What is the BEST youtube video for Prius AC leak/recharge?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by priuslyfe, Jun 4, 2026 at 6:13 PM.

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  1. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    First I assume you went to Autozone - the home of the clueless help

    However I found a copy I could read
    Image.jpeg

    A1
    -Unscrew hose assembly (green)*
    -Turn cylinder screw full ccw (red)
    -Fill Cylinder with dye (blue)
    -Screw on hose assembly

    A2
    Follow rest of directions

    *(Since this is a used tool, someone probably did not clean it and its stuck together)

    HOWEVER THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME IF THE AC SYSTEM IS NOT TURNING THE COMPRESSOR BECAUSE OF LOW REFRIGERANT. You have to add refrigerant first!

    The blower fan inside means nothing.
     
    #21 rjparker, Jun 5, 2026 at 11:07 PM
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2026 at 11:14 PM
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  2. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    yes. thanks for your assistance in this matter.

    The "B" side of the cylinder could not be unscrewn (manager tried). So the only thing that seems plausible is to pour the dye against the cylindrical silver and let it flow down between the crack (green arrow in your illustration). There is no written "insert here" instruction (that's what she said!).

    I do not know.

    btw: yes, I realize this is a bad look for someone to have that wants to work on their car.
     
    #22 priuslyfe, Jun 6, 2026 at 12:30 AM
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2026 at 12:37 AM
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I think you are over your head. The instructions are clear.

    That silver cylinder has a cap on it connected to the hose. Remove the cap! Pour dye into the cylinder. Replace cap and hose.

    Read post above again! Please. Then get a friend to help.
     
    #23 rjparker, Jun 6, 2026 at 12:36 AM
  4. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    Thanks. I'll look at it again and try tomorrow. Will keep you updated.

    have a good night/good weekend (It's 12:30am eastern Saturday where I am).
     
    #24 priuslyfe, Jun 6, 2026 at 12:38 AM
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Sometimes things get stuck but you don't give up. Otherwise your car repair efforts will fail quickly.

    Use a pair of Channel Lock pliers.
    IMG_1718.jpeg
    You still need to charge the ac first.

    IMG_1708.jpeg IMG_1712.jpeg IMG_1713.jpeg IMG_1717.jpeg
     
    #25 rjparker, Jun 6, 2026 at 1:08 AM
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2026 at 1:18 AM
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  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The cap with the hose end unscrews from the rest of it for loading.
     
    #26 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jun 6, 2026 at 6:49 AM
  7. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    Got it off.

    It was screwed on so tightly + O-ring seal that neither of us were able to unscrew it easily. Deceptively the fat-end of the cylinder has the same grip-texture so we thought maybe that end popped off. Then we thought the small cylinder should come unscrewed from the larger cylinder and you pour the dye in one of the halves (nope, it can't be pulled apart).

    The directions also don't make sense. The "B" pointing to the fatter end make you think that side is supposed to come unscrewed (its formed on there so no). The "B" should rather be pointing to the smaller side with the grip texture. The fat side is simply to maintain your grip. Your "green arrow line" made it more clear which side to unscrew.

    So yeah. Since we didn't know how to use it we thought there must be some other method to put the dye in the cylinder. In fact, I was watching a leak video and the youtuber poured the dye into the nozzle end of the tube of manifold gauges and thought likewise in this case.

    Thanks for your assistance in this matter, greatly appreciated.
     
    #27 priuslyfe, Jun 6, 2026 at 10:29 AM
  8. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    In case anyone else needs some guidance, found this video on how to use. Just wanted to mention I was apprehensive using this tool because its a $150 loan-fine if it is returned broken. I didn't want to risk being reckless trying to figure out how to use it and end up breaking it.

     
    #28 priuslyfe, Jun 8, 2026 at 12:43 AM
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The video gets a few things right and several things wrong.

    First he shows how to unscrew the cap.

    Second he mentions purging air out of the tube.

    Third he mentions he bought the injector for $35. In reality it now sells for $25 on Amazon.

    That is the good.

    Bad:

    He does not show pressing the R134a depressor or turning the bottom knob to properly purge the air. Pushing air into the ac system is bad because air does not phase change like a refrigerant, air has water vapor in it and air takes up space.

    Second adding the special cool enhancer is bogus and harmful in any compressor and especially a high voltage Prius compressor. At best the cool enhancer is an oil derivative but it will not be compatible with a Prius system. It is certainly not a refrigerant.

    Third, he ends up adding three or more ounces of non refrigerant liquids. When you have a Prius variable speed compressor that should hold exactly 16 oz of pure refrigerant and you add ~3oz of other stuff, the extra becomes a contaminate that approaches 20%. More if you inject air which also includes water vapor.

    He incorrectly describes running the system while injecting the dye. Your instructions state ac off.

    He does not mention leak sites have to visible for uv dye to be diagnostic.
     
    #29 rjparker, Jun 8, 2026 at 7:43 AM
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2026 at 7:58 AM
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