Shaners

Hi,

Anyone know where the low pressure valve is for the AC? Got a can to refill it (don't have time to get to a garage).

Thanks

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

As I recall, it's along the firewall on the passenger side; cap is marked "LOW".

Shaners

I think i'm blind, is it up to the left or right of the washer fluid cap?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

the cap usually has an L or an H on it. (at least other cars I've driven did...)

Shaners

Yeah I had found the H valve up by the battery but can't seem to spot the L, may look a bit more tomorrow.

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

After you take the cover off, it's somewhere in this area.

ecsw

how often do you refill it?

ken-x8

Hopefully never. This is something you do if the system develops a small leak, small enough that adding a can of refrigerant every couple of years is less trouble than getting it fixed.

If you do need to add refrigerant, make sure you know what you're doing, and get a refill kit with a pressure gauge.

Ken

Shaners

Found it! It was under another tube so couldn't see it when looking down on it but spotted it from the side.

Topped up the AC Gas and it's cold again but will have to wait and see if the pressure is stable.

ecsw

I thought refrigerant also ran out every few years? Like the AC is not as cold as it used to be for some car?

I know that u can get the can from WalMart to fill it yourself too?

ken-x8

It's not supposed to leak out. AC on my wife's 15 year old Camry still works like new, but that's the only car we've owned where that happened. I think the majority of cars eventually leak, which is why you can buy refill kits at WalMart and other fine purveyors of auto parts.

R12 systems had a sight glass, which made it very easy to tell the state of charge. I don't think R134a systems do - at least my wife's Camry and my 8 don't. That means you need to learn a bit more about diagnosing why your AC is weak before just adding refrigerant.

Ken

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

wow - never heard of these refill kits before - wonder if we can get them here in nz .I always thought you had to go to a auto AC specialist and pay muchos dollereos to do that ....

Shaners

Well in Ireland I got it in Halfords and it comes with a pressure gauge so you can see what PSI it is currently at. Mine was pretty much empty so I put gas in until it went into the blue zone on the gauge as described. Could then hear something kicking in and the AC started blowing cold air.

ecsw

yap, I never heard it before either until one of my friend ask me if I want those kits while he travel down to US. It's not available in Canada, but u can buy them in Wal-mart easily in US.

newguy

just buy the hose kit with gauge and it should come with a bottle and the instructions will tell you how much psi according to outside temperature. on most gauges ive seen yellow is low blue is good and red is over filled at 80*-90* outside. check with car warmed up and ac on full blast

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

Here's a pressure chart, A/C set on recirculate, fan speed on h, engine @ 1500 RPM.

tsxmidship

a/c systems are theoretically never supposed to be leak. If you look at the refrigeration system for a refrigerator or freezer, they don't leak or need to be 'recharged' every few years. If i remember correctly, they don't even have service ports. They tend to last decades without needing servicing. If the system fails, the solution is usually to buy a new refrigerator(since broken one is probably outdated by then)

Cars on the other hand have service ports because the a/c system is subjected to vibrations, temperature variations, physical damage(accidents), etc. The ports are there in case repairs needed to be made to the system due to damage.