AC Freon Refill?

[MrTookies]

I know some folks haven't been happy with the AC system... I haven't had really any problems thus far...though I feel like the AC isn't blowing as cool anymore as it used to (135k miles later starting the summer in Houston)... has anybody checked and or refilled the Freon in the system?
Curious if that's all it would take and or if that's even the reason...

[menelaos]

If you feel like it's not blowing as cool, it could be either a small Freon leak, in which case you could do the "dye test", or perhaps the sensors need to be looked at.
Worst case scenario is the compressor may be going awry.

[Rotzy]

Unfortunately, the only correct way to check for for freon quantity is with a quality set of gauges. You can buy one of those cans of freon with the gauge on the hose, but it's not nearly the same as what an a/c shop uses and it only reads the pressure on one side of the system. This might be something best left to the professionals.

Originally Posted by menelaos

Worst case scenario is the compressor may be going awry.

Actually, replacing the compressor is easy compared to the evaporator!

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

Unfortunately, the only correct way to check for for freon quantity is with a quality set of gauges. You can buy one of those cans of freon with the gauge on the hose, but it's not nearly the same as what an a/c shop uses and it only reads the pressure on one side of the system. This might be something best left to the professionals.



Actually, replacing the compressor is easy compared to the evaporator!

...except that the compressor is probably double the price, or more.
Not sure where the evap core is located on X5s, it could be a lot of labor to access it.
Had my evap core leaking in my SAAB, but mechanic was able to remove w/o touching the dash.

[Mr.47]

Though it may be a sealed system it overtime ac system will lose small amount of Freon, you should check the ac Freon level with a gauge and when you do fill it make sure the Freon is oil free and does not contains any universal PAG oil or sealers these things can wreck havoc to your ac compressor and gunk up the lines.