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Linda_J
New User
May 10, 2021, 6:52 AM
Post #1 of 3
(1829 views)
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I bought a 2012 Buick Verano with 122,000 miles for my teenager. The a/c is blowing warm air. It feels cool sometimes. So I bought a can of refrigerant with a gauge. When I hooked the gauge up, it was in the high end of the yellow, almost to red. So apparently its overcharged. I watched a youtube video and it said you can release some of the pressure with the gauge. So I wrapped a towel around the open end of the hose and tried to release some air. While I'm pulling the trigger, the gauge goes down into the green, but as soon as I release the trigger it goes back up to almost the red zone. I kept doing this, but it would never stay down in the green. Any ideas why it's not releasing some pressure and going down? You can hear it. It sounds like air is coming out. Thanks for any and all help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 10, 2021, 7:28 AM
Post #2 of 3
(1823 views)
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Re: a/c overcharged
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Oh Linda - if only it was all that easy. It may have NOT needed any "refrigerant" yet that's a #1 reason. Problem is you need to seriously know how much system holds if in state of vacuum to properly filled. THEN you can figure out what's wrong if it doesn't behave.
This vehicle seems old but isn't A/C wise, for some decades they use less product so ounces count. Ounces when the gas is a liquid like you feel in a plain can of it vs an empty one.
Enough of a two year program to do this stuff it first needs a shop you like with full qualified A/C tech(s) to take a look. Many would vacuum it out and fill to charge as said to go from there + probably check for leaks.
It's prime season so either can get better deals or not? Ask up front how much to test it out and make an estimate to fix.
You may be out $100 to $150 just for that but need to know.
MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT STUFF IS NOT AIR! IT'S "REFRIGERANT" CAN EXPLODE TO A GAS FROM LIQUID MAKE INSANE COLD AND SERIOUS HURT YOU WITH FREEZE BURNS!
Just FYI on those gauges and things they sell. They (I'll find out more) are now stating pure product is what belongs no SEALERS of any kind. Most do - read what you bought it's more trouble if any got into system.
In short it's not DIY friendly if only knowing for sure it needs a charge or other issue is the reason.
The tools are very costly put almost anyone out of this without them! Still they sell that stuff (fine, buyer beware) but the warnings aren't strong enough IMO and not alone about that.
Take for a "guestimate" as said and hope just step one can solve it. This car should have codes too but we know now it's going to have to go back to know it's properly full alone that's totally unknown now.
Good luck, stinks that it's costly but isn't always there's not telling quite yet,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 10, 2021, 12:44 PM
Post #3 of 3
(1802 views)
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Re: a/c overcharged
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That pressure reading means absolutely nothing if the system isn't running with the compressor engaged.
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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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