leadpipe58

Hi folks
97 GC laradio 6Cyl. The AC is not very cold and there is bubbles in the sight glass.It needs to be recharged Correct?
Witch R do I use and how do I recharge correctly with out all the gauges.
Thanks for your help

razor02097

R134A

To recharge correctly you will need gauges and a chart. When you turn the AC on full blast and pop the hood, does the compressor remain engaged or does it cycle on and off?

Bustedback

Take it to a shop if you're not sure how an A/C system works and do not have the tools to work on it.

leadpipe58

Thank you
I have repaired power boats for 20+ years but have little experience working on AC besides theory. I had hoped there was a simple way to use the recharge kits you see in the stores.
I will see my local shop.
Thanks again

Bustedback

To fix it correctly you need an A/C machine that will evacuate the refridgerant, then you can repair the leak, the put the system under a vacuum to boil out any moisture, make sure the vacuum holds for 15 minutes, then recharge the system with the proper amount of refridgerant, and then recheck for leaks. You can't do that with just a Wal-Mart recharge hose and a can of R134a If you need to recharge, you have a leak. If you have a leak, you have air and moisture in the system.

razor02097

You can get the tools you would need for servicing an A/C system...
It would be about $150 for the vacuum pump and gauges...
then add any sort of oil (if you replace a component) and R134A you would need.

Or pay a shop if you don't want to mess with it....which is probably a better choice. If you have a leak they might just charge it and put dye in if they can't find it.

pwb

In Norway all places that do services on A/C says that 10-15% of the gas leaks out every year no mather you have a leak or not. They recomend replacing the gas every 2-3 year. But thats because we have low temperature in the winter and that the A/C dont run at all 4-5 months a year.

Bustedback

Let me guess, the shops that are telling you that it's normal to lose 10-15% of the charge are the very same shops that are in business to recharge A/C systems? Refridgerant does not wear out, it will last forever as long as there are no leaks.

pwb

No, not only the shops. The reason is that in the winter the A/C dont run and the gaskets is drying out and then it leak.

sunkenjeep

Let me know how much that costs you. I need to have the same thing done.

Bustedback

Those $29.00 A/C specials are a rip off designed to get you into their shop just so they can sell you on "fixing" a big "problem" that your A/C system has. If your A/C is blowing cold and functioning as it should, there is no reason to have it serviced. About the only thing to do to a functioning system is to clean the bugs off of the condensor, check the belt for tension and wear, and make sure the evaporator drain is not plugged.

jronald

I think the crowd has gone a little to literal on this one. SIGNIFICANT bubbles in the sight glass are an indicator the system is low on charge, so it probably has a leak somewhere. The Jeep I purchased has not had AC for almost 2 years. As part of the repair we added freon and dye to the system to find the leak......except, the pressures have remained steady, and we can not find a leak! This is more than 1 month later!
That's good for me, but bad for the shop.

My suggestion is too add a little freon, see if the temp drops and for how long. Eventually something will fail majorly and then you will need to take care of it.

Ron

Donald Mang

Exactly how much refrigerant would go into a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I have read 27 oz. And also going by a chart giving you temperature outside and how much pressure there should be.

4.3L XJ

From experience, if you have very small bubbles or just a fog, it is probably very close to properly charged. If you charge it enough to get rid of the bubbles entirely, it will be overcharged. It may seem colder, but it makes the compressor work harder and will drop your milage slightly