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R134a in Prius, HELP!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Drakba, Sep 5, 2016.

  1. Drakba

    Drakba Junior Member

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    Need some help here. My prius A/C was running 'cool' instead of cold.

    Being a DIY'er, I got my recharge kit, and put in some 134a. YEP.

    Now the thing is shut down. Read that it needs hybrid 134a after the fact.

    Other that bring it to the dealer and pay a couple grand, can someone give me some advise on how to fix my mistake myself? I have a good array of tools including compressors, and manifold set. Need to figure out how to purge all the crap out, what other than hybrid 134a, what oil do I need to put in, and what quantity?

    Any advise would be very much appreciated.

    Please, lets leave the preaching to a minimum, and the 'let the experts do it', since my 2008 is only worth a few grand now (about 200k miles on it).
     
    #1 Drakba, Sep 5, 2016
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    There is nothing wrong with using pure R-134a in the Prius AC system. You do not need to be concerned about adding compressor oil if you did not replace the compressor.

    If you used R-134a with the incorrect compressor oil added, that would be a problem. In that case you would have to apply vacuum to evacuate the refrigerant, and then drain the oil. Hopefully you did not do this.

    Explain how you added R-134a to the system.
    - Was the AC compressor running at the time?
    - How much R-134a was added?
    - When you have the gauges attached to the AC system and the compressor is running, what are the low and high pressure readings? If the compressor fails to run then you probably have insufficient pressure in the system.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Sep 5, 2016
  3. Drakba

    Drakba Junior Member

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    Ok, this helps, thanks! So, I added about 2 oz (half a 4 oz can), it was running about 32psi on the low pressure port, and I took it to about 35.

    It was running on full, max cold, recirculating air. (kinda standard stuff for a dino burner).

    I read somewhere that if you do not use hybrid 'non-conductive' 134a, it would mess up the system. I have a few cans of generic 134a handy, since I have 5 kids driving, and they always need something done to their cars...
     
    #3 Drakba, Sep 5, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2016
  4. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    This just depends on the cans you used. Did they or didn’t they have oil in them? If it did not have oil it’s just pure 134a and you’re fine. If it had oil it’s very likely that it was wrong oil and you need to empty the system drain the oil and fill it with 134a and correct oil.
     
    #4 valde3, Sep 5, 2016
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    "Generic" R-134a is fine, if only R-134a is in the can.

    The low pressure spec is 22 - 36 psi while the high pressure spec is 199 - 228 psi. I suggest the next step should be for you to hook up your manifold gauges to see what is the low pressure and the high pressure while the compressor is running.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Sep 5, 2016
  6. Astralography

    Astralography Junior Member

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    What is a brand of R134A that DOES NOT have oil? All the ones at the auto parts stores seem to have additives, sealers or oil in them.
     
    #6 Astralography, Jul 24, 2017
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Walmart carries R-134a without lubricants or dyes.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Jul 24, 2017
  8. Jose J Saldana

    Jose J Saldana New Member

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    I did the same thing with AC Pro and had to leave the car running for well over an hour for it to blow cold.
     
    #8 Jose J Saldana, Jul 26, 2018
  9. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

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    PATRICK= DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE BRAND??
    Walmart carries R-134a without lubricants or dyes
     
    #9 ski.dive, Jul 27, 2018
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Interdynamics 301-CA R-134a 12 ounce can.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, Jul 27, 2018
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