I've bought a flask of R-134a coolant, how do I recharge the A/C?

Dmitri

I like Mark. Great sense of humor.
Does your flask come with a chargeing hose attachment? If not, you will need one. The valve you are looking for in the engine bay is behind the passenger side headlight with a black plastic cap that has 6Nm written on it. It is supposed to be finger tight, just to keep the dust and dirt out of the valve.
The engine and AC must be on while charging the system, so be careful you don't get too close to the serpentine belt, it will bite you!

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Thanks! Yes, it has a charging hose with a gauge. Worked perfectly on my 1997 (we'll see if it improves the A/C), but by 1993 has a different valve. Do they sell hoses for those?

Dmitri

1993 was the first year for America to have r143a replace r12, by law. All r134a have the same size valve, r12 was slightly larger if I remember correctly. If you are not in the USA, the 93 may still have r12 and you will not be able to use r134a. Have it checked by an AC person.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

A sticker says R-134A, but the valve is larger.

Dmitri

A flask of coolant huh? You might want to consider paying someone to do it.

Mark

Haha- yeah, I mix mine with a little club soda and ice.


Seriously - the systems need to be charged correctly. I would take it by and have a pro with the right equipment do the job. Might well save you some mony in the long run.

Been there and done most of it- as the original owner of 1995 850 turbo. Sometimes the pros are worth the money- in my book the ac system is one of those areas.

Here in Sweden about any job on AC costs the same - a shirt.

Dmitri

LOL You haven't been to a big box store lately? Someone now manufactures the cans with the charging connector attached to the cannister. What a waste of money. More stuff to fill the landfill.
It does look like a flask, being tall and smaller diameter than the normal cans the rest of us use.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)