recharge a car’s A/C system with a kit

When your car’s air conditioning stops working, you want it fixed ASAP. Luckily, the problem is often quite simple and easy for an ASE-certified mechanic to diagnose and fix. Whether your AC is blowing hot or not at all, there’s a chance it’s just low on refrigerant. So can you use a car AC recharge kit to fix it?

Most at-home a/c recharge kit for car contain refrigerant and a hose with a pressure gauge. They typically instruct you to assemble the gauge and attach it to the low pressure port on your vehicle’s AC compressor. Then, you’re ready to start recharging.

Many AC recharge kits include a “stop leak” sealer, which helps to plug minor leaks and stop them from getting worse. However, the chemicals can eat away at parts of your system such as the compressor and hoses. The hoses can also get filled with water, which leads to sludge and other issues.

How long does it take to recharge a car’s A/C system with a kit?

A recharge kit may seem like a cheap and quick fix, but it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. It’s important to have an ASE-certified mechanic examine your car’s AC to make sure the compressor, accumulator/drier and other components are functioning correctly. If not, your mechanic will repair or replace the components and test the system to make sure it’s operating as it should.

It’s important to know how to use a pressure gauge before using an at-home AC recharge kit. The pressure gauges included in most recharge kits are a simplified version of the one on a professional AC service machine. This makes it harder to accurately measure the amount of refrigerant added to the system. Overfilling your AC system can damage the compressor and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

While a recharging kit can help your AC system start blowing cool air again, it’s not a good solution to permanent problems such as leaking compressors or broken evaporator cores. You’ll still need to address these issues by replacing the compressor or repairing any damaged components.

Before using a recharge kit, read the instructions carefully to ensure you’re adding the correct amount of refrigerant and charging at the right pressure. The instructions should provide a chart for what the pressure should be based on the ambient temperature where you’re driving. If you don’t have the instructions, consult a repair manual or look up your AC type online to find out what pressure your system needs. It’s also best to use a professional AC recharge machine to avoid contaminating the refrigerant and causing further damage to the system. And don’t forget to remove the plastic safety disc from the top of the can and put it in a safe place when you’re done. This is a common mistake that can lead to serious damage to your air conditioning compressor or hoses.