Can you recharge your cars A/C systems?

[cjchaps]

So I saw these little cans of coolant for recharging A/C systems at walmart. My parents have a '94 Nissan Altima which has an A/C leak somewhere, but the nissan folks couldn't find it. Could they buy those little cans and recharge it themselves?

 

[spidey07]

I'm not a mechanic but if it is the older freon based systems I don't see why you couldn't. Heck I don't see why you couldn't if it was the newer stuff either.

Just realize there is a difference.

google...
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa060301a.htm

 

[Kelvrick]

Hmm, maybe I should recharge my car too. My car is a 93 though, right between the years when they started the change. Looks like i'll have to research.

That, or wait another month until I visit home and where the mechanic lives across teh street. Another month with no ac in 95+ temps... Is it worth it?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I'm not a mechanic but if it is the older freon based systems I don't see why you couldn't. Heck I don't see why you couldn't if it was the newer stuff either.

Just realize there is a difference.

google...
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa060301a.htm

But which is the type Walmart is selling and you can apparently do yourself ? I believe I have R134a ('95 Rodeo).

 

[cjchaps]

I know their car uses the new stuff, I'm just wondering how you can tell if you can manually do it yourself?

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: spidey07
I'm not a mechanic but if it is the older freon based systems I don't see why you couldn't. Heck I don't see why you couldn't if it was the newer stuff either.

Just realize there is a difference.

google...
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa060301a.htm

Does that article basically say you can get the Walmart stuff as long as you're still on R-12 ?

 

[NutBucket]

There is a product that you can mix with R12, I don't remember the name. Otherwise, you don't want to mix the two. Doing a half-assed conversion is pretty simple and fairly effective.

EDIT: If you look around under the hood you'll see a service label for the AC telling you how much refigerant to use and what type.

 

[weirdichi]

Hmm.. might have to try that myself. Time to hit the public library for some info!

 

[gunblade]

All altimas use the R134a so you should be able to just recharge it. In fact, all nissans after 1992 use R134a.

I think Honda is the only manufacturer that was late to adapt the change after 1994. So most civics from 93 and 94 still were using R12.

 

[gunblade]

As for recharging, find the low pressure tube to charge it. Don't do it on the high pressure one.
For the altima, the one tube beside the power steering fluid is the low pressure tube if my memory serves me right.

 

No you can't, you MUST bring it to MY shop, it will cost you $350.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Roger
No you can't, you MUST bring it to MY shop, it will cost you $350.

aren't you in sales?

 

[Quixfire]

Don't listen to Roger. Bring it to my shop or if you in southeastern michigan I can come to you.

I only charge $300 to recharge A/C systems.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Don't listen to Roger. Bring it to my shop or if you in southeastern michigan I can come to you.

I only charge $300 to recharge A/C systems.

Hmm... I'm in Sacramento. If either of you will come to me, I'll pay 400 dollars.

 

I own the entire shop spidey

Of course you can recharge your own A/C system, lift the hood, look for the A/C label, this will tell you what kind of freon is in the system and it will tell you exactly how much of a charge it will take in lbs.