Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to refill the AC with Freon? The AC worked 3 years ago and hasnt been turned on since then? does that mean anything? If anyone has photos or a web-page or step by step instructions through text.

 

With aircon regases it's always best to let an aircon specialist do the job. They will extract all the old refrigerant, test for leaks using high-pressure nitrogen, then regas with the correct weight of gas, plus they normally put in a fluorescer which glows under UV light, thus making leak detection easier. I had this job done once in England and it was around £100, but you can get it done cheaper, if the leak check is omitted.

However, how do you know it needs a regas ?

 

I only ran the AC for 5 min, will run it today for 45 min cause I got a long trip after work.

 

is it 100%? necessary to purge out the old refrigerant? before adding the new refrigerant?

 

Yes, it is absolutely necessary to extract all the refrigerant to ensure only the correct amount is present in the system when you add the new. If you don't take it all out, how do you know how much to add ? I have seen this done, and a very accurate scales is used to measure the stuff out, (whilst it is liquid).

 

I was reading up on changing it cause the dealership charges 160$ and seems dangerous. What about if i have a gauge to read whats left? i was wondering if 3+ year old refrigerant was harmful or useless?

 

3 year old refrigerant has nothing wrong with it, but a pressure test tells you very little, apart from the fact that you have either none or not much, certainly not how much weight of refrigerant you have in the system. That's why it's normally all pumped out and the correct amount put back in. You ought to be able to beat $160, I would think; is that the Jaguar dealer on $160 ? They have to pay for the swanky showroom somehow !

Normally most car makers put a two year cycle on air con checks incl gas check. Main test before testing refrigerant temperature is to check air temperature on exit from the vents on full cooling. It should be above freezing but cold, (I don't know the exact figure). If its too cold the evaporator will freeze up from the water vapour and stop the cooling and the dehumidification of the car interior. If the air exits at the correct temperature, there is nothing wrong with the system and no more attention is needed.

 

Sorry, I meant: -

Main test before testing refrigerant content of the system is to check air temperature on exit from the vents on full cooling