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A/C Charging Advice Wanted

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Pri-Eye, Nov 30, 2015.

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How much Refrigerant should I add?

  1. 16 oz.

    0 vote(s)
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  2. 20 oz.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Pri-Eye

    Pri-Eye Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
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    My A/C lines were discharged/evacuated; however, this was later found to be unnecessary to complete repairs. So now I need to recharge the system from vacuum.

    Haynes says refrigerant capacity is 16 to 20 oz.
    Under the hood it says capacity is 15.8 oz to 19.4 oz.
    It also says the oil is ND-Oil 8, but it does not list a capacity.
    You can purchase pure R-134a in both 12 and 8 oz sizes. So, I could add exactly 16 or 20 oz.

    When the A/C is discharged from the service ports is the oil still inside?

    Bearing in mind that ambient temperatures are around 40 F:
    How do you suggest I go about recharging by weight from empty in winter?
     
    #1 Pri-Eye, Nov 30, 2015
  2. DRACO

    DRACO Member

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    Oh my.

    40F is too low to recharge properly. The expansion valve may not open as a result will give you an inadequate reading and or no way of knowing if she is cooling.

    I assume you have pulled, held vacuum and using a known good gauge. I hope you changed the drier as opening the system will kill it if original.

    I would either charge her in a warm garage that has a minimum of 65degrees + or wait til spring BUT do not use the AC dry, you will kill your compressor.

    You can always purchase R134a with lubricant if you do not know for sure.

    I suggest using the gauge to fill proper levels, starting off with 80% fill capacity then fill as need to reach optimal temps.

    Remember, find a fill chart that also shows humidity levels for a more accurate fill.

    Filling blind is never recommended.
     
    #2 DRACO, Nov 30, 2015
    bwilson4web likes this.
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Your car uses a subcooling condenser, so be sure you find charging instructions that take that into account. The correct charge is a certain mass of refrigerant added beyond the point where the sight glass bubbles disappear, under strictly specified temperature and operating conditions, control settings, doors being open, etc.

    Needless to say, the best instructions you will find are the ones in your service manual on techinfo.toyota.com.

    -Chap
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Nov 30, 2015
  4. Pri-Eye

    Pri-Eye Junior Member

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    How much should I add with the car off to avoid damaging the compressor when it engages?
     
    #4 Pri-Eye, Dec 1, 2015
  5. DRACO

    DRACO Member

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    2002 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Hook up both Low (blue) and High (red) side with the bottle/can (yellow) hooked up.

    Just open the fill valve, low side. ( make sure you bled any air in the yellow hose out first, R134a hates air in the system ) Making sure you see the liquid go in via the gauge observation window by turning the bottle/can so the liquid will get sucked in.

    If you in fact pulled a vacuum and it held all this time, the negative vacuum will suck in some refrigerant so the compressor will not run dry.

    Shut off the fill valve.

    Then you need to turn on car, the AC to highest setting on both speed and cooling temp dial. Bring the car up to 1800 RPMs and keep it there by rigging a piece of wood against the seat and pedal then fill as needed via the fill chart using a AC Gauge set while monitoring both Low and High Side.

    Here is the chart:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Try with the lower of the two charts and fill as needed by using a thermometer at the vents.

    If you are working inside a garage, make sure you have proper ventilation.

    If this is the first time, I also suggest watching couple of you tube videos to get an idea of what to do.

    DO NOT OVER FILL, it will not cool and may damage seals.
     
    #5 DRACO, Dec 1, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2015
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