A/C Pro refrigerant do-it-yourself review

[drewhinkle]

I bought a can of the self-proclaimed "best" a/c refrigerant do-it-yourself kit from Advance Auto, and this is my experience...

I got the top-of-the line $45 20oz version that comes with the built-in pressure gauge and follow the instructions to the letter. It took a long time to empty the can (20 minutes?) and the pressure never changed on the gauge (25 psi). According to the gauge and instructions the a/c system should have been full at around 42 psi.

I took it to my local independent Land Rover repair shop and mentioned it to the owner. He said that the can of freon is worthless because it doesn't have enough pressure to get into the rover's system. He charged me only $75 to evacuate the system for 1/2 hour and put the correct (measured) amount of freon in (along with a dye for any future leaks).

For me, this is a no-brainer: Pay $75 to have it done properly by professionals, or pay $45 to open up a can of R134a into the atmosphere and waste my personal time.

 

[JohnB]

Those all in one cans seem like a gimmick to me.

Was your pump activated with the engine running while you tried to add the gas?

 

[drewhinkle]

Yep, engine and a/c compressor were running during the fill.

 

[mgreenspan]

Were you shaking the can while re-filling? I used one of these types of cans on a friends Honda Accord. It worked really well. The can got super cold, borderline uncomfortable, while re-filling the system. His AC returned to cold after using it.

 

[jymmiejamz]

FWIW I have access to an a/c machine and free refrigerant, and still sometimes use the cans. The cans of a/c refrigerant have seal sweller that works pretty well on older a/c systems. I've had good success with them, but your results may vary.

 

[JohnB]

Holding the can upside down works well also.

 

[jymmiejamz]

If I remember correctly, you are supposed to hold the can vertical for a few seconds, then rotate it to be horizontal for a few seconds as you are filling it.

 

[drewhinkle]

As mentioned in my first post, I followed the instructions to the letter, which included all of your "tips". Frankly, this is child's play and should have worked. The fact that the pressure NEVER changed but the can emptied should speak for itself. However, let's say that it DID work. It's still a rip-off! $45 to put in your own freon - or $75 to have a professional remove your freon, vacuum the system for 1/2 hours, and re-charge? This isn't rocket science...

 

[jafir]

So you paid too much. $45 will get you a set of gauges at harbor freight if you have a coupon. Then you can charge your own a/c for $8 a can.

 

[FB111]

If you know what you are doing the cans work fine. Did the Harbor Freight routine for the gauges and a vacuum pump. Put 4 cans in my Rangie and its nice and cold.

 

[JohnB]

As mentioned in my first post, I followed the instructions to the letter, which included all of your "tips". Frankly, this is child's play and should have worked. The fact that the pressure NEVER changed but the can emptied should speak for itself. However, let's say that it DID work. It's still a rip-off! $45 to put in your own freon - or $75 to have a professional remove your freon, vacuum the system for 1/2 hours, and re-charge? This isn't rocket science...

I think you did the correct thing. Upon failing to get your ac working you took it to a pro.

Myself I tend to keep trying until I figure it out. Read up, research, try again. Buy tools, whatever.

 

[jafir]

I think you did the correct thing.

This is a true statement, everyone has to figure out what kind of jobs they are comfortable doing, and also which jobs make financial sense to them. For me, I go through cars so fast, it only makes sense to buy the equipment and do my own A/C. If you only touch it once every 5 years, it probably wouldn't make sense.

 

[RoverbyProxy]

One thing that will help to get the most out of those cans is to heat them up a bit. This raises the pressure in the can you help overcome what is in the low side.

 

[SGaynor]

Holding the can upside down works well also.

That'll slug the compressor. Not a good idea.

Only vapor (gas) is supposed to be added, not liquid.

 

[lrover94]

I used it with great results....

 

[Rover_Hokie]

I picked up the brochure for the Pro gauge that had a picture of the "V" grid outside air temp range values that overlaid the low side pressure gauge psi scale. I used this handy "cheat sheet" to help me determine the target of low side pressure to shoot for when using my gauge set. I picked up the gauge set cheap enough on Amazon as well as a vacuum pump. Both Robinair brand and worked well.

A/C Gauge Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M1DBPS/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vaccum Pump
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CO9FDW/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1