my car’s AC system with a recharge kit
Your car’s air conditioning system is a complex piece of engineering. If you’re not getting ice-cold air from it, chances are that the refrigerant levels have dropped significantly or that there is a major problem with your AC compressor. A faulty compressor can be expensive to repair, and it will also prevent your car from cooling properly. That’s why it’s important to know whether or not an ac recharge kit can damage your AC compressor.
An ac recharge kit is a can of refrigerant that comes with a hose and a pressure gauge to help you refill your car’s air conditioner. Typically, these kits cost under $50 for a can of R134a refrigerant and a hose. Unfortunately, many of them use a refrigerant that is incompatible with most modern cars, and they include a seal-conditioner additive that can gunk up your A/C system’s hoses and compressor, causing it to fail prematurely.
The other big issue with these DIY a/c car recharge kit is that they don’t come with manifold gauges that measure both the high and low side pressures of your car’s air conditioning system. A manifold gauge is essential to accurately charging your car’s AC system, and it can be purchased for under $20 at most auto parts stores. The pressure gauges on a recharge kit are usually very simplified, and they can easily give you an inaccurate reading. This can result in overcharging the system, which can blow a hose or even ruin the compressor, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Can I overcharge my car’s AC system with a recharge kit?
Another big reason that you shouldn’t trust an ac recharge kit to fix your air conditioner is that it won’t actually help you find any leaks. The a/c recharge kits that you can buy at auto parts stores often contain a seal-leak sealer, which will temporarily plug a leak in your air conditioning system. However, the problem will eventually reappear because the seal-leak sealer will dry out over time.
A better option would be to purchase an a/c leak detector kit, which will use a UV light to show you where your leak is located. These kits can be found at most auto parts stores, but they can still be expensive and aren’t very easy to use.
An a/c recharge kit can be tempting because it can seem like an affordable, convenient alternative to a professional automotive AC service. However, using a recharge kit can lead to costly damages and will only delay your trip to the shop until your air conditioning fails in scorching summer temperatures. That’s why we recommend visiting a local expert for professional automotive AC repair. Our technicians are experienced and equipped to diagnose and repair your car’s AC problems. We can help you get back on the road with a working AC in no time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
