How to Recharge Refrigerant in Automobiles
- 1). Consult the exact instructions on the refrigerant's packaging. Put on protective eye wear.
- 2). Assemble the recharge kit according to the packaging's instructions. This will include mounting a hose to a canister. Ensure that the O-ring and internal seals on connection is intact. Do not, at this point, turn the valve handle on the charging kit. That would prematurely release refrigerant.
- 3). Open your vehicle's hood and locate the quick connection on the lower side of the air conditioning. It will look like small knob with a threaded dust cap. Remove this cap and attach the recharging kit's hose to it. Set the kit down in a safe place. Keep it away from an fans, radiators, or engine parts that will move.
- 4). Climb into the vehicle's driver seat and turn both the engine and the air conditioning on. Let both the engine and the air conditioning get to their normal operational temperatures.
- 5). Return to the recharge kit. Turn the kit's valve so that its internal stem punctures the top of the can. This will send refrigerant from the can, through the hose, and into the air conditioning system. You will hear a rushing sound. This is normal.
- 6). Continue to add refrigerant until the compressor discharge line has warmed and the inlet pipe beneath the quick connection is cool. You may need to twirl or move the can as you add refrigerant.
- 7). Keep an eye on the kit's gauges. Depending on how low your refrigerant level is, it is recommended that you place a thermometer into an air conditioning vent. Under normal temperature circumstances, the air conditioning's operational temperature, at full charge, should be 40 degrees.
- 8). Close the charging kit's valve, once the canister is empty. This will close the connection between the canister and the air conditioning system. Release the kit's hose from the low side quick connection, and replace the dust cap.
- 9). Turn the air conditioning off and then turn the vehicle's engine off.
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