Advice on A/C booster?

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

I was looking for motor oil when I noticed a really cool product that was called an A/C booster/recharge kit. Looks like it's just R134a in a bottle with some sealer for leaks. Has anyone ever tried a product like this, and what are your results?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/06/41uwZMxZwAL-1.jpg

[Huffer]

I used it on mine, and a few cars. I wouldn't get it again, I'd just get one that refills the AC without any sealer. My compressor is now spitting oil at me.

[Grafton]

Are you low on Freon? If not then stay away, an over filled system doesn't work right at all...

[httrdd]

Freon is a brand not a refrigerant. :wink: Anything that stops leaks is going to cause problems in a normally operating system. Stuff like that can block txvs (thermal expansion valves) and other smaller orfaces. It never usally targers only a leak. If you are not leaking like crazy dont use it.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Are you low on Freon? If not then stay away, an over filled system doesn't work right at all...
Freon is a brand not a refrigerant. :wink: Anything that stops leaks is going to cause problems in a normally operating system. Stuff like that can block txvs (thermal expansion valves) and other smaller orfaces. It never usally targers only a leak. If you are not leaking like crazy dont use it.

to be honest, I have no clue. In the past 2 years I never used my A/C, so I'm guessing I have a leak that drained all the refrigerant out.

[ouch1011]

Freon is a brand not a refrigerant. :wink: Anything that stops leaks is going to cause problems in a normally operating system. Stuff like that can block txvs (thermal expansion valves) and other smaller orfaces. It never usally targers only a leak. If you are not leaking like crazy dont use it.

+1

If your A/C doesn't work, and you want it to work, take it to a shop. Personally I believe that A/C refrigerant sales to the general public should be illegal. You have to be certified to work on A/C systems in a repair shop (legally) and yet they sell the stuff to the general public. Doesn't make any sense.

And don't use ANY refrigerant that says it seals leaks. Like pretty much all leak sealing junk, it might seal up a leak, but it will also plug the entire system with garbage.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Personally I believe that A/C refrigerant sales to the general public should be illegal. You have to be certified to work on A/C systems in a repair shop (legally) and yet they sell the stuff to the general public. Doesn't make any sense.

I'll clarify (learned this last semester). Anyone can buy and put in R134a. What is illegal to do is vacuum and recharge a system without certified. I know it's dumb, but there are idiots who would put anything in an A/C system.

[Drakien]

If you lose your charge over a 2 year period without any use, maybe you just need to replace the O-Rings on the connectors going into and out of the compressor, radiator, and into the cabin of the car.

[Quest]

I'm not sure if using that can would improve your system. I just had mine done because it was not cooling enough. When hooked up to the evacuation/recharge machine, my system was borderline overcharged. (I work there and saw the reading) The atmosphere was removed from the system, (even though it had almost too much to begin with), then freshly recharged with new 134a,oil,dye-cocktail. The system is so pleasntly cold now and I'm happy....Real happy! Just get it done right and be happy

[Legacy89]

What you need to do is:
Drain the system with something like a Robin Air Cooltech 690Pro.
Vacuum the system for atleast 30minutes.
Refill to the spesified weight. Subaru usually use 0.700Kg (700grams) of R134A.

If you do have a leak you can fill it up with fluorecent leak detection fluid, use a "sniffer" or look for wet spots if the leak is fresh enough.

I do this kind of work all the time on Caterpillar machines.

[SVO1]

also so many people throw the all in one cans that have oil, sealer and 134a in them. Too much oil is a bad thing as well. I am A Master tech and I do AC work, and on occasion I will use a single can to top off a system if I am not near my pig, but you have to make sure it doesn't have all the add on crap.