Summer is here, and the heat can be downright unbearable. If a car’s AC isn’t holding up, it may be time for an inspection. Many people turn to DIY recharge kits that allow users to add refrigerant to the car’s air conditioning system, but these kits can be too good to be true. In this article, drivers can learn more about manual recharge kits and the associated risks.
The Basics of Manual Recharge Kits
Manual recharge kits do not remove fluid from the system. Rather, they put in additional refrigerant. It’s like topping off the engine oil-;it only masks problems, it doesn’t solve them. In some cases, topping off an AC’s refrigerant can lead to larger problems and expensive Auto Air Conditioning Service.
Refrigerant Leaks
Air conditioning refrigerant leaks instead of evaporating. If the AC has little refrigerant, it is leaking into the atmosphere. Older vehicles carry Freon, or R12 refrigerant, which is harmful to the ozone layer. R12 is no longer made in the U.S. because of its environmental dangers. While the effects of a refrigerant leak are substantial, DIY kits pose other risks to the vehicle.
System Contaminants
Not only can a leak put refrigerant into the atmosphere, it can allow contaminants into the vehicle’s AC system. Grime, dirt, and dust can build up in the unit, plugging hoses and pumps that keep the car cool. A manual recharge kit can leave water in the AC lines, causing hydrolyzation that can deteriorate metal parts. Such issues can wipe out the savings from buying a DIY recharge kit.
Refrigerant Mixing
Because there are different refrigerant types, a driver may not know if the type being added is the same as what’s already in the system. Refrigerant mixing can cause a dangerous chemical interaction, and it can damage the compressor and internal parts. If the refrigerant type cannot be identified, the driver should bring the car in for an evacuation and refrigerant replacement.
Other Issues
Many DIY kits include a “stop leak” sealer that claims to prevent or fix leaks. However, they usually don’t work, or they stop the leak at the expense of the hoses, compressor, and other parts. Kits with such sealers may temporarily stop a leak, but they can cause more problems than they solve. AC systems are precision devices, and drivers should leave Auto Air Conditioning Service to the professionals at website. You can also check their BBB ratings.
