Has anyone used one of those AC Recharge aerosol cans on their tundra? Is the port easy to access? Did it help much? I haven't had anything done to the AC since I bought the truck in 2003, and I think it's fading a little. It doesn't help that the truck is black and gets hot as hell in the GA summer.
Again, you are in the wrong place. Try the 1st Gen forum. Thanks and good luck.
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Its very easy to access. The port is by the firewall on the passenger side. It will have black cap on it with an "L". I would have it checked for the right pressure though, as you don't really want to overcharge it.
Is your AC compressor clutch cycling on and off? I think if it isn't then it may just seem like it's not as cold as before. As said previously, you really don't want to overcharge the system and don't turn the can upside down if you try to add refrigerant.
Have you tried using the recirculating mode when it gets too hot?
Last edited by tempetom; 08-03-2009 at 06:43 PM.
Reason: added recirculating note
I have had mine recharged twice now due to leaks at the condenser where the line hooks up at top drivers side of it! Cost me .45 cents for leaky o rings and 150.00 to recharge system the way the book tells the tech to service system! AC service is much more than just throw a can of refrigerant in it and call it good! Why does it not cool? that can be more than just a simple can of refrigerant to fix this issue! He needs to add leak check fluids to see where your system is leaking from and it will tell him exactly where it's leaking by using a ultra violet light to find the leak and their are a group of places it can leak! I found mine due to looking for signs of an oil leak and found it on condenser before he added the leak detector fluid and he said bring it back in a couple weeks to see if it was leaking and if it was he would do the service for free but parts were on me! Great deal from my Toyota Tech!
I agree with HOGWILD. The reason your A/C is not functioning well has to be determined before guessing it needs coolant. Should you add a can, how do you know it is enough ? or too much ? and if it has leaked out, it will leak again and require service then. You need to have the system checked and fixed once and for all.
Sometimes there are so many bugs "cooked" onto the condenser, they impair the air cooling of that condenser. Open the hood and wash/clean the condenser to eliminate that potential problem.
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I installed some regular window screen wire to back side of my grill to help keep that damage down to a minimum and so far it's work nicely. I just used electrical wire ties to secure it to the back side and it help a BUNCH!
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. Some of these cans have little gauges on them that help you get the right pressure, not sure how accurate or difficult that is though. To clarify, my AC is working fairly well, it is definitely still blowing cold air, and I can hear it clicking on and off like normal, but this summer I have noticed that it is not quite as cold as it has been in the past.
I just figured I would give this a go before trying to take it in, since a can is only $20... Has anyone used a can with the gauge hookup? Did that work for you?
The gauges are a joke, because any attempt to check the system using gauges requires a gauge set showing both high and low side pressure. It is also the nature of condensible gases to maintain a steady pressure relative to the temperature, regardless of the charge level, until nearly empty (i.e., when there no longer any refrigerant in liquid form). So pressure is no indicator of charge level, until within a few ounces of empty.
Also, most of the cans that come with a gauge contain "sealer" which is worse than worthless, because it will crap up your system.
The only way to accurately determine the level of refrigerant charge is to empty it (deliberate emptying of the system must be "recovered" per the EPA; however, leaks can be allowed to continue, and the system recharged indefinitely.) vacuum it, and then recharge with the proper amount of refrigerant.
If you're a serious DIY'r, the $200 - 300 for entry level, decent quality, new gauges & vacuum pump are worth it. But don't screw around with the cans with "sealer" and toy gauges. Put the $20 toward the fee for a reliable shop to do the work.
The gauges are a joke, because any attempt to check the system using gauges requires a gauge set showing both high and low side pressure. It is also the nature of condensible gases to maintain a steady pressure relative to the temperature, regardless of the charge level, until nearly empty (i.e., when there no longer any refrigerant in liquid form). So pressure is no indicator of charge level, until within a few ounces of empty.
Also, most of the cans that come with a gauge contain "sealer" which is worse than worthless, because it will crap up your system.
The only way to accurately determine the level of refrigerant charge is to empty it (deliberate emptying of the system must be "recovered" per the EPA; however, leaks can be allowed to continue, and the system recharged indefinitely.) vacuum it, and then recharge with the proper amount of refrigerant.
If you're a serious DIY'r, the $200 - 300 for entry level, decent quality, new gauges & vacuum pump are worth it. But don't screw around with the cans with "sealer" and toy gauges. Put the $20 toward the fee for a reliable shop to do the work.
Thanks Ted, very informative. I was curious about that sealer junk too as it's advertised on all the cans. I think I'll hold out for the rest of the summer and take it in next summer if it progresses further.
Well here is an update on my issue with my AC System, still leaking and new condenser and top line on order. They checked for the leak tech fluid with a small black light and a yellow pair of sunglasses and they let me look at the leaks and it's amazing how that works so well. We used same technique in the Air Force on numerous systems and This truck has had AC issues from the get go, same seals for top line on drivers side leaked and started blowing hot air as i passed thru Muleshoe, Texas in August and when i got to Cowtown i saw a bank thermometer and it said 115 degree and i was not happy! If this does not fix the AC i will open a complaint with Corporate, no need in putting up with a LIME Truck only has 43K miles on it and it's had the seals replaced twice befor this attempt? I know i am outta warranty but all this stuff started when truck was new and i am not going to pay out much more on a system that should have no problems for a long time! 43K miles and 4 years is not a long time and the amount of work they have done is way too much if ya ask me!
AC Recharge
Truck only has 43K miles on it and it's had the seals replaced twice befor this attempt? I know i am outta warranty but all this stuff started when truck was new and i am not going to pay out much more on a system that should have no problems for a long time! 43K miles and 4 years is not a long time and the amount of work they have done is way too much if ya ask me!
Linear Mode
