Freon recharge help, 01 solara

[dug320]

I am no expert but a quick learner and a decent researcher.

To look for leaks get a fluorescent black light, R134a oil fluoresces under a black light. No dye required (big ripoff as it is a holdover from the R12 world).

Typical leaks in Toyota AC systems are shaft seals.

It is super easy to overcharge R134a systems. Overcharges will appear harmless at first but time will tell and so will the pocket book. The correct equipment is the key to charging the system.

Simply, the biggest pain is the gas. The rest is quite simple.

DON'T PUT SEALANT IN THE SYSTEM. Sure it works, but then you were going to sell the car.

[02slera]

i put sealant in mine the first time and didnt mean to. i just wanted to try a recharge and turns out what i bought had sealant in it.. oops. well it did not seal the leak. has not caused problems yet either. this last time i recharged it... the refrigerant did have dye in it, not really a rip off because it didnt cost any more, it was actually the cheaper kit to buy at the local store to charge the system, it also came with a pen that has a black light in the tip and allowed me to see the leaking spot on the compressor where one of the lines bolts in on the top. only thing i was worried about is the viewing window being useless now as it is covered with dye. what a bunch of A holes to put dye in a refrigerant that already shows in blacklight.

[dug320]

Sounds like an o-ring failure.