DIY Air Conditioning (AC) Recharge
- Thread starter 46runner
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Blu42
Member
Should be a closed system as the refrigerant leaking into the air is baaaad for the environment. I believe these recharge cans also are listed as "stop leak" as well. They include some sort of sealer. Small leaks will be sealed,in theory, but larger issues will still persist and the ac will once again run warm.
stir_fry_boy
New member
I think people are crazy to recharge their own AC without knowing what the high pressure side is doing. You got to know what your high pressure line is up to in order to completely assess the system. The port is there for a reason.
lightemup67
New member
I had the same symptoms (drivers side blowing hot and passenger side cold). I bought the dual gauge system from harbor freight for $49, and a can of refrigerant (included the sealer/stop leak stuff) for $10. The directions were decently confusing, and opinions on where high and low pressures should be vary, but after one can, I got both the low and high pressures into the range of what I was told.
AC blows cold now, still colder on passenger side, leading me to believe I could use a little more refrigerant, but I'm afraid to overcharge the system. Reading all the input online, the proper way it to empty the system completely and recharge with exact manufacturer specs. But that involves taking it to a shop, and at that point I'd just have them do the whole recharge for like $120.
For half the price I did it myself and have the tool for the future.
AC blows cold now, still colder on passenger side, leading me to believe I could use a little more refrigerant, but I'm afraid to overcharge the system. Reading all the input online, the proper way it to empty the system completely and recharge with exact manufacturer specs. But that involves taking it to a shop, and at that point I'd just have them do the whole recharge for like $120.
For half the price I did it myself and have the tool for the future.
46runner
Member
y=mx+b
New member
I'd highly recommend following the chrisfix video below. I followed this and it was super easy to get it right. Been almost a year and still going strong.
Its for a tacoma, but its exactly the same as the 4th gen including port locations. Check under hood sticker for the quantity needed, but for mine it was as follows:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pdq8JAlct6s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
As a side note, check your A/C drain in the passenger front wheel well for a green colored liquid coming out. This would indicate the evaporator core is leaking, which is a semi-common issue on older 4runners. Mine definitely has a slow leak and takes about 1.5-2yrs to leakdown. The clear tubing is something I added so it doesn't deposit straight on the frame
missionman
Member
thanks for the info! I have the issue where its cold when accelerating then not cold when coasting or stopping. the cause is one of two things or both. Either the expansion valve is stuck closed in some manner (OEM Denso part# 4752060), OR your 4runner has reached a point of being undercharged (mine is a 2003 SR5 V6 with 284,307 miles). In my case Toyota did a evacuation and refill saying it was way undercharged but also told me it was not accepting the full amount back in indicating my expansion valve has failed in some manner blocking an area. However, it does blow cold still. So i bought the expansion valve to install myself behind the glove compartment area.
They said I had no leaks which is good. But ill have to empty the system again, install the new valve, then evacuate and refill again.
They said I had no leaks which is good. But ill have to empty the system again, install the new valve, then evacuate and refill again.
mynamesrickgrimes
Junior Member
how's it holding up? need to do this for my v6!
Drcoffee
Senior Member
Toyota made it easy to diy the ac recharge. If you dont have the dual gauges, simply use the sight glass near the high side port. When its low there will be bubbles. When its charged it will be liquid.
Just watch the sight glass. As the ac cycles on off, you will see bubbles to foam. Once you see the bubbles change to liquid compreesor on and bubbles when compressor shuts off, you are done. If its liquid all the time its over charged. Super easy.
Just watch the sight glass. As the ac cycles on off, you will see bubbles to foam. Once you see the bubbles change to liquid compreesor on and bubbles when compressor shuts off, you are done. If its liquid all the time its over charged. Super easy.
