A functional car air conditioner system is essential in hot weather, but ACs are prone to malfunction or break down for several reasons. A refrigerant leaking over time is one of the reasons behind a car AC not working properly. In that case, you can recharge the car AC, which is an easy DIY task.
It will take around 15 minutes, and you will need a car AC recharge kit and follow a few steps. Here are all the steps to recharge the car’s AC and this procedure will help make the air conditioner functional and cool down your summer ride.
How to Recharge Car Air Conditioners
Car air conditioner maintenance benefits in improving air quality and comfort when driving in hot weather. That said, recharging a car AC will significantly enhance cooling.
Recharging is the first and the most essential step to take when you have a weak car AC. Plus, you will only have to buy a car recharge kit and follow this step-by-step guide to the most used way to recharge your car AC.
Step-1: Requirements for Car AC Recharge
Firstly, you must determine the refrigerant required in your car. Refrigerant is one of the essential car AC components. Besides, the refrigerant type depends on the car models since the following types are available:
- R-134a (For car models from 1994 to 2014)
- R-1234yf (For vehicle models from 2014 to present)
- R-12 (For vehicle models before 1994)
Buy a refrigerant can, a dispenser and goggles. When buying a refrigerant car, ensure that it is not leaking. Moreover, a refrigerant dispenser must have a pressure gauge and trigger. Ensure you don’t purchase a refrigerant/dispenser combo since it may compromise safety when recharging the car AC. You can buy refrigerants or any other component from the list of AC and heating parts in the UAE online or from an auto part shop.
Now assemble the dispenser and refrigerant can. You can connect the bottom of the dispenser to the can and move on to the next step.
Step-2: Ensure that the AC Compressor is Running
Low or no AC cooling is one of the signs of a bad AC compressor. To determine it, turn on the car AC and keep the AC fan at maximum. Locate the compressor and check if it is working. One common symptom of a malfunctioning AC compressor is that the AC only works while driving and when the vehicle is idling, it will not blow cool air.
Step-3: Find the Low Side Port
The low side port connects the accumulator and compressor. Locate it under the hood using the user service manual. Moreover, there is a high-side port connecting the AC compressor and condenser.
If you are connecting a refrigerant can use the low-side port, whereas if you want to use a set of gauges, connect those gauges with the high-side port.
A low-side fill port is generally on the left side of the engine. You can locate a small section of metal pipe with two lengths. The larger length pipe is a high-side port, whereas the smaller one is a low-side port.
Step-4: Attach the Refrigerant Can and Dispenser to the Port
Connect the charging hose of the low and high side ports to the refrigerant can and dispenser assembly. You can squeeze the car trigger and press the connector to the port. Squeezing the trigger helps keep the constant pressure flowing into the air conditioning system.
Step-5: Start Recharging the Air Conditioner
Before the car AC recharge, you must know about the refrigerant’s pressure-temperature charts. Since modern car models use R-1234yf or R-134-a, refer to the pressure-temperature tables coming with the refrigerant can.
Now, mark the pressure gauges and start filling the refrigerant in the car AC system. Ensure that the pressure is according to the ambient temperature. Always remember that compressor engages at 20 psi. Ensure that the compressor is engaged throughout.
You can follow the below pressure-temperature table for R-134a:
Temperature (°C) | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) |
|---|---|---|
Temperature (°C) 20 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 20.8 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 134.1 |
Temperature (°C) 25 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 25.6 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 152.2 |
Temperature (°C) 30 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 30.8 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 171.0 |
Temperature (°C) 35 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 36.4 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 190.5 |
Temperature (°C) 40 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 42.4 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 210.6 |
Temperature (°C) 45 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 48.8 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 231.5 |
Temperature (°C) 50 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 55.5 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 253.0 |
Temperature (°C) 55 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 62.7 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 275.3 |
Temperature (°C) 60 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 70.2 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 298.2 |
Here’s the pressure-temperature table for R-1234yf refrigerants:
Temperature (°C) | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) |
|---|---|---|
Temperature (°C) 20 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 19.8 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 121.0 |
Temperature (°C) 25 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 24.7 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 138.0 |
Temperature (°C) 30 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 30.0 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 155.7 |
Temperature (°C) 35 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 35.6 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 174.1 |
Temperature (°C) 40 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 41.6 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 193.1 |
Temperature (°C) 45 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 48.0 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 212.9 |
Temperature (°C) 50 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 54.7 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 233.3 |
Temperature (°C) 55 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 61.8 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 254.5 |
Temperature (°C) 60 | Low-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 69.2 | High-Pressure Gauge (PSI) 276.4 |
Step-6: Car AC Recharge Completion
Once the pressure needle stops on the gauge, remove the hose from the refrigerant can and store the refrigerant in a cool and dry place. Moreover, seal the cap to avoid refrigerant leaks since it can cause car AC failure.
That wraps up the complete process of car AC recharge. When you buy a used car in the UAE, ensure that you check all the systems before making a purchase. Moreover, you can check for car AC leaks to maximise its efficiency in the hot UAE summers.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s autos blog to learn DIY tips and tricks to repair or replace your car parts.
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