Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/step-by-step-instructions-to-recharge-your-car-ac-system-369

This guide contains information on how to recharge your air conditioner system with appropriate refrigerant.

Low refrigerant

If your car A/C does not work properly, we mean it does not have a right cooling effect; it is simply because of low refrigerant. To fix the problem, the only thing you could do is to recharge the system with proper refrigerants. Just with a simple service hose connection and some cans of refrigerant, you can easily do this job on your own.


If your car A/C does not work properly, it is simply because of low refrigerant

Precautions

Before getting started, make sure that you have your eyes protected by safety glasses and at the same time, keep your skin away from the refrigerant since the chilling effort of spilled one may result in frostbite on unprotected eyes and skin.

Types of refrigerant

It is necessary to learn about what kinds of refrigerant your A/C needs to make sure you recharge the A/C with appropriate refrigerant.


The proper refrigerant for light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles manufactured since 1995 is R134a


Older models, on the other hand, use R12 as original refrigerant

Normally, the proper one for light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles manufactured since 1995 is R134a. Older models, on the other hand, use R12 as original refrigerant. However, this type of refrigerant is very expensive and is not available to DIY car owners. Therefore, when recharging refrigerant in these old cars, recycled R12 from other classic models can be utilized. Nonetheless, you have to bring your vehicle to maintenance centers for professional sẻvice. With some proper modifications, R134a can also be an alternative to the R12.

Caution: You should not mix different kinds of refrigerants together. Unless you want to convert an R12 system to R134a or other types, it is highly recommended to use the similar one which is in your A/C system already.

Locate service fittings

The next step is locating low and high service fittings (SF) on the system. The low SF usually sits on the suction hose or line that flows from the accumulator to the compressor. In the meantime, the high fitting is mounted in the line going from the compressor to the condenser.


There are two side fittings: low and high pressure service fittings

Both low- and high-pressure SFs are quick-connect type on R134a systems while these of R12 systems are screw-type Schrader valves. The high unit is bigger than the low one.

Recharge procedure

- Step #1. Have the valve and service hose connected to a can of refrigerant.
- Step #2. Perforate the can by turning the valve on the service hose.
- Step #3. To discharge a moderate volume of refrigerant to the service hose as well as blowing air out of it, gradually turn the valve back out.
- Step #4. Lock the valve to prevent refrigerant from going out, then quickly link the other tip of the hose with the low SF, not the high unit.

Connecting a can of refrigerant with the high SF might cause the can to blow up, though this may be impossible since the hose will fit the low SF only.

- Step #5. Lastly, keep the can bold upright to prevent any refrigerant liquids from entering the service hose. If the liquids get in, the compressor can be ruined.

For clearer instructions, watch this video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdq8JAlct6s
How to Properly Recharge Your AC System

Source: https://naijauto.com/car-maintenance/step-by-step-instructions-to-recharge-your-car-ac-system-369