Unlike oil changes, you should not need to change or refill your vehicle's AC freon. While trivial amounts of freon can be naturally lost over time, your air conditioner is a sealed system designed to keep freon recirculating—often for the full lifespan of your vehicle.
In most cases, the refrigerant gas in a car's air conditioning system will last between 2 and 5 years, depending on usage and maintenance. Over time, the refrigerant level gradually decreases due to natural leaks or wear on system components, which can reduce the cooling efficiency.
Whether you use your car's air-con a lot or hardly ever at all, air-con gas will continue to permeate through the system over time so an aircon service every two years will keep the gas topped up and the system lubricated so you always have a cool blast ready when you need it most.
A sealed system will not lose refrigerant, ever unless it has a leak. If it is automotive, it may lose a small amount thru the compressor front shaft seal while not being used in winter conditions. (older cars) Newer cars may run the a/c while in the defrost mode, this helps keep the shaft seal lubricated.
If your vehicle is too low on refrigerant, the evaporator core will not reach the optimal temperature for cooling. The air may start out cold, then blow warm. Or, it may never cool down at all. Either way, it's time to schedule an A/C Performance Check.
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.
The actual leak repair depends on the component that's leaking. A simple O-ring can cost just a few dollars plus labour, but a new air conditioning line or condenser can cost hundreds of dollars. All-in, you can expect to pay $150 to $1,000 or more for a leak repair.
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 your system does not have enough refrigerant it is possible that a low refrigerant charge could be the cause. A low a/c system cause one half of your evaporator to work and the other half not to cool. This will cause the air coming out of some ducts to feel cool and the air out of other ducts to feel warm.
Sometimes, technicians have to add refrigerant, but it's usually not because the refrigerant “goes bad” inside the system. Refrigerant doesn't typically “wear out” in the way that we might imagine. However, blended refrigerants can cause a drop in performance when their mix becomes uneven.
You also must be able to identify your car's air conditioning compressor to ensure it's operating, as well as locating the AC system's low-pressure port on the return line. That's where you attach the recharge hose, gauge, and can of refrigerant. Recharging yourself will set you back between $80 and $130.
If you ignore this for too long, it may lead to more costly issues like compressor failure or refrigerant leakage, as well as damage to other components.
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.
The gas used for air conditioning never runs out. An AC unit can operate for 8–10 years without needing a gas refill if you use it wisely. But, consumption will have an effect on the overall performance. It performs the task of converting hot air into the cold air or serving as the air conditioner's "fuel".
After keeping the AC on for 15 minutes, check the outdoor of AC if it is heating or not. If hot air is coming out of the outdoor of AC, then the gas pressure is okay. You should then check the pipe of the AC if it is hot or cool. If the pipe is cool, the AC is working well.
The good news is that recharging your air conditioning system is a relatively simple process — but it's essential to do this regularly. It's recommended that you recharge the air conditioning in your car every two years, to keep the cooling power at its highest. This keeps the refrigerant loss to around 14%.
Coolant leaks are probably the most common reason a car AC takes a long time to become chilly or not operate properly. A lack of coolant in the cooling system might cause it to fail. In the short term, the air conditioner will not function properly.
One of the most obvious symptoms of low Freon levels is if your air conditioner is blowing warm or room temperature air. As we discussed, the air conditioning system in your vehicle operates by circulating this pressurized refrigerant. When the amount drops too low, it eventually affects performance.
If you find your car A/C not cooling in hot weather, it could be due to a leak in your system, a faulty condenser, or a broken compressor.
Refrigerants aren't like gasoline or motor oil. There isn't a supply that runs out or goes bad over time, needing refilling to top it up. It should be good for a lifetime as long as your AC unit is well maintained.