How to Vacuum and Recharge a HVAC Air Conditioner

air conditioner vacuum recharge

Description

 There are two types of air condition system recharge procedures. The first includes adding a small amount of refrigerant (simple recharge) to bring the system back to a full state of charge and a more in depth service which includes vacuuming down and recharging the system from scratch. This service is usually performed once a repair has been completed (system opened). The air conditioning system in your car is not that complicated, if you need a refresher course please visit this guide. Learn more: How a car air conditioners work

Types of refrigerant

  • R-12: This is typically in older vehicles built before 1994
  • R-134a: Adding additional molecules to the R-12 formula has created a more environment friendly refrigerant which is now being phased out
  • 1234yf: The latest and even more environment friendly refrigerant is flammable (the earlier predecessors r-12 and r-134a or not) this will be a much more expensive substance. Due to this flammability most German cars have opted to stay with R-134a sighting potential fires in front end collisions. In 2014 this refrigerant has begun to be phased in. Most system will have a label or ticker identifying the refrigerant used.

What goes wrong?

 The correct pressure is the most important aspect of any air conditioning system when pressure get to low or high the system will not work properly. These pressures are subject to outside temperatures as well, the higher the temperature the higher the relative pressure inside the system. Another aspect to the system is moisture and lubricating oil which can cause the compressor or other components to fail prematurely. If the system is not vacuumed it will not be as cold due to air trapped inside. Many manufactures recommend the system be vacuumed down each time a service is performed to remove residual moisture which helps the compressor last longer.

What's the cost?

Of course there is an initial layout cash to get the recharge equipment but once that is purchased the cost of refrigerant is relatively inexpensive (except 1234yf). Getting the supplies needed to complete this service from Amazon is about $119.00 bucks. If a shop or dealer does the job the one time cost will be about $160.00

Let's Begin

The following process removes damage causing moisture once the system has been opened up and repairs performed.

Step 1: Locating High and Low Side Service Ports

Park the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off. Apply the emergency brake with the transmission in park and wear protective eyewear and gloves. After replacing a failed component the system is "flat" you are now ready to vacuum the system down and recharge it. The high side port should be on the line between the condenser and the expansion valve or orifice tube while the low side port will be on the return line between the evaporator (firewall) and compressor.

The high side port is larger in size than the low side. If you are servicing the system or doing repairs that require the removal for the refrigerant continue down to Step 9 of the guide to the refrigerant removal section.

high low side ac charge ports

Step 2: Prepare the Gauge Set

A gauge set is needed to connect to the system on both high and low side pressure ports and it will also be used to vacuum down and recharge the system. Inspect the connections to make sure they are tight to avoid leakage. These units must be "air tight" and not have any leaks at hose fittings or valves. The red colored gauge and connector valve represents the high pressure side of the system while the blue color represents the low pressure side.

The center hose (yellow) is connected to the vacuum pump and then the new refrigerant supply bottle or can. Both gauge valves should be closed before attaching them to the system.

ac gauge set

Step 3: Connect the Gauges to the System

After repairs have been made, locate the low side service port on the return hose to the compressor and then connect your gauges to the port by lifting up the connector ring and pushing downward. Then turn the valve screw (blue part) inward (clockwise) this will open the service valve below.

connect gauges to low side

Repeat this process for both high and low side ports. The high and low side fittings will only work on their respective ports due to size constraints to avoid confusion. Once secured tighten the valve which activates the internal plunger that opens the service port valve to the refrigerant lines.

tighen ac fitting

Step 4: Gauge Readings

Now observe both high and low side gauges with the valves closed there should be little to no pressure in the system.

no pressure ac gauge

Step 5: Connect the Vacuum Pump

Connect the center hose from the gauge set (yellow) to the vacuum pump and turn the unit on. This step is used to remove any moisture and static air from inside the system. These systems have a mixture of refrigerant and oil to keep the air conditioning compressor lubricated during operation. Measuring the amount of (peg) oil in the system is difficult because it's spread throughout the system, in other words if there is a major leak and oil is dripping out the system will need a small amount of oil. Unlike a very small leak which releases little to no oil you must be the judge of this and add appropriately.

connect hose to vacuum pump

Step 6:  Vacuum the System

Slowly open the low side gauge valve the pump will now start pulling vacuum throughout the system as the gauge needle slowly moves into vacuum. The pump will change in tone once the valve has been opened and it starts to pull air out of the system.

open low side valve ac gauge

Once the vacuum pump has been on for 30 minutes close the low side valve and turn the pump off. The system should hold at 28-29 inches. If the system never reaches 28-29 inches there is a large leak. If the system loses vacuum after the valve is closed there is a small leak and the system must be rechecked. System leaks can include a faulty O ring seal or a loose hose on the valve set. If the system holds vacuum for 15 minutes proceed to the next step.

29 inches vacuum

Step 7: Charge the Air Conditioner System

Disconnect the yellow hose from the vacuum pump and attach it to a new r134a refrigerant source which could be a keg (shown) or individual cans which are both available on Amazon or at the local auto parts store.

134a refrigerant

Watch the Video!

Please watch this video of the job being done, then continue down the guide to glean additional helpful information.

Open the valve on the keg and turn it over to allow the liquid refrigerant to be present at the valve which will charge the system more rapidly. If you are using individual cans connect them to the hose and turn the can over as well.

open 134a bottle

While the gauge valves are still closed and once the refrigerant source has been opened the gauges will respond with an equal readings on both high and low side letting you know that refrigerant is present and ready to be installed. This is static pressure which will vary depending on the outside temperature. The warmer the weather the higher the reading will be. This is normal.

Each system has a specific amount of refrigerant that it needs to operate correctly. This amount is located in the owner's manual or on the system sticker label. If you are using a keg and digital bathroom scale will help tell you how much has been installed. Using the cans make this easier because they say how many ounces are in each can. This guide will successfully recharge the system even if this information is not available.

static ac pressure

Reference the image below to see how the refrigerant will flow (arrows) once the low side gauge is opened. Never open the high side valve. The high side connection is for monitoring purposes only.

refrigerant flow

Start the engine and turn the system to the highest settings of coldness and fan speed. This will work the system to its fullest capacity which will help you charge the system completely.

air conditioner on

Once the engine is running and the system is switched on slowly open the low side (blue) valve (never open the valve completely) until the refrigerant starts to flow into the system. This will turn the compressor on via the system pressure sensor. When this happens low the gauge pressure will start to drop and the compressor will cycle on and off as the system low side pressure rises and then lowers, continue to add refrigerant. The high side pressure will steadily start to rise. It helps to have a helper raise the engine idle slightly and to use a garden hose to spray water over the condenser at the front of the vehicle to help cool it down.

low side drop

Continue adding r134a until the gauges start to look like this and the compressor stops cycling. If both gauges are too high the system is overcharged or the cooling fan is not working. If high side pressure runs way up quickly (300+) and the low side goes into a vacuum the system has blockage such as a plugged expansion valve or orifice tube. If the compressor engages and neither gauge pressures move (stay the same) the compressor has failed and needs replacement.

Outside Temperature - Low Pressure - High Pressure

75° F 30 - 40 psi 150 - 170 psi

85° F 45 - 55 psi 220 - 250 psi

95° F 50 - 55 psi 275 - 300 psi

typical ac gauge readings

As pressures rise monitor the temperature of outgoing line of the evaporator and air vents in the passenger compartment. Both should be cold to the touch signaling the system is full. Do not install more refrigerant thinking it will make the system even colder in fact it will do the opposite and make the system warmer as it's unable to achieve the pressure drop needed inside the evaporator.

temperature check evaporator

Once the system is performing properly and producing cold air the gauge set is ready to be removed. If the system is not working troubleshooting is needed.

close gauge valve

Step 8: Disconnecting the Gauge Set

After you have completed the charge turn the ignition switch off and the system will shut down along with the engine.

turn key off

With the engine off turn the high side connector counterclockwise to close the internal valve and release the plunger effectively closing the service port, repeat this procedure for both high and low side valves.

close ac gauge valve

Firmly grasp the valve retainer and pull up this will release the connector from the service port. You will get a slight pressure release sound when this is done, which is normal, repeat this procedure for both valves.

release gauge valve

Once both valves have been removed reinstall the dust caps for each service port. Once the job is complete close the refrigerant supply valve and store the gauge set properly for the next repair. Enjoy the cold air!

reinstall dust cap

Step 9: Refrigerant Recovery

A fully charged system contains refrigerant under pressure (70 to 90 psi static - system not running). If you are performing this service without repairs then the system must be discharged which, is done with a recovery machine. Allowing the refrigerant r134a to leak into the atmosphere is illegal though not harmful compared to it's predecessor r12 which was slowly bled out of the system by loosening a hose fitting at the gauge set. This liquid/gas can be recovered if you have a recovery machine which most do not, this machine is mostly found in repair shops. Locate a garage to have the refrigerant recovered before work begins. The recycling machine gathers refrigerant along with a small amount of compressor oil which is then is separated into individual tanks.

ac recovery machine

Watch the video!

Air conditioner vacuum down and recharge

Questions?

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