A/C Refrigerant for 2003 Toyota Prius

R-134a

 

It'll cost maybe $150 to have the pros do it right?

 

If you go to Advance Auto, Autozone, or O'reilly's, they can fix you up with a set up that connects to your low pressure port. The hose won't connect to the high pressure port, so don't worry. You put the can on the little manifold end til it seals, connect the other end of the hose to the hot port, then turn the can upside down and screw in the valve on top of the manifold til it pierces the can, the can will get quite cold as the liquid R134a turns to a gas. When the can is empty, turn off the valve and start the car, you should hear the compressor click and you may have cool air. Leave the engine running with a/c control on the dash on. If not, repeat the process with another can. You can repeat the process one more time, but the third can will probably only be a partial, gas goes in til the system is filled then stops.

If the refrigerant leaks out in a week or so, you need to have an A/C specialist check out the car. There should be no shortage of A/C techs in Birmingham and the system is pretty conventional

 

The warnings about "hybrid refrigerant" are really about "hybrid refrigerant oil". In the hybrids that use a high-voltage electric compressor, the only oil that can be in there is Toyota's (Denso) ND-11, which won't create electrical faults. Adding straight refrigerant that contains no oil is ok, but careful checking of labels is needed to make sure of that.

You, however, are driving a first-generation Prius, where the compressor is not electric. It is still driven by a belt and magnetic clutch. The oil isn't as big a concern.

Why do you think it is low on refrigerant? Just because it blows warm? Have you checked the compressor drive clutch yet? Every first generation has got to be about ready for clutch shimming by now. Takes about ten minutes and a one-dollar shim kit (88335-14020), as described here, here, and here. Does not involve any opening of the sealed system.

-Chap