. Leaks, adverse weather, and frequent use of the system may demand more frequent inspections. With good care and maintenance, freon gas life can extend up to five years.

Most cars hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about 2—3 12oz cans), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely hold more. Check your vehicle manual for the system capacity for your specific vehicle.

Two cans will fill most modern cars. Very big or older cars might take 3 cans.

Typical residential systems hold between 5 and 20 pounds of refrigerant. On average it's about 3 pounds per ton (12,000 BTU) of air conditioning. For a brand new system, it's very easy for us.

Freon leaks are typically found at the schrader valve, valve cores, evaporator coil, copper lines, “U” connectors, weld joints, electrical connection to the compressor body, or the copper tubing. Most of the time, the leak will usually occur in the evaporator coil.

Can you buy freon and put it in your car yourself? ›

You can recharge the system yourself with a charging kit and some refrigerant, as long as your car uses r134a refrigerant. First, you'll need to check for leaks. Then, check the refrigerant pressure and test your system. Finally, you can add your refrigerant and finish the recharge.

On average, expect the labor cost to be anywhere from $150 to $500. This means the total cost could be anywhere from $160 to $1000 or more, depending on the part that has to get replaced.

Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost

As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.

One of the most obvious symptoms of low Freon levels is if your air conditioner is blowing warm or room temperature air. As we discussed, the air conditioning system in your vehicle operates by circulating this pressurized refrigerant. When the amount drops too low, it eventually affects performance.

Low refrigerant also damages the compressor, the “heart” of the air conditioner where the liquid refrigerant is squeezed into a high pressure gas. The compressor is designed to match the refrigerant charge, and if it drops, the compressor will start to overwork and will soon break.

If you need to charge your automotive A/C (add refrigerant), it should be done when the ambient temperature is above 65° F, to allow the system to build up enough pressure for a gauge reading. Therefore, this is not generally recommended during the frigid days of winter.

If you need help performing this, or any AC recharge or service, check out our list of preferred shops in your area that can help. Or, if you'd like to tackle the job yourself, AutoZone has all the tools and refrigerant to service your R-134A or R-12 vehicle.

Under EPA regulations, only a certified professional can recharge your home's HVAC system. You should never try to recharge the A/C yourself, even if you have a home air conditioner recharging kit. The refrigerant used can be harmful to you and the environment if it's not handled properly.

Common Reasons AC Doesn't Run Cold

The most common causes of broken air conditioning leaks or compression issues. If you are feeling cool — but not cold — air, the issue could be a clogged filter, a problem with the cooling fan, signs of radiator trouble, or it could simply mean it's time to recharge your AC.

Most cars hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about 2—3 12oz cans), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely hold more.

How long does a freon charge last in car? ›

How often does freon need to be replaced in a car? Most AC systems in a car last for around 3-4 years, or five years, with recharging freon. Freon is a refrigerant recirculated in a closed system in your car to cool the interior.

The general guideline used when calculating the amount of Freon in a residential A/C unit is 2-4 pounds per ton of cooling. For example, if you install a new A/C system rated for a five-ton load, the system will require 10-20 pounds of refrigerant.

Every auto air conditioning system has two service ports: one on the high pressure and one on the low pressure side. When recharging with AC Avalanche refrigerant, for safety, you will charge through the low side service port. Never charge through the high side port.

The correct amount of refrigerant lets the AC system cool your air correctly and efficiently, maintaining the correct pressure levels and system functions. Too much refrigerant leads to an overcharged air conditioner, which can reduce your unit's efficiency and cause several other problems for your system.

It can seem counterintuitive, but too much refrigerant in your car's AC system can create too much pressure and heat, which could be why yours is now blowing out hot hair. If left unaddressed, an overcharged AC system in your car can damage the AC compressor.

Freon is a refrigerant. The material absorbs the heat your air conditioner produces. Then the refrigerant line leads the heated refrigerant to the outside air, where the heat can dissipate. Without freon, your air conditioning system can't regulate its temperature, and no freon at all would overheat your system.