This is one of those things where you can get hurt and/or damage your a/c system if you don't know what you're doing. So proceed with caution. If you're really not sure about taking this on yourself, this is one of those jobs that SHOULD be turned over to a professional.
Your system uses R134. Depending on how far it has leaked down, you may or may not need to add refrigerant oil when you recharge it. The best way to know the state of the charge is to connect a pressure gauge to the low pressure side of the system. If your system is factory stock, and nobody has worked on it before, the proper port for the low side has a cap labeled 'L' screwed onto it. If it's like a 98, it will be on the compressor itself. The gauge should be marked with the range that indicates its properly charged, undercharged, etc. If the system is extremely low, expect to add the refrigerant oil. If it's just slightly under normal pressure, you will likely get away without the refrigerant oil. You will need at least one can of R134, and the hose/valve assembly that screws onto the can on the one side, and on the low pressure port on the other. Ensure the valve is set such that the protrusion that pokes through the top of the can is fully retracted -- i.e., the valve is turned fully 'on'. Screw the valve onto the can. Attach the quick release fitting on the other end of the hose to the low pressure port. Engine should be running at this point, and A/C turned on to maximum/recirc with all the windows fully down. Open the valve on the can fully, and wait for the can to empty into the system. Close the valve all the way, and then disconnect the quick-release. Recheck the system with your pressure gauge before adding any additional refrigerant. Never add more than the total capacity of the system! It's also helpful to have a thermometer propped in the center vents of the dash to see the temperature drop from ambient. I believe that the drop is about 30-40F from ambient; you should check the FSM for the proper spec. You may wish to add a refrigerant dye if you suspect a leak. These dyes can be helpful in spotting the point where refrigerant is leaking out; you usually have to look for evidence of leakage with a UV light. They're absolutely no help at all if the leak is in the evaporator under the dash, though. If the system appears to be fully charged before you start out, you may have other problems in the system. One check to perform is a test of the high pressure portion of the system. If the compressor has an internal leak, it might not be compressing the refrigerant enough to cool the car. This is just kind of a brief introduction. If you're not familiar with the procedure, I suggest you read up on it some more before you attempt this. --Geoff On 6/17/06, Ironman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Can anyone give me information on how to recharge the air conditioner > on a 2002 intrepid. > > > > > > > > > > Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> > Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > -- --Geoff MML Moderator/Admin/Website Admin/Map Keeper '92 Acclaim; '98 Intrepid; '03 Grand Caravan http://www.moparmailinglist.com Skype: ggariepy68 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/2pRQfA/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/46t0lB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
