Freon is an excellent refrigerant that is utilized in automobile air conditioning systems. Car air conditioners, unlike residential refrigerators, are linked by additional rubber wires. There is no guarantee that the refrigerant will not leak; it will begin to evaporate gradually even through the slightest breaches in the seals. As a result, automotive air conditioners must be serviced on a regular basis.

What should we know about freon?

According to studies, a person can feel pleasant at temperatures ranging from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius (68 80. 6 F). However, when the humidity is 70%, a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius (70 F) is just as ideal as a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius (80. 6 F) with a humidity of 30%. Because humidity might fluctuate on hot days (depending on the region), the driver must experiment with the temperature to achieve a comfortable temperature in the automobile.

The temperature cannot be controlled if the air conditioning fails, which most typically occurs due to a freon leak. What you need know about this refrigerant is as follows:

• Freon is a colorless gas or liquid that has no odor. In terms of chemical properties, the freon is inert, however, in the event of large leaks, they are seriously harmful to the environment. When heated to high temperatures, they become very toxic. The volume of freon poured into the system depends on the car model and is always indicated on the car’s identity card.
• the car ac is a complex refrigeration device whose elements are connected by freon wires;
• a certain percentage of freon is used as a lubricant. The manufacturer adds oil to the freon, as it reduces the wear of the friction parts. And precisely for this reason, the ac must be turned on periodically for 10-15 minutes, to cover with a thin layer of the inside of the air conditioning;
• the frequency of the freon supply in the ac depends on the age of the car. Usually, we add freon to a new car only after 2-3 years of operation, and if the car is more than 7 years old, we add freon every year.

How to fill a car ac with refrigerant

Today, only two forms of automotive freons are frequently utilized, with the third being relatively new:

• R12. It has an excellent cooling capacity and low energy consumption. In its composition, chlorine, negatively affects the environment. Studies have shown that the long-term use of this refrigerant in air conditioning has negatively affected the Earth’s ozone layer.
• R134a. According to the thermodynamic characteristics, it is close to the R12 freon, however, it is 10-15% worse in terms of cooling capacity and is more fluid. Today it is often used in refrigeration equipment. In a car ac, using this type of freon 20 years ago was difficult.
• R1234yf. A new generation of freons complying with the EG / 706/2007 standard. An environmentally friendly gaseous refrigerant, which is unfortunately flammable. Until 2017, it was used quite rarely, but now, according to the decrees of several countries, it will be a priority. Because it is rarely used (and will be for a few more years), we only notice that it is forbidden to mix it with one of the two types of freons above.

Only the first two forms of freon have been employed thus far. However, mixing R12 with R134a (or vice versa) is strictly prohibited. Possible flaws Parts wear down faster, and cooling capacity changes.

More about the differences between freon

It is critical to know what was previously poured into the system if you wish to provide air conditioning with freon. The car’s registration card contains recommendations. However, other than the efficiency and some thermodynamic factors, it is not stated what the difference between R12 and R134a is. We’ll attempt to be as specific as possible:

Finally, an extremely essential question:

• R12 dehydrated freon is neutral to metals and does not have a high degree of an explosion risk, but copper-containing R134a affects the environment. Also, when air enters the freon line and is further compressed, the freon becomes fuel. However, you do not have to worry about the combustible properties of the R134a: the volume of the system is small, so it will not damage the car ac too much;
• due to the different fluidity, different hoses must be used. This is important. It was mentioned above, but to use another type of freon it is necessary to constructively change the car air conditioning system;
• the decomposition temperature of both freons exceeds 330 degrees Celsius (626 F). Decomposition products cause health problems. Moreover, R134a is, in some cases, more aggressive towards the human body. However, it does not harm the environment so much.

If I have R12, can I use a different freon?

Of course, you can use it, but only once the air conditioning system has been updated. It is really expensive. There is no use in switching to R12 if the system has already been converted for R134a. Furthermore, you will save nothing and increase the car’s negative impact on the environment.

Transfer from one type of freon to another

Almost all upgrades to automotive components are expensive. The driver chooses whether it is worthwhile. To convert from R12 to R134a, the following things must be replaced:

• Volume. Its replacement is necessary because when using another freon, the heat transfer will also change. Consequently, the capacitor volumes must also change;
• Connecting the hoses. The new hoses have a nylon inner cover;
• Expansion valve. Replacement is necessary because the pressure also changes.

Only professionals should perform the work. If performed under typical conditions, the pipe, sealing materials, and compressor will not survive long.

How do you choose the refrigerant?

First, discover the type of freon that was previously used in the system. The automobile manual contains all of the important information. However, there is another approach to determine whether R12 or R134 has been used previously. If the vehicle was produced prior to 1992, the first freon is almost certainly used.

We’ll now decide how much freon to add. Before you begin, you should check the pressure. A pressure gauge station and a set of hoses are required (usually the hoses are also included in a set with a station at an average price). Purchase a tube adapter as well.

Under the hood, locate the air conditioning lines. There will be two types of pressure: high pressure and low pressure. The high pressure line is composed of the lowest diameter tubes.

After connecting the station via the adapter, start the engine (to allow the freon to move along the pipe) and check the pressure readings. Normally, it ranges between 250 and 270. The ideal pressure ranges between 280 and 290.

You can now replenish the ac. A one-liter freon barrel will last for multiple refills. In this situation, the same track station is required. The hoses must be used to connect the system to the bottle and pressure gauge. Simultaneously, the vehicle’s engine should be idling at speeds of up to 2000.

The air conditioner is set to recirculate. Following that, it refuels itself. Every 2 to 3 minutes, remove the pressure gauge valve and watch the pressure readings. Refueling can be stopped as soon as the indicators reach ideal.

Please keep in mind that dust and dirt should never enter the trunk. It is best to replace as soon as possible. Dry, clean, and cool spaces are ideal for this.

It is important to realize that the quality of automobile freon is comparable. This implies you don’t have to scrutinize the brand as long as the type of freon is appropriate for your vehicle.

Those that work with automotive air conditioning are typically specialists. This is hardly unexpected given how basic the air conditioning system appears at first look. In reality, both its construction and repair necessitate the expertise of individuals with degrees in refrigeration and cryogenic engineering.

Certain things, however, the driver can perform on his own. Check for the same refrigerant leaks, for example, using special devices known as leak sensors. The driver can replenish the air conditioner.

Most current automobiles have air conditioning. And it is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Unfortunately, it necessitates freon maintenance and refilling. According to experts, freon evaporates from the system at a rate of 10 to 15% each year, reducing cooling efficiency year after year.

As a result, the air conditioner must be refilled. Some drivers add freon every year, while others charge it many times a season subconsciously.

How to recharge the car’s air conditioning?

Almost every new car made after 1992 uses freon R 134a. A sticker under the hood indicating the type of freon used in the system and its weight can serve as proof of this.

If you opt to power the car’s air conditioning from home, first read this sticker. This way, you’ll know exactly how much and what kind of freon you need. Use this information to guide your purchase of a freon bottle in a retailer.

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to replenish independently:

• metrological station;
• hose;
• freon bottle for connection;
• adapter with a tap to connect the station.

How do you recharge the air conditioner in case of a freon leak?

Many drivers replenish without considering where the freon has gone. However, some people are aware that they have a leak in their air conditioning system, which allows the gas to escape.

It is required to replenish the air conditioning in this situation, but it must be done appropriately. You could attend a specialized workshop.

However, there are various methods for detecting leakage. The most basic and least expensive method, which is commonly used at many petrol stations, is to apply a soap solution to an air conditioning system.

When the solution seeps, a soap bubble forms and proceeds to inflate. It is feasible to identify a leak in the air conditioning system in 10 minutes using such a simple and free method.

There is no purpose in activating or fully charging the system if a freon leak is detected. Troubleshooting is required in this instance. If it is a radiator, the leak is usually sealed. However, there are situations when the radiator must be replaced entirely.

If a leak occurs, it must be rectified as soon as possible. This scenario should not be delayed for long, because after the freon seeps out of the system through the hole in the tubes or radiator, air can enter and oxidize some system elements or start the corrosion processes.

Pressure test

Before refilling the ac, ensure sure there are no leaks and that the system can tolerate high pressures. This can be accomplished in the workshop by increasing the pressure in the system, typically with nitrogen.

Nitrogen is added into the system, and the pressure is measured. After roughly 20-30 minutes, if the value of the manometer does not change, this indicates that the seal is adequate.

In this scenario, you may either do it yourself or go to the workshop to refuel the air conditioner. Typically, the system check service is inexpensive.

How much does it cost to charge the car ac?

If there is insufficient freon in the system, there are two possibilities.

You can either replenish yourself or engage a skilled workshop. A full refill in a workshop costs about 45$-60$ on average.

Some drivers only add a small amount of freon to the system rather than entirely filling it. This costs about $4-5 per 100 grams on average. Experts determine how much freon is missing from the system and add it until the proper pressure is achieved.

The following are the prices for standard refrigerant recharging operations, which include cleaning and vacuuming:

• standard refrigerant – $ 55
• ECO refrigerant – $ 135
• simple sanitation – $ 25

Some service stations have reduced prices, while others have higher prices. Everyone, however, picks where to refill the ac.

Air conditioning care

You now understand how to recharge the car’s air conditioning system at home. Let us now discuss the rules of care. wash the radiator at least once every 3 months, because dirt and dust constantly settle on it, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the device.

You should heat the air conditioner at least once a month during the winter. To heat up, drive the car in a warm location and turn on the cooler for 15 to 30 minutes. If there is a leak, contact a workshop to have the hoses repaired.