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Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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thecyclist
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May 27, 2013, 8:33 AM
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Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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My air conditioning loop in my 2001 Pathfinder has a small leak. Basically, before the summer each year, I have gotten the system recharged at a mechanic shop. My AC will work up until the winter, maybe longer. By the time the next summer comes, I need to get it recharged again because all the freon has leaked out. I'm at the point where it needs to be recharged, and I want to do it myself via a recharge kit bought at a common auto supply store (Advance, Autozone, ORiley, etc.)
My problem is, all those stores only seem to carry R134a. I'm not certain if this is what the mechanic has put in my car previously. I have read that it's more flammable than R12. If I recharge my system with R134a with a small leak, would I need to worry about anything happening?
I appreciate any help!
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Hammer Time
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May 27, 2013, 8:39 AM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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You DO realize that your habit of running the system as it gets lower will destroy the compressor from lack of lubrication which will, in turn, take out the rest of the system when it goes.
You definitely should not be putting anything flammable in that system as that can result in the car exploding with you in it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 27, 2013, 8:41 AM)
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thecyclist
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May 27, 2013, 8:50 AM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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Doesn't the compressor seize to rotate when it detects the level of coolant is below a certain level? How flammable is R134a?
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Hammer Time
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May 27, 2013, 8:56 AM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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R134A is not flammable at all and it is the only approved refrigerant for that system. Some total idiots have been known to use propane in the system which turns the car into a rolling bomb.
The compressor won't shut off until the system is basically empty, long after it has done permanent damage.
Those suicide kits you buy in the stores will ruin the system also.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 27, 2013, 8:58 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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May 27, 2013, 4:22 PM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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R-12 is gone so forget that. What is the deal with flammability? Great, I think r-12 was 600F and perhaps 134a is 450F it's moot. You are carrying probably 18 gallons of gas too you know.
A season long lead to the point of less cooling is fairly slow so may take to hunting to find and some good equipment and know how. Fix that leak especially if output temps gradually get warmer thru the cooling season as compressor is getting starved or oil and system can go kaput. If and it happens work perfectly till extreme cold you may not find it so easily and that is usually a shaft seal on the compressor.
Just back from one chain area of parts in a store and all cans with a gauge had goo and junk included. That's a perfect way to ruin everything and we call those "DEATH KITS" yet they sell, can work but when low again you are screwed or if service is needed. Some non A/C repairs require recovering now junk in there and you could find yourself with no pro help anymore except toss everything! No savings of course.
You can DIY your own, after you spend a freaking fortune in equipment and a lot of training to not blow up systems,
T
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nickwarner
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May 27, 2013, 5:20 PM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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Bottom line of what you are being advised from those who know, do not ever put some parts store death kit in this unless you really hate having your money in your wallet. You will wreck this. Don't keep running the system low. You pay to charge it every year, why not pay to have the leak fixed and not waste a very pricey compressor that when it goes will take out even more expensive parts?
In the long run, a fix is cheaper than a patch.
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WyrTwister
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May 29, 2013, 5:12 AM
Post #8 of 16
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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I am a DIY'er and shade tree mechanic .
The advice to fix the leak is good advice .
You can either pay for some tooling and read up / study , to fix it yourself . Or pay some one to fix the leak .
And , no , 134a is not flammable / explosive under normal operating conditions .
And , I do not think you or any one else is proposing using propane as a refrigerant .
God bless
Wyr
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thecyclist
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May 29, 2013, 3:28 PM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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Is the compressor turning whenever the engine is running or only when I press the AC button? If its always running, what happens when I hit the AC button to make the air cold?
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Hammer Time
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May 29, 2013, 3:36 PM
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Many AC compressors also trigger for defrost to remove moisture from the air.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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thecyclist
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May 29, 2013, 3:40 PM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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I don't want to damage my compressor. I just would like to figure out if it has been turning this whole time or only when the AC button is pushed. I can't think of the last time I used the defrost option. If so, it was probably only for 5-10 mins.
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Hammer Time
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May 29, 2013, 3:45 PM
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It will be only when the AC button is pushed but if you are trying to get cold air when it's only half charged, you are starving the compressor of oil.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 29, 2013, 3:46 PM)
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thecyclist
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May 29, 2013, 3:49 PM
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Re: Worry about adding R134A to 2001 Pathfinder
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Okay, I definitely use it when it's full (right after is was filled), then I'm not sure how fast it depletes. I definitely have used it when it's below full.
If I can find a recharge kit free of an leak stopping gunk, would that be safe...pure r134a? Or should I still to using a mech.?
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Hammer Time
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May 29, 2013, 3:54 PM
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You can't know how much refrigerant is in the system unless you completely evacuate all refrigerant, vacuum the system and charge it with the exact weighed charge and if your system is leaking, you will start doing damage shortly after that when it is no longer at the exact charge it's supposed to be. Pressures do not tell you how much is in the system.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
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May 29, 2013, 5:32 PM
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I think that you should find a reputable and licensed shop that does ac work. They should be able to evac, vacuum, and recharge the system to the correct weight of refrigerant and then add a dye to help find where the leak is. They can also make sure discharge temperatures and system running pressures are within specifications.
A lot of people try to shortcut or half ass ac system repair because they claim they don't have the money to have a professional look at it or their granddaddy used to do it in the barn out back. Then later the compressor grenades and contaminates the system which costs thousands of dollars.
As a technician I don't care what you or other people do with your systems as long as you don't contaminate my source tanks or plug up my ACRR machine. If you all blow them up, that is just money I can make to help pay my bills, put food on the table, and buy fishing lures.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on May 29, 2013, 5:45 PM)
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