'03 Explorer V8 A/C Recharge Questions

[NJExplorerFan]

Okay, so I'm travelling for the holiday weekend and it is indeed time for an a/c recharge. I was in Target and saw a can of R134A refrigerant for $10.99. The top of it was sealed though and had a connector like you stud in the wheels to screw into. I saw my a/c coolant tank has the same connector.

In addition, I saw another taller can that had a hose attached.

Do I buy the taller can with the hose or the other smaller one with no hose? If I get the smaller one, I guess I need to buy a seperate hose?

Also, a few questions:

1. Is it as simple as unscrewing the black cap in the motor and attach the hose and refill? In other words, connect can to container in motor? Should I do quickly so nothing leaks out?

2. How much would it need? End of last summer it was just approaching the refill line when tested at a gas station.

3. How do I know when it's done filling up? Need a pressure gauge as well I assume?

 

[RangerSVT]

Usually the cans with the hose has a built in gauge that tells you how much you need and when its full...


SVT

 

[turborich]

Here's what you do if you don't have a set of gauges & you're going to do this yourself. You should use a set of gauges however this procedure will work for you.

Buy the can of R-134 with the hose attached to it. You will also need a small thermometer to stick into your middle air vent as the middle vent will get the coldest. You can buy one of these thermometers at Harbor Freight Tools or a auto parts store like Autozone.

Turn your A/C to the Max setting and the blower to the highest setting. Let the truck run for a few minutes with the A/C on so that the system is working and the pressures have stabilized. Attach the fitting to the low side port (don't worry it will only fit onto one of them) Make a note of the temp blowing out of the vent. Open the valve on the can for about 15 seconds, close it & wait at least one minute for the refrigerant to stabilize, check the temp blowing out of the vent. Keep doing this until you reach the lowest number on the thermometer. Once the temp starts to rise STOP. That's it, you're done.

You could buy a can with the gauge on it & go by that. I prefer the above method for the coldest air possible.

 

[RangerSVT]

Here's what you do if you don't have a set of gauges & you're going to do this yourself. You should use a set of gauges however this procedure will work for you.

Buy the can of R-134 with the hose attached to it. You will also need a small thermometer to stick into your middle air vent as the middle vent will get the coldest. You can buy one of these thermometers at Harbor Freight Tools or a auto parts store like Autozone.

Turn your A/C to the Max setting and the blower to the highest setting. Let the truck run for a few minutes with the A/C on so that the system is working and the pressures have stabilized. Attach the fitting to the low side port (don't worry it will only fit onto one of them) Make a note of the temp blowing out of the vent. Open the valve on the can for about 15 seconds, close it & wait at least one minute for the refrigerant to stabilize, check the temp blowing out of the vent. Keep doing this until you reach the lowest number on the thermometer. Once the temp starts to rise STOP. That's it, you're done.

You could buy a can with the gauge on it & go by that. I prefer the above method for the coldest air possible.

The problem with this method is without the proper gauge overcharging is easy to do, and dangerous to your ac system. It's best to get the can with the hose and gauge on it and follow the instructions with the kit.

SVT

 

[turborich]

The problem with this method is without the proper gauge overcharging is easy to do, and dangerous to your ac system. It's best to get the can with the hose and gauge on it and follow the instructions with the kit.

SVT

Really? Even with a set of refrigerant gauges I have always topped off my A/C systems this way without any issues. The gauges just let you keep an eye on the pressures & to make sure the system is operating correctly. I get my A/C so cold with this method that it will freeze your ears off. BTW I have had my EPA Universal refrigerant card for at least 10 years now. This method is 100% safe as long as you know what you're doing. I've been doing it for years so I pretty much have it down to a science.

But yes, In the OP's situation he should just follow the instructions if he's not familiar with HVAC systems. I can agree with this.

 

[RangerSVT]

You failed to mention (or I failed to understand) in your post that you would have a set of gauges hooked up to the system while using the T-meter. In this case I agree it would be the best method. In the case of the OP he doesn't have a set of gauges...

SVT