Recharged the AC!

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Gottagetone

Gottagetone

10 Year
Joined
May 27, 2011
Threads
61
Messages
1,020
Location
Austin, Texas
I picked up my LC on Friday after having the tranny replaced and it was hot as a MOFO outside. We drove from Dallas to Wichita Falls where it was hotter then the next day we headed up to OKC where the needle popped 115* at one point. Sitting still the AC was not blowing cold, while driving all seemed to work well, in a black truck this was just not acceptable. Next stop, AutoZone for a can of Quest R-134A with synthetic AC booster or something like that. The can comes with a pressure gauge already attached that is removable to use on your next can.

The stuff is simple to use and is definately a :banana: job. Start the truck and put the AC on high. Set the pressure gauge to the outside temp, there is a chart on the back of the can to follow as well, then hook the quick connector to the low pressure side of the AC line. The low pressure valve is under the hood near the fire wall on the passenger side, its the cap with the "L" on it. After the line is connected you will be able to read the current pressure, if your pressure is below the V markings on the pressure gauge then you need to add some refrigerant, in my case it was quite low but the compressor was still kicking on.

To add the refrigerant simply screw the needle on the top of the can down to puncture the top then slowly unscrew to release the gas. As the gas starts to flow into the system give the can a little bit of a shake to get it flowing. You will see the needle start to rise, this means its working. When the pressure needle is in the middle of the V marks then you are good to go. Do not over pressurize the system, this is a big no no!

The can cost me $35 and I still have coolant left and a nifty pressure gauge to use on the next can. Oh, and my AC is now working much better.
 
After 11 years, I think it is just low. Ill continue to check the pressure to see if I notice a drop, fingers crossed that there is not a leak.
 
I've had the same symptoms this summer. Damn Hot in mid-America this year. AC is fine while driving, feels a little anemic at idle. No problems until we started to hit 105 everyday.
 
One of my favorite things about the LX is the ice cold A/C. I have no issues with mine. It freezes me when moving or when stuck in traffic. It is the only car that I want to drive this summer - no other car cools better!

Gotta, pretty cool that it was so easy. I hope that TOD did a good job on the tranny. The parts folks there are fantastic. I have had bad luck with the one service experience I had done (brakes) on my FJ62.
 
Gottagetone said:
After 11 years, I think it is just low. Ill continue to check the pressure to see if I notice a drop, fingers crossed that there is not a leak.
Click to expand...


Why would it be low if there is no leak?
 
^^Texas, it appears that TOD did a fine job with the tranny. I hear noises that are different than before and I think I have located one of them that may or may not have been there before. I will be removing my MT sliders and cutting the top of the mount back a bit, its rubbing the floor board to see if this helps.

e - my guess would be that over the years some refrigerant has seeped out or been used up, I have no good answer. You can call it a leak if you would like but to me a leak spews fairly quickly and warrants repair. If the system keep solid pressure and it drops over a period of years then I will refill rather than repair.
 
^ something else to look forward to.....
 
Trunk Monkey said:
The refrigerant doesn't get used up, it's a constant in there. If the system is low, it's leaking out somewhere. Fast or slow it's a leak.
Click to expand...

thats one thing I have noticed working at a dealership and it actually does get used up over time we have recommended to perform re-charges in the system w/o any leaks found at that time. We see it all the time here in vegas. Im not sure if this happens quite often in extreme heat or what.


Happened to me when I bought my 100 too; a/c just wouldnt cool as quickly - found my shrader valves ok; compressor just fine. All we had to perform was an evacuation and recharge on freon - all good now with our 115 constant degree weather!


-David
 
Gottagetone said:
^^Texas, it appears that TOD did a fine job with the tranny. I hear noises that are different than before and I think I have located one of them that may or may not have been there before. I will be removing my MT sliders and cutting the top of the mount back a bit, its rubbing the floor board to see if this helps.
.
Click to expand...

Good to hear. And it looks like you got some special attention from Toyota reps too.
 
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