It's another beautiful sunny day in North Texas. You go to your car ready for your important business meeting. You get in and look for relief from the sun and you push the A/C button that will bring the comfort you need cnly to find out that it's blowing hotter in the car than outside!
Air conditioning systems in vehicles are a very important need for all who live in North Texas during the summer months. All vehicles now a days use the R134a systems - a refrigerant that has taken the place of R12. These systems run at higher pressures than the old R12 systems. I know what your thinking - why should I care? I just want to make it to work with the relief of COLD A/C!
It's important because everyeone thinks that there are quick and less expensive ways to fix their A/C. My expertise is in the automotive field wth 21 years as an ASE Technician. I don't try to be a doctor, lawyer, plumber or a carpet cleaner. I leave those jobs up to the people who have made a career out of those fields.
A/C systems should always be checked by a qualified A/C Tech. You should have them checked once a year, as you would your home A/C system. The proper way to check your A/C system is to Evac it and measure the amount of R134a that is in the system. There are machines that we use at Solutions Automotive that do this job. We then refill with the proper oil and R134a. Or, if there are other issues then we hold the R134a in the machines until the proper repairs can be made!
This sounds like an expensive maintance procedure. Its not! You should be paying $39.99 to $49.99 for an A/C check, which would include hooking it up, evac'ing it, an overall performance check, as well as checking for leaks in the system or anything else that could be a possible issue. R134a is going to be around $15 to $20 dollars a pound additional.
OK, so my A/C still does not work and I'm not about to pay to find out that all it needs is R134a! I'm just going to go down to the store and buy a kit and to do it myself. Well do-it-yourselfers, this is where the problems start. First, those guages don't give you any accurate idea of how much R134a is really in the system. You can over charge your A/C system easy. Now you have put higher pressures on everything. NOT GOOD!
Second, most recharge cans are more oil than R134a, so this will not give you the proper amount of R134a in your system.
Third, stop leak is not going to stop hoses or lines or compressors from leaking. If you want the leak fixed replace the part!
Fourth, you can injure yourself or others around you.
I have heard and witnessed the horror stories of people just wanting to save a buck. If you maintain your A/C system in your vehicle like you do in your home with yearly check ups and changing the cabin filter, you should not have a problem with your system.
Soutions Automotive caters to all of your automotive needs by providing specialty service such as vehicle pick up and delivery, evening repairs, and onsite repairs. Contact us at 972-978-8797 to discuss your automotive needs today!
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