Charging car AC
When charging car AC systems it is recommended that a low system be evacuated and then recharged to factory specifications. Often people will just add Freon if they think it is low and this can create a few problems. The amount of Freon charge in the system is one of the most important factors in the performance of your air conditioning. The under hood label will give exact specifications of how much Freon belongs in the system. When the system is low the compressor will most likely cycle on and off because of a pressure imbalance. When the ac is overcharged the pressure on the low side will become higher and in return cause poor cooling in the interior compartment.
Evacuating and charging car ACEvacuating is a term used to describe the complete removal of all Freon. This is done by creating a vacuum in the system by connecting a vacuum pump. This process gives you a clean slate as far as the amount of Freon to add, but it also pulls all air and moisture out before charging car AC.Air causes excessive pressure and can restrict the refrigerants ability to change its state from a gas to liquid. Moister on the other hand can cause freeze up and restrict the refrigerants flow. Moisture also forms an acid when mixed with refrigerant which can intern cause corrosion inside your car AC system. A vacuum pump removes this air and moisture from all internal components. It also provides a clean slate for re-adding and charging car AC. Refilling the system with refrigerant is known as charging the system. This is where Refrigerant is added through the systems service ports.
Charging through the low side service port is the recommended procedure on most vehicles unless an electronic charging station is used. But for most do-it-yourself mechanics adding Freon from a can through a gauge set is the most often used procedure. In this case you want to locate the low side service fitting and charge from there. Often these are located on the accumulator. But always refer to a car repair manual for the correct procedure for your vehicle. The steps are clearly outlined and this is the easiest way to get the most cooling out of your car air conditioning system.
Adding oil to the AC systemIf the system has become low due to a small leak, chances are most of the refrigerant oil is still in the system. The oil in the system which is dispersed through the Freon and lubricates the internal components as the Freon circulates is another critical factor in the overall cooling abilities. Too little oil and internal damage can result. Too much oil and the Freon lose its ability to properly cool.
Generally compressor oil level is checked only when there is evidence of a major loss. An example would be a broken hose that empties the system quickly. Also collision damage can cause this as well. When replacing refrigerant oil it is important to use the specific type and quantity of AC oil recommended by the compressor manufacturer. Old R-12 systems use mineral oil while the newer R-134a type car air conditioning systems use synthetic oil known as PAG oil. Installing the wrong type of oil can lead to internal damage to critical air-conditioning components.
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