DIY A/C Recharge kit for 2002 Sonata GLS

Discussion in 'Hyundai Sonata' started by Thee Chicago Wolf, Aug 8, 2006.

  1. Aftermarket freon refill kits should BE BANNED. They are dangerous in
    Gotten a lot of good information from here and it seems like the
    re-charge kits are more trouble than they're worth. But now that I
    have had my 02 Sonata for nearly 5 years and the A/C is finally
    starting to go, if a shop does it properly, should I not expect it to
    last me another 4+ years?

    - Thee Chicago Wolf
     
    Thee Chicago Wolf, Aug 14, 2006
    #21
  2. 'But now that I have had my 02 Sonata for nearly 5 years and the A/C is
    finally starting to go, if a shop does it properly, should I not expect
    it to last me another 4+ years?
    - Thee Chicago Wolf'

    REPLY: It could, and, it may not before needing more attention ; if
    you need a recharge every couple of years then that isnt so bad and you
    can certainly budget for it. I have a 1998 Chevy Cargo Van with a 305
    cid motor and the a/c system has worked flawlessly with 120,000 miles on
    it. I pressure wash the condensor several times per summer as it sees
    alot of construction sites , which helps keep the internal pressures
    resonable and in the normal range for the ambient temp it is. On
    automotive a/c systems...the biggest culprit are leaking O-rings
    followed by a leaking Compressor Shaft Seal (as evidenced by a straight
    line of oily deposits found on the underside of your hood) .
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Aug 14, 2006
    #22
  3. REPLY: It could, and, it may not before needing more attention ; if
    This is all new info to me. Since I've been pretty ok for 4 years, I
    figured my system is pretty healthy (no bad -O-rings, cracks, etc.).
    Since I've decided I am going to take it to either Pep Boys or Jiffy
    Lube, I wanna make sure they aren't gonna try and shaft me by saying
    my o-rings are bad or I have leaks. How could I check this stuff to
    make sure I am not being fleeced?

    - Thee Chicago Wolf
     
    Thee Chicago Wolf, Aug 15, 2006
    #23
  4. Thee Chicago Wolf

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]
    If it isn't broke, don't fix it! You would know if you have a leak, the
    system would not work or not work very well.

    Operating at low charge is fairly easy to detect. You can hear the AC
    clutch cut in and out very frequently. As it cuts in, the system quickly
    cuts out via a low pressure switch.

    This test requires a reasonable load on the AC. The clutch may cycle
    quickly if it is cool out even in a properly charged system.

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 16, 2006
    #24
  5. Thee Chicago Wolf

    gerry Guest

    [original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]
    Nobody can answer that in advance. If it had a very slow leak which is
    undetectable, a recharge may be cost effective without repairing the
    leak that can't be found. This actually is common! Sniffers can't find
    all leaks, neither can dye. Very slow leaks in concealed areas's are a
    nightmare to find. They usually get worse, not always.

    A few cautions:

    - Be very wary of system "leak stop" additives. Many are harsh and many
    shops won't touch a system with those added since it might contaminate
    their equipment. There are a additives that are pretty gentle, often
    they don't help, sometimes they do.

    - Never let a system stand with no charge. It has a leak that most
    likely will let moisture in. Moisture and r-134a oils create acids that
    will destroy internal components.

    gerry
     
    gerry, Aug 16, 2006
    #25
  6. 'I wanna make sure they aren't gonna try and shaft me by saying my
    o-rings are bad or I have leaks. How could I check this stuff to make
    sure I am not being fleeced?
    - Thee Chicago Wolf'

    REPLY: Take a small container of liquid dish soap and mix it with water
    (50/50 solution) , or, buy some spray Fantastic cleaner ... and coat all
    connections on the a/c system that are accessible. The a/c doesnt need
    to be in operation. Look for tiny bubbles to appear ; look all around
    the fitting even underneath. If you see constant bubbles , then there
    is a tiny leak. Look on the underside of your hood -- do you see a thin
    line of oilyness about 4-10 inches long directly above the a/c
    compressor ? If so, you had/have a freon leak from the shaft seal of
    the compressor.

    Thats about as far as you can go without using electronic instruments
    for freon leak testing.
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Aug 17, 2006
    #26
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