I would like to preface this post by stating that I am in fact a moron and I know this.
I have a 1998 Freightliner Century and the AC has never worked in it and I've never understood how AC works. But with oil prices down and needing to save money where I can, I decided to try to fix the AC myself.
So I went to the store and bought two 14 oz bottles of Freon with the UV Dye already in it, and a UV light and one of those cheap gauges that screws onto the top of the bottle and charged her up. Nothing really happened, I managed to get the PSI on the low pressure end up to the green area (30 or so PSI). The AC still didn't work at all and I could not find a leak with the UV dye.
Me being an amateur mechanic wasn't even sure if the AC compressor was working and why I couldn't find a leak So without really thinking about it I bought another 14-oz bottle with the dye and two more 12-oz bottles without dye and added them all to the system. I ended up finding a very small pinhole leak in my low pressure line coming off my AC compressor, and the AC works amazing now.
But obviously I'm intelligent enough to realize that the sticker says 14 oz and there are 52 oz in there so obviously there is going to be some kind of failure down the road if I don't vacuum it all out and redo it correctly.
Or is there?
I mean the AC works great, and I'm really tempted just to leave it alone but what are the actual consequences of having that much freon in a system? Also the leak is small but eventually it will leak out again so I do intend to fix it I'm just wondering how soon I need to do it.
Thanks in advance
I Put 52 OZ of Freon in my AC System
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by TheBaron97, Jul 14, 2020.
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The Trucks old, moneys tight, You have 2 ways to go about it. Fix the hose, and fill it up. Or Fix the hose, replace the air dryer, only $25, easy to do. Pull a vacuum if you can, sometimes Oreillys or Autozone will loan you one, for free. Or skip the vacuum. and just fill it up. I would add a 2 or 3oz can of oil, to help keep the system from rusting, and because it’s been inoperable for so long, you’ve probably lost some oil, then add 5 12oz. cans of 134a, $5 a can. The system calls for 55 Oz. 5 cans, 60 Oz. Works good.See how long it lasts. Chances are the compressor will go bad soon anyway. They don’t last long, yours is likely seeping from the front seal already. A new air drier will help to eliminate any moisture, and help prevent rust and damage to the system, especially help guard against a sticking expansion valve. The oil will help too. Next time you replace something like compressor or ? You can do a more complete job. Right now, just get it working, as cheap as possible, without doing further damage. Total cost about $60.Tou should get the hose, drier, 134a, and oil, along with new o rings needed for hoses. Have them ready, the airs not going to work very long, with the leak. Best to fix it before it goes empty again. That way will help keep moisture to a minimum. Ideally it’s best to change hose and drier quickly, on a less humid day, if possible, if not pulling a vacuum. I’ve done mine this way plenty of times, with or without a new drier, and without a vacuum. Not text book, but It will work.
Last edited: Jul 15, 2020
lwlevens, Dino soar and TheBaron97 Thank this. -
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I just bought a case of Freon from farm an fleet for $3 a can.
Going to grab another case on sale tomorrow
A cheap decent set of gauges is $50. $100 for good ones.
TheHanes book that will tell you everything about your A/c is $25
Vacuum pump $100
Most of the time it is replace the watchanacallit valve and the dryer.
Vac it down check for leaks and refill.TheBaron97 Thanks this. -
Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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blairandgretchen, Hulld, Dino soar and 1 other person Thank this.
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If you drain the system best to put a new one inDino soar, TheBaron97 and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
Dino soar, tommymonza and TheBaron97 Thank this.
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Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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