[Yeti]

I like to do all the work on my truck myself, but when it comes to the air conditioner I dont know much about them. My question: Is it a good idea to buy those 15$ kits that recharge/relube your system?

I havent ever done anything to my system, is it necessary to check pressure now and then?

I just want a thread that explains some mysteries and gives good advice on the ac sys. Like using it now and then in the off months of winter to keep things lubed. Thanks

 

[Claymon]

as far as mysteries of the air conditioner goes, i know to rid the AC of that mildew smell in the summer months, just crank the heat and it supposedly burns the algae out of the vents.

 

[96tacolx]

I like to do all the work on my truck myself, but when it comes to the air conditioner I dont know much about them. My question: Is it a good idea to buy those 15$ kits that recharge/relube your system?

I havent ever done anything to my system, is it necessary to check pressure now and then?

I just want a thread that explains some mysteries and gives good advice on the ac sys. Like using it now and then in the off months of winter to keep things lubed. Thanks

If your AC is blowing cold air there`s no need to mess with it. During the winter months I always run the defrost with the AC on and adjust my temperature with the slide control.

 

[Uneasy Rider]

Its good to run the a/c in the off season once in a while just to keep everything working properly....

 

[Mike]

I like to do all the work on my truck myself, but when it comes to the air conditioner I dont know much about them. My question: Is it a good idea to buy those 15$ kits that recharge/relube your system?

I havent ever done anything to my system, is it necessary to check pressure now and then?

I just want a thread that explains some mysteries and gives good advice on the ac sys. Like using it now and then in the off months of winter to keep things lubed. Thanks

Like someone else said, if it gets cold, don't mess with it. Last summer mine wasn't getting very cold anymore, I just recharged it with one of those cheap kits and it's working great again!

Later,
....Mike

 

[Yeti]

If your AC is blowing cold air there`s no need to mess with it. During the winter months I always run the defrost with the AC on and adjust my temperature with the slide control.

And you too Mike- Im into preventative maintenace so i feel like it might be good to charge it/lube it or check the pressure before theres a major failure in a seal or component but if thats not how its done then, thats not how its done. Thanks for your advice anywho

 

[96tacolx]

And you too Mike- Im into preventative maintenace so i feel like it might be good to charge it/lube it or check the pressure before theres a major failure in a seal or component but if thats not how its done then, thats not how its done. Thanks for your advice anywho

I just got into the refrigeration business. We do walk-in cooler/freezer type stuff. The only maintenance we do is make sure the coils on the evaporator are clean. They get dirty and clogged up from cardboard dust. We do nothing else as far as preventative maintenance.
On a vehicle the evaporator stays clean.....unless you are going through deep mud all the time.
If it`s blowing cold air it means there is the right amount of freon and since it`s a closed system you never need to add oil.

 

[Pete]

And you too Mike- Im into preventative maintenace so i feel like it might be good to charge it/lube it or check the pressure before theres a major failure in a seal or component but if thats not how its done then, thats not how its done. Thanks for your advice anywho

My understanding is that the refrigerant in the system is the lubricant or there is lubricant already added, which is why running the system during the winter is reccomended.

Basically it's a use it or lose it sort of thing. I've been told the seals can dry up without use.

 

[ShowStop]

I like to do all the work on my truck myself, but when it comes to the air conditioner I dont know much about them. My question: Is it a good idea to buy those 15$ kits that recharge/relube your system?

I havent ever done anything to my system, is it necessary to check pressure now and then?

I just want a thread that explains some mysteries and gives good advice on the ac sys. Like using it now and then in the off months of winter to keep things lubed. Thanks

The A/C system is a closed system. The system requires no maintenance unless some part fails or freon leaks out. If you check the pressure with a basic tester, then all you are doing is releasing freon and lowering the pressure. The A/C is equipped with a pressure cut-off sensor that disables the compressor if the system isn't properly charged. This is so you cannot burn out the compressor by running it dry.

Like the others said, leave it alone. If there is a problem or the system requires maintenance, you will know it.