Car Air Conditioning - Servicing & Repairs

Topping up your Car Air Conditioning System

There are numerous places you can have your vehicle A/C topped up now but it is also possible to buy DIY top up kits. The following is a simple guide to topping up your system with refrigerant yourself.

Important Note: Dealing with refrigerant is not something you should do casually. It can be dangerous, even fatal. Note all warnings on the refrigerant can. This is a guide and I take no responsibility for any injury/damage as a result of using this information. Wear gloves and safety glasses before handling this task.

Here I'm using the example of a Peugeot 306 Air conditioning system installed on a 2000 model 306 DTurbo (HDi) car.

You have two sides, the high pressure side and low pressure side. Note the two valves on pipes just behind the offside headlight. The valve arrowed is the one for the low pressure side - this is the only side you use to refill. NEVER use the high pressure side! The low pressure side also has a wider diameter pipe, though this is not always the case.

This is typically what you need to top up your system, a charging hose and a can of refrigerant. You can buy these DIY air conditioning recharge kits over the internet and in some Car parts stores. This particular hose is advised as it has a pressure gauge indicating if your system is over or underfilled on your car.  Overfilling the system can damage it.

One side of the hose has a tap which pierces the refrigerant can, the other side connects to the A/C low pressure side valve.

Screw the can first to the hose ensuring the piercing tap is in the up position (unpierced). Then connect the other end to your A/C service valve by lifting the ring connector, pushing down onto the valve and releasing - ensure the fit is tight. Don't pierce the can yet. You want to monitor the pressure gauge and see if refrigerant is actually required. Turn the engine on and set the A/C to max with the inside fan on high. Wait about 2 to 3 minutes. Now observe your gauge to see whether refrigerant is required.

If the gauge shows the the refrigerant to be low then turn the tap over the can clockwise to pierce the tin. Then turn back anti-clockwise to allow the refrigerant to come through the hose into your system. Hold the can upside down while you do this. If you want to monitor the level of refrigerant again, then turn the tap clockwise to close the gas off and re-check gauge. If your gas was exceptionally low the compressor normally won't work. As you add the gas and get up to a decent level the compressor should click in and start working. If you don't hear the compressor clicking in, get inside the car, turn the A/C button off and on again. You should hear a click and the rev counter will slightly bounce up and down. Check your pressure gauge and add more gas if required. Once you're finished, close the tap again, disconnect the hose from your low pressure side valve, unscrew the refrigerant can and discard.

Leaks?

If you suspect a leak, it's advisable to use a refrigerant can which has an added dye and lubricant on the above operation. As well as help lubricate the system the dye should help identify any leaks quickly.

To be updated.....soon as I can!