My daughters AC needs filling up so I purchased a kit(linked below) to see if I could do it myself. Has anyone else tried doing it? Any pointers would be greatfully recieved.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400137865515

Shadeyman said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400137865515

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Link doesn't work, but I've regassed my own system. It's rather diffucult to get correct readings now as it's do damn cold. Why do you want to do it during winter?

Morty Mort said:

Link doesn't work, but I've regassed my own system. It's rather diffucult to get correct readings now as it's do damn cold. Why do you want to do it during winter?

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Link fixed.

I'm not bothered when its done to be honest. A friend of my daughters told her having low or no AC presure(gas) can cause problems so its best to top it back up.
Is that true, can it cause problems later on if its left low or empty? I know the gas has protective additives in it.

Shadeyman said:

Link fixed.

I'm not bothered when its done to be honest. A friend of my daughters told her having low or no AC presure(gas) can cause problems so its best to top it back up.
Is that true, can it cause problems later on if its left low or empty? I know the gas has protective additives in it.

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Must admit I've only even had mine re-gassed professionally. But I believe if a system is empty for a long period, it has to be dried of condensation before being re-filled.

Presure is low, very low, but not empty. So best to fill it back up?

Shadeyman said:

Presure is low, very low, but not empty. So best to fill it back up?

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If it still works (compressor runs) you can add a can of gas. The 1.6 takes appx. 500 grams. I added a can of "arctic freeze" of 340 grams this summer (I have a leak), as it didn't chill any more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Ca...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

So don't add more than one of the cans in the listing you mentioned.

If the system is left without gas or shut off during long periods, the gaskets can dry out and gas will escape. So it's a good idea to have the heater set to auto at all time, so the aircon will circulate (when over +3°).

Morty Mort said:

If it still works (compressor runs) you can add a can of gas. The 1.6 takes appx. 500 grams. I added a can of "arctic freeze" of 340 grams this summer (I have a leak), as it didn't chill any more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Cans-R-134a-Arctic-Freeze-AC-Refrigerant-NASA-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem483da9b407QQitemZ310272177159QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

So don't add more than one of the cans in the listing you mentioned.

If the system is left without gas or shut off during long periods, the gaskets can dry out and gas will escape. So it's a good idea to have the heater set to auto at all time, so the aircon will circulate (when over +3°).

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Should I drain it completely first? If so, how? I've ordered the kit, should be here tomorrow. There's a can of leak stop included, would you recomend I use it?

Shadeyman said:

Should I drain it completely first? If so, how? I've ordered the kit, should be here tomorrow. There's a can of leak stop included, would you recomend I use it?

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No need to drain. Just do the refill. When this is done properly (professional) they drain everything out, do some cleaning (which I don't know anything about) and then refill the gas they extracted and top up until full. Oil (as an o-ring conditioner) is added at the same time, and sometimes dye (done in mine) to find a leak.

The arctic freeze I added had both oil and a sealer in the same mix, but wouldn't use it if I didn't need it. The most important thing is the oil / seal lubricant.

Refilling takes a couple of minutes.

Just a refill it is then.
Just read the listing again, the leak stop can:

"CONTAINS R134a REFRIGERANT AND STOP LEAK SEALER AND O RING CONDITIONER THAT PENETRATES AND REVITALISES O RINGS, GASKETS AND RUBBER SEALS.
THIS SPECIALISED FORMULA OF ADDITIVES IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT LEAKAGE AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF ALL RUBBER COMPONENTS"

So best to put that in first to replace the lost gas and additives it contained(oil etc.)?

Shadeyman said:

So best to put that in first to replace the lost gas and additives it contained(oil etc.)?

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I would personally just skip the can of sealer since the main R134a contains oil, and will lube the o-rings. If the pressure drops again, I'd use the sealer and then the last can of R134a.

The readings will propably be very low on the pressure gauge right now, as the lowest outside temp for "average accurate" readings will be valid at least +20 C°.

You are sure it's low on gas? The A/C compressor will not start in under +3C°, to prevent itself from destruction.

seems like a false economy to me....can have the whole system drained and re-filled for £50 round here...

mzhussein said:

seems like a false economy to me....can have the whole system drained and re-filled for £50 round here...

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The kit allows me to seal and refill 2 cars AC systems.

Shadeyman said:

The kit allows me to seal and refill 2 cars AC systems.

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It's very straight forward and very easy.

my bad...didnt realise it did two...

Shadey - Might be worth making this into a guide when you get around to it? Would be useful if its an easy thing to do.

Not for me though as my AC is knackered summer is a bad time for driving in my car.

Oakley28 said:

Shadey - Might be worth making this into a guide when you get around to it? Would be useful if its an easy thing to do.

Not for me though as my AC is knackered summer is a bad time for driving in my car.

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Not sure how to produce a guide but I'll certainly upload some photos to help anyone else that wants to try the DIY approach.

Shadeyman said:

Not sure how to produce a guide but I'll certainly upload some photos to help anyone else that wants to try the DIY approach.

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https://www.fiatforum.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=88

Try this.

Shadeyman said:

Should I drain it completely first? If so, how? I've ordered the kit, should be here tomorrow. There's a can of leak stop included, would you recomend I use it?

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It's best to drain it first. And there is also some oil that needs to be changed... at least that's all the refrigerator guy that did mine told me...

Shadeyman said:

Not sure how to produce a guide but I'll certainly upload some photos to help anyone else that wants to try the DIY approach.

Click to expand...

If I remember correctly:

1. Check to see the comressor runs.
2. Let the car idle for some time with A/C on.
3. Stop engine.
4. Locate the low pressure refill tap, and remove cap.
5. Plug on the gauge to read pressure. The gauge will only fit the low pressure tap.
6. Unplug gauge. You might hear a little "pffft" and spray some R134a into the atmosphere.
7. Fully unscrew (until it stops) the gauge penetration screw.
8. Screw the gauge to the R134a can.
9. Plug the gauge (with can) to the refill tap.
10. Start engine and set A/C to full freeze.
11. Puncture the can by turning the screw clockwise until it stops. Then max anticlockwise to let gas flow into the hose and A/C system.
12. Let the can do some dancing while you sing an AC/DC riff.
13. When can feels empty, turn it upside down to get all oil out of it. My can was empty after 2 minutes.
14. Close the penetration screw fully and unplug the hose / gauge from the filler tap. Refit cap.
15. Feel the cold coming out from the vents inside the car. Might be a bit difficult to check as it's generally cold at the moment.