Just wondering. The sunfire I bought last november *has* AC, but it doesn't cool off. Looks like it just needs to be recharged. Any idea what that might cost?
Nate
Nate
How much does it usually cost to have a car's AC recharged?
- Thread starter NTB
- Start date
Before spending money in recharging (maybe wasting) with cooling stuff (why would it be empty ?), I'ld run a leak-test of teh AC system.
batmang
Diamond Member
- Jul 16, 2003
- 3,020
- 1
- 81
" An evacuation and recharge service includes removing whatever remaining refrigerant is in your vehicle, removing impurities from that refrigerant using recycling equipment, recharging it into the vehicle, and adding new refrigerant to replace whatever has leaked out. "
sometimes a recharge is good because the coolant can have a bunch of crap in it that shouldnt be there. and usually having a recharge will lower the a/c air temp due to cleaner coolant.
Incorrect.
He said that his car doesn't cool down. That means that there's no refrigerant. It got out somehow. If you put new refrigerant in, it'll just leak out. Refrigerant isn't going to be so contaminated that it doesn't cool anymore. If it doesn't cool then it's leaked out of the system.
he said it doesn't cool down. The compressor clutch could be locked up, a bad relay, a number of things could be wrong.
GuitarDaddy
Lifer
- Nov 9, 2004
- 11,465
- 1
- 0
First you need to determine if low coolant is the problem. The surest sign of low coolant is the compressor will short cycle (on and off rather quickly). As others have said, if the coolant is low, you have a leak. If the leak is small you can recharge the system and get a season or two of cooling before you have to recharge again, but its a risk because if the leak is large you may lose all your coolant within a few days.
yhelothar
Lifer
- Dec 11, 2002
- 18,409
- 39
- 91
my coolant system has a leak somewhere. I've tried using the stop leak + leak test thing with no success. I didn't see any of the red dye coming out. I was hoping I can just use jb weld or something to fix the leak instead of paying $200. Any ideas on how I can fix the leaks without taking it to an exhorbantly expensive ac repair shop?
GuitarDaddy
Lifer
- Nov 9, 2004
- 11,465
- 1
- 0
JB weld won't work. If the A/C stop leak doesn't work, their really isn't any other choice but to replace the leaking component
If it still has some coolant in the system then it hasn't sucked in bad stuff. You can just stick another can in it for $10 and buy the tool need to do so for another $10-30. If it only uses one or hell even a couple cans a summer that is still a hell of a lot cheaper then paying to have expensive a/c crap replaced. My mustang goes through 1 can a summer no big deal.
Leaking A/C gas is not good for the environment.
To the OP: I would first get a leak test done for the whole A/C system. Same thing happened with my car couple of years ago and there were holes in the condenser. Got a new condenser and problem solved.
the total cost was something like this:
A/C Leak Test: ~$100
new Condenser: ~$200
Installation of condenser, new gas: ~150 or so
Ah, i see what you mean by retrofit kits... yeah, they're not legally sold without a permit in canada. Checking amazon, man, those prices are FANTASTIC compared to what it costs up here (even with a permit it's about twice as much... on the black market even more)... i'm tempted to get somebody to send me a couple of cans.
yhelothar
Lifer
- Dec 11, 2002
- 18,409
- 39
- 91
The old freon they used is very harmful to the ozone and cannot be bought unless you are a licensed professional. I forgot what the old one was called, but if you leak any of it to the atmosphere, you can be fined thousands of dollars.
The newer 1394a, which is used by pretty much all cars past the late 80's, is much safer for the atmosphere, thus making it widely available to the general public.
That said, it usually takes 3 cans of that stuff, each can costing about $10. Add in the hose with the pressure guage, and it'll end up costing you about $50 to charge it yourself. You can get it professionally charged for $25(not including evacuation).
sao123
Lifer
- May 27, 2002
- 12,653
- 205
- 106
Many A/C's have slow leaks that allow them to slowly leak over the course of a 6mo - 1 year.
You can buy the stuff at walmart.
Buy a refill kit (Comes with filling attachment & pressure guage, and filling instructions), and 3-4 cans of R134a with leak stop, and a can of A/C Dye.
Follow the directions in the kit, and do not overfill. Be sure to attach to the low pressure valve, not the high pressure side. Fill the A/C with (approx 4-5 cans from empty) of R134A with leak stop, and add a can of A/C dye.
Then at dark, run the car with A/C on Max. Take a black light and look for refridgerant leaks.
You can buy the stuff at walmart.
Buy a refill kit (Comes with filling attachment & pressure guage, and filling instructions), and 3-4 cans of R134a with leak stop, and a can of A/C Dye.
Follow the directions in the kit, and do not overfill. Be sure to attach to the low pressure valve, not the high pressure side. Fill the A/C with (approx 4-5 cans from empty) of R134A with leak stop, and add a can of A/C dye.
Then at dark, run the car with A/C on Max. Take a black light and look for refridgerant leaks.
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