When Does a Car Air Conditioner Need Refrigerant Recharge?
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Methods to determine whether a car air conditioner needs refrigerant recharge are as follows: I. Judging by cooling effect: 1. Assess whether the air conditioner requires refrigerant recharge based on its cooling performance, i.e., whether it can achieve the preset indoor temperature within a specified time. 2. If the air outlet temperature cannot drop below 16°C, refrigerant needs to be added. 3. If the outlet temperature can reach below 16°C but takes an excessively long time (e.g., still insufficient after 5-6 minutes), refrigerant replenishment is also needed. II. Observing the sight glass: 1. During normal continuous operation, if bubbles persistently appear in the sight glass, it indicates insufficient refrigerant level requiring recharge. 2. If no bubbles are visible during normal operation and no transient bubbles appear when the AC stops, it signifies overcharged refrigerant needing discharge. 3. If no bubbles are present during operation but transient bubbles appear upon shutdown, the refrigerant level is normal. III. Checking for oil traces: Inspect AC system connections for oil stains; their presence indicates refrigerant deficiency requiring recharge.