What refrigerant types are used in AC car recharge kits?

refrigerant types are used in AC car recharge kits

When your car’s air conditioning system begins leaking, it can be a serious problem. The compressor, condenser, evaporator and receiver-drier are all connected through tubes or hoses, and any one of these can develop seals that leak or break down over time. When this happens, refrigerant escapes and the system stops working properly.

A leaking system can produce less cool air, and the refrigerant itself is an environmental hazard because it depletes our planet’s protective ozone layer. The refrigerant itself is also toxic to touch and inhale, and it contains chemicals that can damage the hoses, pumps, and compressor in your car’s A/C system. It’s possible that your A/C system is low on refrigerant due to a leak, and you may think an inexpensive A/C recharge kit can solve the problem. However, these kits are a bad idea for many reasons, both for you and the environment.

Cheap manual a/c car recharge kit use a combination of refrigerant, compressor oil and a stop-leak sealer that they claim will plug leaks. The problem is, they don’t know what kind of refrigerant your vehicle needs, and if you mix refrigerants the system will suffer irreparable damage. Many kits even offer a hose with a built-in pressure gauge, but these are usually universal and not specific to your vehicle’s year and model.

What refrigerant types are used in AC car recharge kits?

Using an A/C recharge kit can also cause problems by contaminating the system with dirt, debris and water. This can clog the hoses, pumps and compressor in your A/C system, leading to further problems and potentially major, expensive repairs. Leaking refrigerant can also contaminate the atmosphere with toxic gases and deplete our planet’s ozone layer. If you are low on refrigerant, it’s best to let a certified auto mechanic drain and evacuate the system, replace the seals and add the correct amount of refrigerant.

Another issue with these DIY kits is that they only measure pressure on one side of the A/C system. This can lead to overcharging the system, which will result in a hot car rather than cool air. A professional mechanic will be able to accurately measure and monitor both the high and low side of the system, which ensures that your A/C is getting the right amount of refrigerant to operate properly.

Over time, refrigerant will continue to leak from your A/C system, so you’ll need to recharge it regularly. Depending on how often you drive and your climate conditions, this could be every few months or as little as once per summer. Regardless, you should have your A/C system drained, evacuated and professionally serviced every spring to keep it in good condition and to avoid any costly repairs down the road. A professional can also perform other maintenance on your air conditioning to extend its lifespan, such as a replacement of the expansion valve and a lubrication of the compressor and evaporator. This can help prevent your A/C from developing leaks or overheating.