How to refill refrigerant.

In the case of the Prius with the electric compressor you just get you some virgin generic 134a and you're not even going to use a half a can so I don't know what you're going to do with the rest that should clear up your bubbles put you back to where you were without having to discharge reweigh redo anything. That's how I do all the mine and they're all still working heading to various mileages over 300 so oh well

 

The required refrigerant and lubricant is measured by weight inside a machine after its evacuated from the system. Because it is a variable pressure system, that is the only way you can get the right amount in the system. People who make the mistake of doing it by pressure from a refill can from the store often end up with a failed compressor in a year. Your best bet is to take it to an auto AC specialist and have them ensure you have the right amount in the system.

 

The ports are normal r134a automotive quick connects.

Really old r12 vehicles or residential systems use 1/4” screw on connections with core depressors. If you have a 1/4” gauge set you can buy r134 quick connect adapters almost anywhere.


The biggest problem with diy on these full electric compressors is using R134 that has standard oil, dyes or sealers. Those extra chemicals can ruin the compressor windings.

The right way to do this is recover, vacuum and weigh in new refrigerant and a small amount of hybrid specific oil.

But I and others have added small amounts of pure r134 using the sight glass. Only a small amount at a time allowing a few minutes for the system to stabilize each time. And then stopping when the glass just starts to clear to avoid overcharging. You want to have the windows open, turn off recirc and have the fan speed to high to maximize the load.

I would think you could find a shop that has hybrid experience to do it right for $200. The refrigerant is cheap.

 

I had a dealership evacuate and recharge done, around 2016 IIRC, was $168 CDN out-the-door. With elapsed time and inflation, $200 USD sounds about right.

 

You remember the old r22 days with the fittings described above you just screw them on gassed up the mess and did whatever used to sight glass. Have you ever overcharged an old r12 system probably a mistake but anyway if you've done that before you see when you get a good bit overcharge the compressor will start to lock up the clutch will start to slip It can't pump the fluid.? You back off the gas back in those days you just cracked your service valve on your gauges and let some out squirt squirt squirt turn the car back on now the air conditioner runs perfectly that sort of thing.? In the electric compressor genre If you overshoot the minutest amount of gas into the system you will hear the electric compressor start to stumble almost immediately I mean this is like barely over I did this once in a Prius the first time I had one and before the compressor could go stupid and lock up permanently damaging it I let some out watch the sight glass got it where I know I like to have it with r12 and all the years of doing that. And that was that that car today is still running and ice cold it will run you out of the car on a 97° day or when you get out of the car you'll pass out because you're so cold and it's so hot outside. So you can measure and do all that stuff you want and follow the EPA guidelines because you need to do that or what have you I usually just top mine off when I get them it's one of the first things I check when I get the whole car most of these cars I pull out a towing lots are still gassed up everything plugged up ready to go these cars it's a last-minute thing to get to the towing lot The mind said is I just replaced this this old car I'm not doing that and then that happens and the next day is at the towing lot that's how fast this goes on and the next couple hours I go by the towing lot see the back end of the car and well that's that. So if you're Johnny on the spot with these things you're getting the car that just came off the road probably for some nonsense or for somebody's personal internal trauma whatever.