Everything you Need to Know About Air Con Recharge

Have you started feeling a bit uncomfortable in the car’s cabin despite the air conditioning? It could be because your AC is out of the refrigerant and needs a recharge. This mainly happens because of two reasons, the car is too old, or there is a leakage in the delivery system, in which case the refrigerant gas sneaks out.

But, it is very easy to fix this situation; you just have to seal the entire refrigeration system and recharge the coolant. All the essential tools for this process are easily available in the market, and recharging the refrigerant is quite affordable. Here is an article on everything you need to know about air con recharge.

The Functioning of the Car’s Air Conditioning

The usual car AC has three components, the compressor, condenser and evaporator. The condenser and evaporator are two radiators connected in a loop, and the evaporator is situated in between.

First, the compressor takes the r-134a, which is a low-pressure gas and compresses it. It then sends this compressed gas to the condenser, which creates heat.

This liquid refrigerant then travels to the evaporator, which allows it to travel into the cabin and expand. A fan is adjusted over the evaporator to direct the cool air and maintain the cabin’s temperature.

Additionally, you must ensure that the entire refrigeration system is free of moisture because the refrigerant gets both hot and cold. Any sort of ice formation in the compressor will damage it.

Guide to Air Con Recharge

First, I would like to warn you about these instructions; they are merely an overview of the process, and each step must be followed cautiously. This article won’t be responsible for any sort of damage to you or the vehicle.

What Do You Need: Refer to the owner’s manual to find out what kind of refrigeration your vehicle uses. However, if your vehicle is older than 1994, this article won’t work for you.

Now, you need two 12 pounds cans of r-134a gas, which is easily available in a hardware store. You will also need a gas dispenser and a pair of goggles to protect your eyes against unwarranted sparks.

Assemble the Dispenser: Put on your goggles before moving ahead with this process. Open the refrigerant can and put the dispenser’s bottom over it. The dispenser has a needle in it, which pierces through the can. Screw the dispenser’s nozzle all the way so that it is tightly sealed.

Engage the Compressor: Locate the compressor using the owner’s manual if you have difficulty finding it. Now, start the engine and turn on your ac to the maximum. See that the centre pulley in the compressor is spinning. If the pulley is spinning in its complete flow, you have successfully engaged the compressor. If not, take the car to a mechanic.

Locate the Refrigerant Fill Port: This can be a bit hazardous because you will have to work close to the engine bay, which gets very hot. Now, always look for the lid on the refrigerant port’s low-pressure side with an L marking on it. If you stumble upon the high-pressure side, you will end up burning yourself.

Connect the Dispenser Pipe: At the back of the engine bay, a firewall is present. From the firewall, you will notice two hoses coming out. One hose is larger than the other; follow the larger hose to locate the fill port.

Take the connector and hold it tightly over the hose. Squeeze the connector’s trigger to get rid of any air. Now release the connector’s cap, and it will adjust itself firmly in the place.

Start the Recharge Process: You can start the air con recharge Leamington Spa process by adjusting the pressure according to the dispenser’s table. If the pressure is below the minimum acceptable level, start the filling process. Pull the trigger for 5-10 seconds and shake the can but never turn it upside down. Once the pressure equalises, you are good to go.