Recgarging AC

[RED1.8T]

What is an average price to have the AC recharged?
Also, I remember reading that our AC system runs at a different PSI or something like that. Is that true, and is there anything I should look out for to make sure the AC is recharged properly?

[20vpower]

i just bought a kit at kragen, cost like 20 bucks. followed directions now my ac is chillin

[04QuattroTurbo]

Don't overfill the system, check the levels first before charging. Don't get refrigerant on anything plastic or paint.

[vdubstreets]

I need to recharge my A/C as well, but i need to vaccume it first since it is open system.

[RED1.8T]

I've never heard of Kragen, whats that?
Will any of the kits at AutoZone, Advance, or O'Reillys work? Thats my local selection...

[trueno429]

we charge 100 at our shop..its kinda pricey but shops use good equipment that cost thousands of dollars..our snap-on recharger costed us 6g's

[RED1.8T]

I like the $20 recharge better haha

[windyctyaudi]

I've never heard of Kragen, whats that?
Will any of the kits at AutoZone, Advance, or O'Reillys work? Thats my local selection...

Yes, thats where i got mine. all you need is a can of 134a and a recharge hose with a gauge on it. dont over fill it though. jusr read the direction on the back of the hose package should only take a few min. The low pressure adapter to recharge it is located at on the passenger side under the plastic cover next to the battery. but just so you know the hose will only fit on one part of the a/c lines on you car

[20vpower]

kragen = checkers = schucks

[RED1.8T]

Yes, thats where i got mine. all you need is a can of 134a and a recharge hose with a gauge on it. dont over fill it though. jusr read the direction on the back of the hose package should only take a few min. The low pressure adapter to recharge it is located at on the passenger side under the plastic cover next to the battery. but just so you know the hose will only fit on one part of the a/c lines on you car

I'm a total noob at A/C. Would you mind given a quick step-by-step for us all to use when we go to do it?

[04QuattroTurbo]

In California, Kragen's being bought out by O'Reilly's...

[RED1.8T]

In California, Kragen's being bought out by O'Reilly's...

That's why I haven't heard of them haha

[brewmastr]

i reccomend having it done at a shop, a home recharge kit is not your best bet, it may work but if you over charge its kind of hard to gauge where you should be as the gauge they give you isnt very informative. just a chepie low side gauge.

[trueno429]

just get it done at a shop..its accurate. we recover any gas thats already in the system, and then we fill it up to the oem standard amount of charge with new gas.

[Teratorn]

I just recharged mine this weekend. Works great. I was quoted $130 so I decided to try the $20 kit first (R-134a with gauge), and it worked. Start the car and set temp to "Lo". Gauge indicates psi should be in the 25 - 45 psi range. Mine was initially at 28psi. The car got cold at night but during the day, it could barely cope.

Shake the can and dispense the refrigerant making sure you shake the can every 3 secs or so and check the reading often to make sure you don't over fill. I dispensed almost all of the 18oz can before the psi reading was at 40 psi.

Also a good idea to check the psi a week later to make sure you don't have a leak which might be the cause to begin with.

[RED1.8T]

Well, before forking out a Ben, I'm gonna give it a shot tomorrow. If that doesn't work, o well.

[brewmastr]

but see the problem with those kits is you can be cold but are you really as cold as you can get? is the efficency correct? you can overcharge be blowing 48 degrees on a 70 degree day but when its 90 outside you will be blowing in the 50's which is not good at all, if you get it done at a shop its accurate, and they will should inject dye in the system too to find future refrigerant leaks.

[rtb98]

hey guys, how do you know your AC got some low pressure ?

mine is still working, but holy shit, i need to leave it almost at maximum fan speed to get something nice !

is the gaz can getting old ? i mean, do you need to change it or just top it up ?

[rtb98]

ttt

[20vpower]

you use the gauge that comes with the kit to test the pressure

[dougyfresh]

i reccomend having it done at a shop, a home recharge kit is not your best bet, it may work but if you over charge its kind of hard to gauge where you should be as the gauge they give you isnt very informative. just a chepie low side gauge.

I second that. If you realized how much it costs to replace the items in our B6 A4 A/C system you'd spend the $100 or whatever it is for a shop to vacuum and recharge the system.

Here is some reading that, hopefully, will waken you all up: http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218147


Word of advice: Do not drive your car with the system completely empty.