So as the summer heat starts, I was thinking of topping off the freon to the car as currently when I have the temp all the way to low, and the air set to come out of the center vents, anything below level 3-4 output is as Jeremy Clarkson would say, "like an asthmatic blowing at you through a straw," and even at higher levels it doesn't seem THAT cold. But, when reading the service manual, it tells me I have to completely vacuum the old refrigerant out, fill it with new oil, evacuate, and then fill with refrigerant.

Has anyone else done this themselves? Difficulty level from 1-10? Is this DIY-able or should I just take it to the dealer? It seems straightforward enough, but I don't want to screw something up, especially considering the cost of replacement parts. I had originally thought it would be as easy as just buying some r134 from autozone and then adding it in, but alas it doesn't seem the case lol. TIA

 

Hold up. First thing is the A/C is not the greatest in our cars on lower setting. Second check that both radiator fans are on high with the the car running and A/C on. Three look in the front duct and make sure both the condensers are clean and free of dirt and debris. If all that checks out then the freon is easy. The system takes little freon for how far every thing is. You fill the system under the hood on the pass side next to the battery. You put the a/c on hook up to the suction line (two different size easy to tell them apart) get the freon that has the gauge on it. Fill till it read full on the gauge. I would add the freon as a gas and not as a liquid just because its fills slower and is easier to control. Its not the book way but it gets the job done. The right way would be to reclaim, evacuate then add the proper amount in oz. of freon. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info Tim.

 

I had to re fill mine after I took the engine out.
Real easy DIY. I purchased a vacuum pump and gauges. Vacuum it down, make sure it holds vacuum. Add 900 grams of R134 with oil and your all set. The costs of the vac pump and gauges is way lower than having someone do it for you.

Mine is as cold as ice on a 90 degree day.

One thing to consider is that if it is low on refrigerant there is a leak somewhere.

 

My friend did this for me at his shop and I paid 40$. He put it under vac several times using a special machine, it should take 1.98lbs of Freon.