AC recharge tip

 
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DougOffline
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Doug McKeown
2001 Grand Prix GTP
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Location: Geneseo
PostPosted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:29 pm    Post subject: AC recharge tip Reply with quote

If you recharge your AC with the small cans of R134, I have found that you can get the charge level up higher by putting the cans in a bucket of hot tap water for 10 minute or so and the AC system will take about 1 can more then outside temp cans. I check the water temp with a meat thermomter to make sure it's not more then 130 degrees. They will pop out the bottom if you heat them a lot higher then that.
Your AC unit will run colder and the charge will last longer. It seems to about equal the performance of having it recharged at a shop with the large bottles of R134. Hope this helps you guys stay COOL Cool
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Matt Antonio
1998 Grand Prix GTX
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Location: SYR/ROC
Age: 24
PostPosted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use my meat thermometer to check Scotty's mom's temperature every night Idea


She is always HOT
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Carl
1996 Other Car
Joined: 31 Mar 2004
Location: Lima, NY
Age: 53
PostPosted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:03 pm    Post subject: Re: AC recharge tip Reply with quote

Doug wrote:
If you recharge your AC with the small cans of R134, I have found that you can get the charge level up higher by putting the cans in a bucket of hot tap water for 10 minute or so and the AC system will take about 1 can more then outside temp cans. I check the water temp with a meat thermomter to make sure it's not more then 130 degrees. They will pop out the bottom if you heat them a lot higher then that.
Your AC unit will run colder and the charge will last longer. It seems to about equal the performance of having it recharged at a shop with the large bottles of R134. Hope this helps you guys stay COOL Cool


I was using those for a little while, but now it broke all the way Crying or Very sad
Hard to justify fixing the AC in a 2000 with 170k, but damn those leather seats suck in the heat.
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Michael Guzzo
1998 Grand Prix GTP
Joined: 03 Oct 2003
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Age: 57
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

good tip, i'm going to add one more can to mine.
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DougOffline
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Doug McKeown
2001 Grand Prix GTP
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Location: Geneseo
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:11 pm    Post subject: Re: AC recharge tip Reply with quote

[quote="bluto2000gs
I was using those for a little while, but now it broke all the way Crying or Very sad
Hard to justify fixing the AC in a 2000 with 170k, but damn those leather seats suck in the heat.[/quote]

What is happening with it? Have you ID'd a leak or is it so low on R134 it won't take a charge bcause the compresser won't engage it's clutch?
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loudgpOffline
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Greg
1996 Grand Prix GT
Joined: 03 May 2006
Location: Ny
Age: 43
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you guys know how much in weight your putting in the system?? The gp's on avg should only be charged to 2.25lb +/- a few if you want a colder charge top off with a can of artic cool/freeze.. not by overcharging the system

The most common mistake made by do-it-yourself is overcharging. Too much refrigerant can reduce cooling efficiency just the same as too little refrigerant. To work properly, the A/C system needs just the right amount. Always refer to the system capacity specs in a shop manual or other source to determine how much refrigerant is required. System capacities are specified in ounces. One can of refrigerant equals about 14 oz.
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DougOffline
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Doug McKeown
2001 Grand Prix GTP
Joined: 19 Mar 2004
Location: Geneseo
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most of the time I have to recharge the system it is not completly evacuated or empty, so I do't know haow many pounds are in the system, just that it is not cooling properly.
What I do is use a guage that attaches to the same port I fill at. Usaully the needle is just touching the low side of the noraml zone. If I put a can in it will bring it up maybe a 1/4 or so into the normal range, but it won't take much more unless I bring the next can up to 120. I try for about 1/2 way ora bit more in the normal range. Many times I wll have 1/3 or so of the 2nd can left. I have tried the Aritic cool and it does make for a cooler system. But it costs a lot more, and if your system is looseing a can every 2-3 weeks during heavy usage,cheap guys like me just get the regular stuff.
I should have said a charge level guage is a good thing to have if you do this sort of DIY maintance on your car. Thanks
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loudgpOffline
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Greg
1996 Grand Prix GT
Joined: 03 May 2006
Location: Ny
Age: 43
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i just see soo many failures due to overcharging and get a hot humid day and the highside headpressures destroy the compressor or pop lines. hondas are known for "blackdeath" and it wipes the entire system out and all has to be replaced.. Just looking out for many who would never of thought....
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Carl
1996 Other Car
Joined: 31 Mar 2004
Location: Lima, NY
Age: 53
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use the gauge that came wth the can.
I don't recal how many lbs since it has been awhile since I did it.
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Ed Green
2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Location: Amherst (Buffalo), NY
Age: 36
PostPosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sounds kinda like nitrous bottles Razz For those w/o bottle heaters, hot water and 5 gallon bucket or bathtub works great.
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