Technical Anyone tried topping up their aircon gas with one of the kits on the market?

[Dave Ducato]

As the title says, I lost a bit of aircon gas and wondered if the kits were any good rather than taking to a garage. I have a couple of vehicles so would be handy for the 2 of them (if it's any good).

Anyone tried one? Any tips? Ebay link below to the type I was looking at.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286040361869

 

[Jockstrap]

I used aircontopup. Recommend it as good instructions, easy to use and in your case the gauge connector is good quality for additional use.
Used to fill a replacement radiator on a 2008 500.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I did a video about them years ago



I would say as long as your air con is working and it’s just low on gas/week, then they work pretty well at getting things back to a good efficiency again. They contain dye and oil so help the system a little and can help diagnose leaks later down the line.

I would not use one though if the system is not working or if you have to open the system to replace a part. If it’s not working then you need to know why not, and if opening you need to vacuum the system to get rid of any air or moisture before regassing

 

[Greasytrucker]

I’ve used there products numerous times and found them to be pretty successful, obviously not recommended if you don’t know the history of the car as if there’s not enough oil in the compressor it can wreck an otherwise healthy system. Depends on the value of the car I suppose (lol just realised it says Ducato so I mean value of the van)
https://www.thompsonsltd.co.uk/

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I suppose (lol just realised it says Ducato so I mean value of the van)

Ooh good spot I missed that.

Ducato Dave DO NOT BUY THE PRODUCT IN YOUR LINK !!!! If you have cancel it!!

Your 2019 van will use R1234yf refrigerant and not the R134a in your link.

I’m not sure on the availability of R1234yf top ups but they use different connectors to stop you accidentally putting the wrong gas in, but say you did some how manage it would not be compatible with the system or the gas already in it.

 

[Greasytrucker]

Ooh good spot I missed that.

Ducato Dave DO NOT BUY THE PRODUCT IN YOUR LINK !!!! If you have cancel it!!

Your 2019 van will use R1234yf refrigerant and not the R134a in your link.

I’m not sure on the availability of R1234yf top ups but they use different connectors to stop you accidentally putting the wrong gas in, but say you did some how manage it would not be compatible with the system or the gas already in it.

The place I’ve linked above do the later gas in cans and the appropriate pipe for filling

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The place I’ve linked above do the later gas in cans and the appropriate pipe for filling

Well done that man.

 

[Dave Ducato]

Ooh good spot I missed that.

Ducato Dave DO NOT BUY THE PRODUCT IN YOUR LINK !!!! If you have cancel it!!

Your 2019 van will use R1234yf refrigerant and not the R134a in your link.

I’m not sure on the availability of R1234yf top ups but they use different connectors to stop you accidentally putting the wrong gas in, but say you did some how manage it would not be compatible with the system or the gas already in it.

I checked under the Ducato bonnet and the label says it uses R134a gas, apparently some commerials changed later than cars to the newer gas. My 2017 car uses R1234yf gas. Go figure?

Looking at your video I see you used Multiecuscan or equivalent software, I have this. Before I go any further I'd like to a reading of the current pressure in the system, any idea what the maximum and minimum is and is it measured static or running with the aircon on?

 

[Jockstrap]

I checked under the Ducato bonnet and the label says it uses R134a gas, apparently some commerials changed later than cars to the newer gas. My 2017 car uses R1234yf gas. Go figure?

Looking at your video I see you used Multiecuscan or equivalent software, I have this. Before I go any further I'd like to a reading of the current pressure in the system, any idea what the maximum and minimum is and is it measured static or running with the aircon on?

This might help

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The acutal pressure reading in aircon systems is not massively relevent, obviously there needs to be a certain pressure for the system to work but the optimal pressure can vary a bit from car to car. Really what is important is that the weight of refrigerant is right which is why usually under the bonnet will be a sticker saying as an example 750g of R134a refrigerant.

This is the correct amount in weight of refrigerant that needs to be in the system for it to work optimally. In my video I used the pressure reading on MES as an example but really its not all that important. If its working but weak and you add some gas to the system and it works better thats really all you need to worry about, with the refil systems they usually have a pressure gauge that gives a rough pressure reading but often it can also just say
.low add refrigerant,
.good with a green area
.high, contact a specialist in red on the gauge.

So go with what ever kit you have and the instructions on that specific kit and how to use it.

The pressure in the system will cycle up and down a bit anyway while in use.

 

[Dave Ducato]

Many thanks for all the replies.

 

[Dave Ducato]

Well, that was annoying. The gauge and can arrived so I went to top up the aircon today and followed the procedure, I could see on the gauge before the can was pieced that the pressure was only just about on the lowest part of the acceptable range. I then pieced the can, I could hear a tiny little hiss and little more, the gauge flicked and stopped. I waited, and the can didn't get cold at all. It was clear nothing more was coming out of the can and so disconnected the gauge from the system. It seems I received a virtually empty can. In hindsight, I should have weighed the can before and after.....older & wiser. I'll order a fresh can from another supplier.

 

[Greasytrucker]

Yes that is annoying. I’ve had near on a dozen cans from the above supplier I’ve linked and never had a problem. I normally stop adding when the gauge sits steadily in the middle of the normal section, just don’t go over the top! If the can didn’t go cold somethings definitely amiss

 

[Greasytrucker]

That’s what I normally get
https://www.thompsonsltd.co.uk/inde...gerant-x1-For-HybridElectric-Vehicles/AC_EV_B