Fill my own freon?

[ToddAndMargo]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forrester.

My freon leaked out. Maybe it is a leak, or maybe
it is age related. Before I spend a fortune on
a mechanic to check for leaks, is it possible for me
to just add a can or two of freon and see what
happens?

If so, how much should I add and where do I add
it?

Many thanks,
-T

 

[I'm Right]

You could, but since you have no knowledge of what you are doing, why not
have the leak at least properly diagnosised, then determine if you can
effect repairs yourself probably two or three times, or pay a professional
to do the job right once.
To recharge the system, you'll need the proper gauge set, a vacuum pump, and
a charging cylinder to accurately measure the R134a for the system. Tossing
in cans from walmart does NOT make one an AC mechanic.

 

[bg]

Just follow instructions, don't sniff it, touch it or lick it...or eat it,
or touch it, and stick your infected finger in your eye or other orifice,
such as picking your nose while freoning. or if you do touch it, don't touch
buttons with writing on them inside the car. they will have writing no
longer..not that I would know (grin)
Since you could possibly know what you are doing....
give it a try. a fast leak is quite obvious.tastes like peppermint, and you
will want to think fast after that point.

*****> You could, but since you have no knowledge of what you are doing,
*****why not

 

[mrputler]

'06? Shouldn't you still be under warranty and wouldn't this be
covered?

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forrester.

My freon leaked out. Maybe it is a leak, or maybe
it is age related. Before I spend a fortune on
a mechanic to check for leaks, is it possible for me
to just add a can or two of freon and see what
happens?

If so, how much should I add and where do I add
it?

Many thanks,
-T

Hi,
it's doable but first don't you have to find out why you lost refrigerant?

 

[AS]

Just make sure you use R134a and not just "Freon". If you follow the
lines from the a/c compressor you will most likely see oil traces where
the leak is.

Good luck.

 

[ToddAndMargo]

'06? Shouldn't you still be under warranty and wouldn't this be
covered?

Warranty ran out at 35,000 miles (Bought it used with
48,000 miles). :-(

 

[M.J.]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Forrester.

My freon leaked out. Maybe it is a leak, or maybe
it is age related. Before I spend a fortune on
a mechanic to check for leaks, is it possible for me
to just add a can or two of freon and see what
happens?

If so, how much should I add and where do I add
it?

Many thanks,
-T

I've heard somewhere that this stuff is, or is susspected to be
a carcinogen, that is freon. You may be better off just letting
a qualified technician take care of your AC.

Many leaks especially in dry climate are cause by a worn
dried-up tiny rubber seal-ring (a 10 cent part). Refilling
yourself without making sure the system is tight may cause
you and your passengers needles exposure to freon fumes.

M.J.

 

[Sheldon]

I've heard somewhere that this stuff is, or is susspected to be
a carcinogen, that is freon. You may be better off just letting
a qualified technician take care of your AC.

Many leaks especially in dry climate are cause by a worn
dried-up tiny rubber seal-ring (a 10 cent part). Refilling
yourself without making sure the system is tight may cause
you and your passengers needles exposure to freon fumes.

M.J.

Any car that new is not going to have "freon" in it. They haven't put freon
in cars for a long time. I think they use something called 134a now
(supposed to be less harmful to the ozone layer). I've dealt with a lot of
leaks in my other car, and they are not easy to find or rectify without the
right equipment. You can try adding some coolant (make sure it's the right
stuff), but as you do you will have to figure out where the leak is. Most
pros have sniffers that tell them where the leaks are. If you don't find
the leak you will be topping it off forever. If you do find the leak you
will have to figure out how to fix it. BTW, I had my other car converted
from Freon to 134a by a pro to the tune of $2500. Works great and I don't
have to mess with it anymore. FYI previous problems encountered with that
car were a leaky compressor, leaks in the condenser, a failed condenser fan,
and leaks in the hose fittings. At that time I was able to fix everything
myself except the leaky condenser (had to go to a radiator shop).

 

[Fred Sanford]

Any car that new is not going to have "freon" in it. They haven't put
freon in cars for a long time. I think they use something called 134a now
(supposed to be less harmful to the ozone layer). I've dealt with a lot
of leaks in my other car, and they are not easy to find or rectify without
the right equipment. You can try adding some coolant (make sure it's the
right stuff), but as you do you will have to figure out where the leak is.
Most pros have sniffers that tell them where the leaks are. If you don't
find the leak you will be topping it off forever. If you do find the leak
you will have to figure out how to fix it. BTW, I had my other car
converted from Freon to 134a by a pro to the tune of $2500. Works great
and I don't have to mess with it anymore. FYI previous problems
encountered with that car were a leaky compressor, leaks in the condenser,
a failed condenser fan, and leaks in the hose fittings. At that time I
was able to fix everything myself except the leaky condenser (had to go to
a radiator shop).

I just *LOVE* it when people "Spew" information....
First off dingleballs....
134A *IS* Freon........
Second, any idiot that would pay $2500 to change the metering orifice, swap
out the receiver/dryer, vacuum the system down and give it a shot of new oil
(and recharge)is just that..a idiot.
"Coolant" is that stuff you put in the radiator, Freon 134A belongs in the
A/C system.

$2500....man they saw you coming

 

[turkey]

from wikipedia:
"In the 1990s, most uses of Freon were phased out due to the negative
effects that chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons have on
the Earth's ozone layer."
"HFC-134a, is a haloalkane refrigerant without an ozone depletion
potential and thermodynamic properties similar to R-12
(dichlorodifluoromethane)"
Similar is not the same.