How do I add refrigerant to my 2001 PT Cruiser AC?

Discussion in 'PT Cruiser' started by Pete E. Kruzer, Jun 7, 2009.

  1. How do I add refrigerant to my 2001 PT Cruiser AC? The compressor is
    running, the air is slightly cooler enough to straight outside air to
    know that it is cooling the air a little. But it is no where close to
    how cold the AC air was last summer.
     
    Pete E. Kruzer, Jun 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Pete E. Kruzer

    TM Guest


    I sympathize with you, but a/c systems are not for the shadetree mechanic.

    Take it in for a proper diagnosis. You can do more damage to the car (not to
    mention yourself) by kludging around with it.
     
    TM, Jun 8, 2009
    #2
  3. Pete E. Kruzer

    AFX Guest

    Unfortunately those mechanics (at least here) will charge you a
    ridiculous fee for anything pertaining to the AC (again maybe just in
    Houston since its so hot)

    What I did with no knowledge of AC systems is went to Harbor Freight
    and bought some AC meters (hi and low with an 134a input) and bought a
    DVD from auto zone for 5 dollars that explains EVERYTHING about the AC
    system. Worked out great, Ive since then had to replace 2 nearly
    entire AC systems for friends as well as the reciver/dryer, evap core,
    compressor and hi-line on my Concorde. Its not terribly hard if you
    follow directions.
     
    AFX, Jun 8, 2009
    #3
  4. Pete E. Kruzer

    Bill Putney Guest

    If you saw the expense of all the equipment for refrigerant recovery and
    everything else a shop has to have just to be able to legally work on
    them, you'd understand the ridiculous fees for a.c. work.

    But you're right, it is do-able with some self education. I replaced
    the evaporator on one of my Concordes and did all the things it takes to
    evacuate the system and charge it up, including the extra step that the
    shops don't do of purging it with nitrogen before the re-fill.

    Avoid putting sealers into a system. Besides sealers seldom stopping a
    leak for more than a few days or weeks (if at all), I've read that if
    you ever do have to have a shop work on that system, they get a little
    testy about it and may charge you extra or refuse to work on it
    altogether because of the sealer - messes up their recovery equipment,
    so they either have to do special workarounds to not contaminate their
    recovery system or they have to decontaminate their recovery system
    after the work is done (if they found out after the fact that there was
    sealer in the system). I doubt if your AutoZone CD told you that
    (because they like to sell the "everything in a can secret super-cooling
    ingredient/dye/oil/sealer for the DIY'er a.c. repair). :)

    Adding makeup oil is a good idea, and adding dye is not bad (if it's not
    overdone - too much can create problems), but sealer should be avoided -
    if there's a leak, it should be fixed at the root cause.

    There are two kinds of oil - Esther and PAG - you need to know which
    your system takes - I think most if not all Chryslers take PAG oil, but
    don't assume that.
     
    Bill Putney, Jun 8, 2009
    #4
  5. Pete E. Kruzer

    Steve Guest

    While I agree that you can do a lot of damage by plunging in blindly, AC
    repair is actually VERY simple and well within the capabilities of a
    shadetree mechanic with good knowledge of AC and a few specific tools.


    For the OP- the first thing to determine is whether or not its low on
    refrigerant or had some other problem. Get a set of gauges (a manifold
    set is best, but you can do it with single high-side and low-side
    gauges. Measure the pressures with the engine running and the AC on full
    blast (high fan, fresh air). The low-side pressure should be down around
    30 PSI, the high side can be anywhere from 150 to 300 depending on
    ambient temperature. If its in the 90s outside, then you should see in
    the mid 200s (there's a table you can dig up that gives you the normal
    pressure vs. liquid line temperature, so you really need a thermometer
    that can measure the temp of the line from the condensor to the
    expansion valve.) If those pressures are even close, though, I'd start
    looking elsewhere. Is the electric radiator fan running when the AC
    comes on? Best bet is to read a book or get a DVD on the basics of AC
    repair.
     
    Steve, Jun 8, 2009
    #5
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