AC Recharge Kits

I've used them a few times on the GF's minivan. They work in the short term but the leak is still a leak and still needs to be properly fixed. Hers isn't too bad - about one of those cans every year but at $50/can/year, you might as well just bring it to a shop and get it fixed permanently.
 
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I've used them a few times on the GF's minivan. They work in the short term but the leak is still a leak and still needs to be properly fixed. Hers isn't too bad - about one of those cans every year but at $50/can/year, you might as well just bring it to a shop and get it fixed permanently.
I thought a can of R134a was less than $10?
 
I think my BMW X3 needs the refrigerant recharged. I'm not quite sure what tools I need to buy to do it. Would something like this work, or is it just a gimmick?
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Be careful with something like this...if you over do it, your compressor could be vomiting green goo all over your engine bay...ask me how I know...

Before you add any refrigerant, you need to know the high and low pressure of the system. If you insist on doing it yourself, you can rent the gauges from an auto part store like AutoZone or Orielys, but have some sense or understanding of what your are doing.

ALSO, what year is your X3 (sorry if posted somewhere and I missed it)? Reason I ask...some of the newer cars no longer have r134a...it has been replaced by the r1234yf.
 
Be careful with something like this...if you over do it, your compress could be vomiting green goo all over your engine bay...ask me how I know...

Before you add any refrigerant, you need to know the high and low pressure of the system. If you insist on doing it yourself, you can rent the gauges from an auto part store like AutoZone or Orielys, but have some sense or understanding of what your are doing.

ALSO, what year is your X3 (sorry if posted somewhere and I missed it)? Reason I ask...some of the newer cars no longer have r134a...it has been replaced by the r1234yf.
It’s 2013. They went to the rf1234yf in 2017. I’m skeptical, that’s why I started this thread
 
It’s 2013. They went to the rf1234yf in 2017. I’m skeptical, that’s why I started this thread
Yeah, I wouldn't use it...you'll probably do more damage than good.

Sorry, rf1234yf is expensive right now...I guess because it is relatively new...
 
With sealer?


Good question . simply answered.
NO.

Sealers IMHO (in my humble opinion) contaminate or perhaps reduce it performance AC system as it was designed . Wither they do or don't I don't care.... I don't use them nor do my Tech's.
Not being rude it just a sorta live by if your are going to do something anything at least try to do it correctly.
 
The one you showed in your post was for R134a...this one is for rf1234yf...it must be new as I've never seen it on the shelf.

Sorry, I misread your earlier post...you have 2013, so R134a...my bad...for some reason I got stuck in my head that your needed rf1234yf, so using r134a would be bad.

I never said don't use it...I just said be careful and have some sense of what your doing or trying to do.

Really you should take it to a profession to have it checked out, but I do understand that sometimes money and/or time is in short supply and you gotta do what you gotta do.

Ultimately, it is your car, your decision to make, your responsibility to take...just get as much info as you can from multiple sources...here, youtube, google, etc.

good luck.
 
It'll work in a pinch, but it's a great way to ruin an AC system. As mentioned the proper way is to evacuate/recover the refrigerant in the system. Fix the leaks, pull a vacuum and make sure the leaks are fixed, then charge it by weight. Any other way is a crap shoot.

Please explain how using one of those kits that just add R134A to a system that is low on charge will ruin an AC system. They include a pressure gauge, and even if you're a absolute knucklehead and really overcharge the system the high pressure switch will just shut it down preventing any damage.

There's nothing wrong with a kit like AC Pro, it's just R134A in a can with a gauge and hose to aid in filling. It won't fix a leak but all AC systems leak a little so eventually even with a perfectly fine system you will be a little low on charge.
 
Please explain how using one of those kits that just add R134A to a system that is low on charge will ruin an AC system. They include a pressure gauge, and even if you're a absolute knucklehead and really overcharge the system the high pressure switch will just shut it down preventing any damage.

There's nothing wrong with a kit like AC Pro, it's just R134A in a can with a gauge and hose to aid in filling. It won't fix a leak but all AC systems leak a little so eventually even with a perfectly fine system you will be a little low on charge.
Not sure if it is true, but I've heard that the issue is the 'sealant or stop leak' within the kits like AC Pro. The sealant is supposed to stop leaks, but I've heard that in systems that use orifrices, it can clog/plug those up causing the AC system to stop working and maybe even causing damage. Sort like the situation with radiator stop leak and heater cores. I'm sure straight r134a is not an issue other than overcharging...it is these all in one units with r134a and a 'sealant or stop leak'.
 
Please explain how using one of those kits that just add R134A to a system that is low on charge will ruin an AC system. They include a pressure gauge, and even if you're a absolute knucklehead and really overcharge the system the high pressure switch will just shut it down preventing any damage.

There's nothing wrong with a kit like AC Pro, it's just R134A in a can with a gauge and hose to aid in filling. It won't fix a leak but all AC systems leak a little so eventually even with a perfectly fine system you will be a little low on charge.
The air that is in the hose brings moisture into the system. The high side switch will shut the compressor down @ around 450 psi. No automotive ac compressor can take those pressures very long at all.
 
For those that have actually used them they are DIY fool prof.
I personally have used them a few times for myself and *customers that were on limited funds and could not afford a proper AC Service.



Scenario: You take it to a shop for a basic AC Service. average cost 100 +how much Freon extra is used. The shop tests and checks the Ac system and find a leak. To fix the leak will cost an additional 100-1000 dollars or more? So you say forget that and you are still charged the basic fee of 100 and feel like you got ripped off by the shop. This during summer months happens almost every day during the hot summer days someone brings a car into the shop because their AC is not working well.
The DIY self in a can to which is proven safe to use correctly for even DIY

* a disclaimer is required signed by the customer that indicates the problem with the AC was not fixed and no guarantee of how long the temporary added Freon will keep the AC function well This is also accompanied be a detail work estimate of cost to repair the AC problem correctly
How do you know it needs to be charged? There are many reasons as to why a system won't cool. Low charge is just 1 reason.
 
The one I have was v. simple. Gauge tells you if you are low. If low, add until in green. If not, leave it alone you have another issue. Easy and has worked perfectly. At some point it will get a new condenser and lines but this is on my W8 - it will be a grand so I'll take the $40 special at Advance for the few mos. of temps where I need AC.
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I thought a can of R134a was less than $10?

I wish! Her minivan takes a bit over a pound of r134a which ends up being ~$40-50 from autozone with the AC PRO w/gauge.

EDIT: I just saw the walmart link, definitely cheaper there vs autozone.
 
How do you know it needs to be charged? There are many reasons as to why a system won't cool. Low charge is just 1 reason.
Sure but it is doing diagnostics not limited but mostly a combined *Visual Inspection , listening, Pressures and Temperatures values . A diagnostic of an AC system not doing well can be from 30 minutes for a *simple test, to 1.5 hours labor performed by a trained Technician for trouble shooting a more hidden problem.
 
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