| Vancouver Auto Chat 2016 VAC Community Head Moderator: Raid3n |
 | 
07-02-2013, 06:07 PM
|
#1 | | Revscene.net has a homepage?!
Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: vancouver
Posts: 1,259
Thanked 301 Times in 140 Posts
Failed 99 Times in 30 Posts
| Lf: shop to recharge ac
Can anyone recommend me a shop preferably in Burnaby to have my car ac recharged? It's a newer car so it'll use the same refrigerant as most cars on the road.
Looking for a place that's hopefully cash friendly  | 
|  | |
07-02-2013, 06:11 PM
|
#2 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 29,857
Thanked 11,537 Times in 4,718 Posts
Failed 440 Times in 282 Posts
|
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS  I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 06:50 PM
|
#3 | | I don't get it
Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Surrey
Posts: 433
Thanked 132 Times in 48 Posts
Failed 70 Times in 18 Posts
|
All places are cash friendly hehe. Was thinking the same thing... Cmon dukes whatcha got in surrey ?  Posted via RS Mobile | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 06:53 PM
|
#4 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 29,857
Thanked 11,537 Times in 4,718 Posts
Failed 440 Times in 282 Posts
|
Surrey is WAY too mainstream. 
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 08:21 PM
|
#5 | | Fathered more RS members than anybody else. Who's your daddy?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 24,933
Thanked 11,629 Times in 4,967 Posts
Failed 316 Times in 202 Posts
|
OP, if it's a recharge you need, do it yourself. It is uber easy. Get recharge kit from Lordco, CT, wherever. I just did the wife's van.
__________________ Quote: |
"there but for the grace of god go I"
| Quote: |
Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young.
| YODO = You Only Die Once.
Dirty look from MG1 can melt steel beams.
"There must be dissonance before resolution - MG1" a musical reference.
| |
| | |
07-02-2013, 08:43 PM
|
#6 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Richmond
Posts: 916
Thanked 692 Times in 227 Posts
Failed 68 Times in 25 Posts
|
I thought the ones they sell here is r12a (propane), whereas most cars use r134a?
you can't recharge r134a here without a license, the US have recharge kits for r134a at walmart though.
| |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:23 PM
|
#7 | | Fathered more RS members than anybody else. Who's your daddy?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 24,933
Thanked 11,629 Times in 4,967 Posts
Failed 316 Times in 202 Posts
|
I have a license to kill........... they call me Bond. James Bond.
All kidding aside, I didn't know you had to have a license to recharge the A/C.
I think the r12a (freon) is the dangerous stuff that needs a license. The r134a is safer and can be done by anyone.
__________________ Quote: |
"there but for the grace of god go I"
| Quote: |
Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young.
| YODO = You Only Die Once.
Dirty look from MG1 can melt steel beams.
"There must be dissonance before resolution - MG1" a musical reference.
Last edited by MG1; 07-02-2013 at 09:37 PM.
| |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:28 PM
|
#8 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 29,857
Thanked 11,537 Times in 4,718 Posts
Failed 440 Times in 282 Posts
|
I "think" R12A is no longer commercially available in Canada although I'm sure Bob, George and Greg at Back Alley AC Repairs can recharge it for you. The common practice is to perform the R134a conversion/retrofit. You can still go to an AC shop in the US to refill R12A.
R134a is what's being used in most cars, I believe 94 and up? (Somebody with more knowledge can correct me.) There is debate about the kits sold at Canadian Tire. Some say it's a band-aid fix. If your AC system is leaking, constantly recharging it with the kits isn't going to solve the problem. If you have a leak in the system, it's best to have it properly repaired.
But for some people, they don't give a shit and whatever works so whatever floats your boat / YMMV.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:44 PM
|
#9 | | I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vancouver
Posts: 572
Thanked 57 Times in 45 Posts
Failed 2 Times in 1 Post
|
well, if your AC system still has SOME charge to it, and hasn't leaked out completely, you can recharge with the off the shelf R134a AC kits... if your system is completely empty of refrigerant, then you NEED to replace your receiver dryer with a new one, and have your system vacuumed to boil off any moisture, and then you can recharge it... otherwise, moisture will kill our expansion valve and/or compressor...
__________________
__________________
VZN185 - 32" BFG AT, 32" TOYO MT, OME suspension, ARB bumper, Warn winch, 3sixty LED light bar, TRD trans cooler, TRD exhaust, AMT sliders, budbuilt skids...
ZWA10 - stock F-sport with LEDs... fng@regencyauto.com | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:45 PM
|
#10 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
No
Duracool etc are "hydrocarbon" mixes to substitute R12a, it is not R12a. R12a are still available at Marine shops (it is pretty expensive now).
R134a is what is commonly used but it is still not very environmentally friendly. It is being replaced by Dupont's HFO-1234yf, Mercedes and Cadillac are the first with commercial products S class and XTS.
I would suggest if it is among friends.. have a meet up.. charge up the systems with coollant and a dye (usually option kits would have it), everyone run the AC system for a week.. then meet up again in an evening like tonight.. check for leaks with a dark light.. then add lub etc and coolant for those cars which are not leaking.
Note: the coolant + oil acts as a lubricant for the compressor.. so you need to add the oil along with your coolant. Since you don't use too much of it.. that's why I suggest have a group meet to make material use more efficient. Another thing not to do, don't cheap out with the cheapest hose, get ones with a pressure reading, so you don't overcharge / undercharge the system. R12a runs at a higher pressure vs R134a.. look the values up on your repair manuals before you guys meet.
If you are environmentally responsible.. get a empty propane tank and a scale.. weigh the empty tank and evacuate the coolant before you recharge.. there are places that actually buy back coolant. Harbour freight actually have a decent AC setup cable set for $60. Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoc I thought the ones they sell here is r12a (propane), whereas most cars use r134a?
you can't recharge r134a here without a license, the US have recharge kits for r134a at walmart though. |
Last edited by godwin; 07-02-2013 at 10:00 PM.
| |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:50 PM
|
#11 | | Fathered more RS members than anybody else. Who's your daddy?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 24,933
Thanked 11,629 Times in 4,967 Posts
Failed 316 Times in 202 Posts
|
I was afraid my wife's van had a leak, so was totally prepared to take it to a shop to have fixed. Before I did that, I wanted to recharge the system in case it wasn't a leak. Luckily it was not a leak. The procedure really is simple. Just need to read the directions (OK, that may be difficult for a lot of people - reading comprehension fail) and fully understand the steps before you go ahead.
__________________ Quote: |
"there but for the grace of god go I"
| Quote: |
Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young.
| YODO = You Only Die Once.
Dirty look from MG1 can melt steel beams.
"There must be dissonance before resolution - MG1" a musical reference.
| |
| | |
07-02-2013, 09:58 PM
|
#12 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
If you keep your car outside in our climate for any extended amount of time, there will be coolant leak, because different hose connections don't expand contract at the same rate.
My suggestion is always add a diagnostic dye at the initial charge and add lub oil. Also if you don't have a gauge or know the psi, you might need to recharge next year.. Hydrocarbon mix are more volatile than the original. That's why recharging with the original R134a if able is cheaper on the long run. Since you have mixed the coolant, the shop will have to evacuate the whole system etc. Quote:
Originally Posted by MG1 I was afraid my wife's van had a leak, so was totally prepared to take it to a shop to have fixed. Before I did that, I wanted to recharge the system in case it wasn't a leak. Luckily it was not a leak. The procedure really is simple. Just need to read the directions (OK, that may be difficult for a lot of people - reading comprehension fail) and fully understand the steps before you go ahead. | | |
| | |
07-02-2013, 10:59 PM
|
#13 | | Fathered more RS members than anybody else. Who's your daddy?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 24,933
Thanked 11,629 Times in 4,967 Posts
Failed 316 Times in 202 Posts
|
I recharged with r134a. I believe that's what was originally in the car.
__________________ Quote: |
"there but for the grace of god go I"
| Quote: |
Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young.
| YODO = You Only Die Once.
Dirty look from MG1 can melt steel beams.
"There must be dissonance before resolution - MG1" a musical reference.
| |
| | |
07-03-2013, 09:49 AM
|
#14 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Richmond
Posts: 916
Thanked 692 Times in 227 Posts
Failed 68 Times in 25 Posts
|
Where did you buy your r134a MG1? They only carry redtek R12a and what not at CT and wal-mart.
I believe it is illegal to sell r134a to unlicensed techs here in Canada due to CFCs.
| |
| | |
07-03-2013, 11:39 AM
|
#15 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Richmond
Posts: 8,645
Thanked 1,357 Times in 508 Posts
Failed 229 Times in 105 Posts
|
R12 is illegal. R12a is the redtek stuff. R134a is the freon used on newer cars. Get the facts straight first.
I personally don't trust the in a can solutions. Only try them ONCE and if that doesn't work go to professionals. If it works great, but if it doesn't, you are probably in need of a lot more freon than the 250g or something the in-a-can solution is providing at each time. Many cans sold in the States with R134a comes premixed with oil and dye so if you are adamant about fixing the system go that route.
Then there's my volvo. Which requires inserting bread clips into the compressor wheel to make a/c work. ymmv. 
__________________ ⇐ If I bothered replying, that's the face I made while I typed.
- 2017 Alfa Romeo Giula Q4
- 1999 Nissan Stagea 260RS 1 of 748
- 1998 Nissan Laurel Medallion Club S drift boi
- 1991 Lexus LS400 mint boi
- 1989 Nissan S-Cargo cute boi
| |
| | |
07-03-2013, 12:50 PM
|
#16 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 29,857
Thanked 11,537 Times in 4,718 Posts
Failed 440 Times in 282 Posts
|
^
There we go.
True R12 is illegal and not available. R12a is the knock off variant found in the can.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
| | |
07-03-2013, 03:59 PM
|
#17 | | Fathered more RS members than anybody else. Who's your daddy?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 24,933
Thanked 11,629 Times in 4,967 Posts
Failed 316 Times in 202 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoc Where did you buy your r134a MG1? | My friendly neighbourhood Lordco.
__________________ Quote: |
"there but for the grace of god go I"
| Quote: |
Youth is, indeed, wasted on the young.
| YODO = You Only Die Once.
Dirty look from MG1 can melt steel beams.
"There must be dissonance before resolution - MG1" a musical reference.
| |
| | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:02 PM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
