Topping off A/C Refrigerant

Well I was resorted to do it myself. Dealer was too expensive and all the shops near me were booked up. I used pure r134a and checked the sight glass before filling, which had fluid moving readily but a good amount of space around it. Also a brand new hose with gauge so no contamination would occur. I did the standard procedure and in fact the refrigerant was low. The pressure off the low side was around 18 PSI or so, I only added about 1.5-2 oz and it blasts cold air now and is at the perfect pressure. Also pulled out the cabin air filter which was really junked up. Getting a new one tomorrow. Air flow is much better after banging out the old filter and it blows significantly stronger. Sight glass after topping off still bubbles as it should and the compressor runs much smoother than before. It was definitely low. The pressure is perfect on the low side and it hasn’t ever blown this cold, so I expect that this was beginning last season and just now was at the point that it wasn’t cool enough. I was sure to add only enough to make it blow cold and not go overboard and cause damage. The compressor seems to be running with much less effort and much smoother like it did when we first got the car. And man does it blow COLD. I remember riding in my teacher’s gen 2 Prius as a kid (field trips) and the ac was always freezing. Now it feels like that. I’m very happy with the results! Now my partner doesn’t have to melt while driving to class and work, since his car sits in the sun a lot. Woohoo!

 

Yes! The supertech is the cheapest and is pure which is awesome. They sadly run about $9 now, but at this point I don't give a hoot. For $9 I don't even care, but I barely used any from the can I bought. Hopefully it sticks!