What are the specific steps for recharging car air conditioning refrigerant?
2 Answers
Car air conditioning refrigerant recharge specific steps are: 1. Prepare intact and qualified refrigerant and charging tools; 2. Connect the car air conditioning system to the charging tool adapter; 3. Inject liquid refrigerant from the high-pressure side. Methods to determine whether car air conditioning needs refrigerant recharge: 1. When the air conditioner is running, continuous bubbles appear in the sight glass of the pipeline, indicating low refrigerant level; 2. No bubbles appear whether the air conditioner is running or stopped, indicating excessive refrigerant; 3. No bubbles appear when the air conditioner is running, but briefly appear when stopped, indicating normal refrigerant level; 4. Open the hood and check if there are oil stains at the air conditioning system joints - oil stains indicate refrigerant deficiency.
I've been driving for quite some years and have handled AC refrigerant recharging many times. The steps are actually quite straightforward: First, check the system for any leaks by spraying soapy water on the pipe connections to see if bubbles form—if there's a leak, it needs to be fixed first. Next, take out the specialized tool kit, connect it to the high and low pressure valves, and ensure a tight seal. Then, start the vacuum pump to evacuate for about twenty minutes, removing all air and moisture—this step can't be skipped, as it affects cooling performance. After that, connect the refrigerant canister and slowly add the refrigerant while monitoring the pressure gauge to keep the needle within the green range without exceeding it. Once done, start the engine and test the AC's air output temperature—if it's cool, you're good. The whole process should be done in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves to protect your hands, as refrigerant gas is toxic and shouldn't be inhaled. Regular maintenance to keep the system clean will reduce the frequency of recharging, making it hassle-free.
