How to Recharge Car Air Conditioning with Refrigerant?
2 Answers
There are two methods to recharge a car's air conditioning system: high-pressure side charging and low-pressure side charging. High-pressure side charging involves liquid refrigerant, characterized by safety and speed, making it suitable for the initial charging of the refrigeration system. Low-pressure side charging uses gaseous refrigerant, which is slower and typically used for topping up. Precautions when recharging car air conditioning with refrigerant: 1. Avoid direct sunlight or stove heating of refrigerant containers to prevent accidents; 2. Prevent direct contact between refrigerant and human skin to avoid frostbite; 3. Avoid refrigerant accidentally entering the eyes to prevent blindness; 4. Once the refrigerant lines are opened or if there is a leak, the refrigerant will completely escape; 5. Refrigerant in gaseous form is heavier than air, so avoid repairing the air conditioning in trenches or low-lying areas to prevent suffocation, and ensure the work area is well-ventilated.
In my years of car repair experience, adding refrigerant isn't complicated, but it does require some skill. First, park the car on level ground, start the engine, and set the air conditioning to the coldest and highest fan speed mode. Prepare the refrigerant charging kit—including high and low-pressure hoses, a pressure gauge, and connecting hoses—usually found in the toolbox. Identify the refrigerant ports in the engine compartment: the high-pressure port has a small red cap, and the low-pressure port is blue. Carefully connect the kit to the low-pressure port, ensuring no air leaks. Observe the pressure reading; only add refrigerant if it's too low. Then, take the refrigerant canister, slowly open the valve to add it, and avoid pouring too much at once. Monitor the temperature drop at the air vents while adding. Once done, close the valve and disconnect the kit. By the way, it's best to test the system for leaks before adding refrigerant—spray soapy water on the ports or hose connections; bubbles indicate a problem. Store tools in a dry place to extend their lifespan. Remember, performing this routine maintenance can save on repair costs, but check the cooling efficiency seasonally to prevent minor issues from becoming major failures.
