Overcharging a car's AC with too much Freon can actually lead to some less-than-chill outcomes. It's a bit like pouring too much coffee into your mug in the morning. Sure, you're looking for that wake-up buzz, but overdo it and you're dealing with a hot mess on your hands, or worse, a scalded lap.
An AC leak will lead to warmer air from your vents over time. In most cases this can be fixed with a proven stop leak additive to seal up any leaks. When it's time for an AC recharge, turn to AutoZone.
Faulty Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are responsible for absorbing heat from the cabin of the car, and if they're not working properly, they won't be able to remove enough heat from the air. This can cause the low side pressure to be too high, which will prevent the AC from blowing cold air.
This can be caused by an electrical fault in the A/C compressor circuit or the magnetic clutch that drives the compressor. Another cause could be an internal obstruction inside the refrigerant circuit that is preventing refrigerant from circulating inside the A/C system.
Before releasing the refrigerant into the port, turn on the vehicle and turn the AC on to its max temperature.
What is the average cost of a car AC recharge? The average cost of a car AC recharge can range from $100 to $300, depending on the vehicle and location.
Most cars hold between 28 and 32 ounces of refrigerant (or about 2—3 12oz cans), however larger vehicles and those with rear A/C will likely hold more. Check your vehicle manual for the system capacity for your specific vehicle.
Having too much refrigerant in your AC can damage the compressor. This can happen because the excess refrigerant will likely collect inside the compressor and cause subcooling, wherein temperatures are below normal. Furthermore, the extra refrigerant can flood the compressor and damage its mechanical parts.
If it takes longer and longer for your home to cool off, it could indicate a problem with refrigerant. Your indoor thermostat might be inching up in temperature and humidity for no explainable reason. Another classic symptom is if your air conditioner doesn't cool well during the day, but catches up in the evening.
Signs of an overcharged air conditioner are: Reduced Cooling: Your system may struggle to cool the room or take longer than usual. Higher Energy Bills: Overcharging can reduce the system's efficiency, causing it to work harder and consume more energy.
The high side fitting is located between the AC compressor and condenser and is the larger of the two fittings. Consult the service manual to verify the exact location of the low-side service port. If hooking a can of refrigerant with a single hose/gauge to the car, you will use the low side.
Refrigerant can leak slowly from your car's air conditioning system over time, but recharging your car's air conditioning system so it once again blows cold air is an easy DIY task and takes just about 15 minutes.
If there's not enough freon, it won't engage and you won't hear that click. Another more serious symptom of low freon levels is a visible sign of a refrigerant leak. You can tell that it's freon if it looks like thin grease in liquid state.
While O'Reilly Auto Parts cannot recharge your vehicle's air conditioning system for you, we carry the parts, tools, and helpful resources to help you get the job done right.
How long does an air-con recharge take? The Car Air Conditioning recharge process takes about 45-60 minutes to completely remove the old gas and refill with fresh refrigerant.
Common Causes of an Air Conditioner Blowing Warm or Hot Air
These can be due to clogging issues, electrical problems, low refrigerant, evaporator coil malfunctions, or compressor problems. If you've ever had the ac system in your car stop functioning, it's often due to a refrigerant leak or dirty coil.
If your compressor will not engage, add half a can of freon. If it still will not turn, it is likely broken. Do not add more refrigerant! You will need a mechanic to repair this problem.
Warm Air from the Vents
If the compressor is fine, it will push cold air into the cabin of your vehicle. If you begin to notice warm or even hot air coming out of the vents, this is a clear indication that the compressor is not functioning properly.
If your AC is running but not cooling, it could be due to a dirty air filter, incorrect thermostat settings, a malfunctioning thermostat, a refrigerant leak, dirty condenser coils, blocked vents or ducts, a faulty compressor, frozen evaporator coils, or electrical issues.