A/C Recharge

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Geo_Prizm

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Sep 18, 2009
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339
Location
S.E. WI
Hello,

My car's A/C is not doing what it is supposed to do anymore, it is a 94 Prizm. I asked the local shop how much they charge for recharging.I was stupefied to find out they charge $165!

Does anyone know a decent repair shop with a decent price for this job in Milwaukee/SE WI?

Sale of R134a is illegal in WI therefore I am not able to do it myself
frown.gif
 
It is illegal for DIY people.Even the repair shop owners can not get it any smaller volume than 15 pounds.Not even for their personal vehicles.

I am able to do the recharging if R134a were sold here.For 15 dollar maximum...But one shop I asked price says they do it for $165...

Either I will travel to IL just to get a can or two, or find a place that does the job cheaper than $165.
 
Go to ILL. pick up a can with a filler kit, I just added a can yesterday from NAPA wasn't cheap $32 for synthetic but it went right in and all cooled nicely. It It took 5 minutes.
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
R134a is illegal in WI? Wow, it's on sale at nearly every auto parts store here, right by the registers.
Ya wisconsin is the only state that has banned the sale of r134a to non certified people.
 
Originally Posted By: meangreen01
Are you sure it's a refrigerant related issue?


I think it is, because it is progressive.It cools less and less every summer.And the car is 16 years old.

What other reason can it be?
 
Originally Posted By: willix
Go to ILL. pick up a can with a filler kit, I just added a can yesterday from NAPA wasn't cheap $32 for synthetic but it went right in and all cooled nicely. It It took 5 minutes.


I read on 'enviro-safe'(an alternative refrigerant...the name says 'safe' but I think it is propane) website that doing the recharge with R134a and getting in contact with the refrigerant causes testicular cancer.

What should I be careful about doing this?

Thanks for the replies.
 
When it comes to dealing with R134a systems,I would pay the price and get a professional to go through it once to see if it's due to a leak developing or something more drastic.

That way, you can then decide whether to get it fixed properly or not.

Q.
 
It could be a lot of different things including low charge. A gauge set is really needed to start to get an idea of whats going on in there.
 
Seriously, if it has little charge left in it just add a can and be done with it. I wouldn't be civil disobedience if you cross the state line to get some r134.

I didn't realize how twisted the rules have gotten in Wisconsin.

You know you can add it right there in the parking lot at the parts store in ILL. and no laws have been compromised. Its just a quick connector and its done when the can empties.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ya wisconsin is the only state that has banned the sale of r134a to non certified people.


You're not alone; Ontario has always only allowed certified technicians to buy R134a or any refrigerant for that matter. You need to know how to properly recover the refrigerant and not just vent it into the atmosphere. If you take your car in for AC service and the shop finds a leak, the owners must get the leak fixed or the shop must remove all refrigerant from the system to protect the atmosphere.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ya wisconsin is the only state that has banned the sale of r134a to non certified people.


You're not alone; Ontario has always only allowed certified technicians to buy R134a or any refrigerant for that matter. You need to know how to properly recover the refrigerant and not just vent it into the atmosphere. If you take your car in for AC service and the shop finds a leak, the owners must get the leak fixed or the shop must remove all refrigerant from the system to protect the atmosphere.


33.gif
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Ya wisconsin is the only state that has banned the sale of r134a to non certified people.


You're not alone; Ontario has always only allowed certified technicians to buy R134a or any refrigerant for that matter. You need to know how to properly recover the refrigerant and not just vent it into the atmosphere. If you take your car in for AC service and the shop finds a leak, the owners must get the leak fixed or the shop must remove all refrigerant from the system to protect the atmosphere.


33.gif



x2
 
Yeah, WI's nuts. I don't know quite how we got to this point, but the environmentalists have taken us way off the deep end! Doesn't effect me too much personally, IL's only 45 min away. To think I'd have to escape to IL to utilize less restictive laws is mind blowing in itself, lol!!!
 
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
I read on 'enviro-safe'(an alternative refrigerant...the name says 'safe' but I think it is propane) website that doing the recharge with R134a and getting in contact with the refrigerant causes testicular cancer.

What should I be careful about doing this? Thanks for the replies.


Enviro-safe refrigerant is a propane and isobutane mix, IIRC. Good refrigerants, with a little problem -- very combustable. This should be of particular concern to you, since you suspect that your system is leaking.

If you rear-end someone's car, your condenser will be one of the first things to go. From there, you just need an ignition source, and propane isn't too fussy.

Go to the next nearest state and either get a 30 lb. cylinder of R134a, or a case of cans at warehouse club.
 
Last edited:
Glad I grabbed the R12 when I still could. I still have 2 vehicles using the stuff. Nothing cools like R12, both systems are leak free and working fine now.
 
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
Does anyone know a decent repair shop with a decent price for this job in Milwaukee/SE WI?

Yes, in deep southeast WI there is a place called 'Illinois'. Find an Autozone just across the border and feel free to purchase a R134a recharge kit.
 
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
Originally Posted By: Geo_Prizm
I read on 'enviro-safe'(an alternative refrigerant...the name says 'safe' but I think it is propane) website that doing the recharge with R134a and getting in contact with the refrigerant causes testicular cancer.

What should I be careful about doing this? Thanks for the replies.


Enviro-safe refrigerant is a propane and isobutane mix, IIRC. Good refrigerants, with a little problem -- very combustable. This should be of particular concern to you, since you suspect that your system is leaking.

If you rear-end someone's car, your condenser will be one of the first things to go. From there, you just need an ignition source, and propane isn't too fussy.

Go to the next nearest state and either get a 30 lb. cylinder of R134a, or a case of cans at warehouse club.


Envirosafe is safe because you use very little of it.i have had it in my old van for 4+ years now. i would be much more concerned about the 15 gallons of gasoline in the tank.Buy one of the recharge cans with the hose on it. they work very well.you can buy them on ebay.
 
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