Charge R134 myself, or have it done?
07-08-2006, 01:51 AM
#11
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: THE AlbuCrackie,NM
Posts: 843
RE: Charge R134 myself, or have it done?
I just left my last job where we charged $149.99 for the service. We were really busy since we were the cheapest place in town. I've heard that since I've left it went to $199.99. It's only becuase there isn't any R12 for purchase anywhere in the country. Unless you got some Uncle Ted who bought 4 pallets back in 2000. There are guys out there selling R12, but it's not any nationally recognized vendors.
I'm telling you, servicing your AC is not a big deal. I remember charging $49.99 6 years ago, same company, for the exact same service. It's not like we were doing anything different back then as opposed to now.
R134A is completely Ozone Friendly...catch my drift??...just make sure that the system is completely empty before you recharge the system. You can tell it's empty but depressing the schrader valve on either of the fittings. Just like a bicycle's tire valve. Then apply your freshly purchased bottle of Freon to the valve (follow manufactures instructions on bottle) and you are in like Flynn.
You put the stop leak in first to seek out the leaks.
The only difference between what you would be doing and what I did (when charging $149.99) is use a machine that does almost exactly what I described. The machine would test the system for vac and pressure leaks prior to charging the system....then we'd only charge the customer $59.99 for a "leak check." Then it gets fun because you could end up replacing all of the components at a premium (retail) and end up making alot of jack. Or you could tell the customer about the stop leak (significantly cheaper than replacing a Compressor) and end up getting something close to the same results.
Hey, again, I would def try it out first because if you take it to a guy who is less than ethical or has integrity issues, you may be in for a costly affair.
How many mechanics do you know that would tell you "oh, no, you don't need to replace the xxxxx, just recharge it and add stop leak to it.."...?...
-Ivan
I'm telling you, servicing your AC is not a big deal. I remember charging $49.99 6 years ago, same company, for the exact same service. It's not like we were doing anything different back then as opposed to now.
R134A is completely Ozone Friendly...catch my drift??...just make sure that the system is completely empty before you recharge the system. You can tell it's empty but depressing the schrader valve on either of the fittings. Just like a bicycle's tire valve. Then apply your freshly purchased bottle of Freon to the valve (follow manufactures instructions on bottle) and you are in like Flynn.
You put the stop leak in first to seek out the leaks.
The only difference between what you would be doing and what I did (when charging $149.99) is use a machine that does almost exactly what I described. The machine would test the system for vac and pressure leaks prior to charging the system....then we'd only charge the customer $59.99 for a "leak check." Then it gets fun because you could end up replacing all of the components at a premium (retail) and end up making alot of jack. Or you could tell the customer about the stop leak (significantly cheaper than replacing a Compressor) and end up getting something close to the same results.
Hey, again, I would def try it out first because if you take it to a guy who is less than ethical or has integrity issues, you may be in for a costly affair.
How many mechanics do you know that would tell you "oh, no, you don't need to replace the xxxxx, just recharge it and add stop leak to it.."...?...
-Ivan
07-08-2006, 02:47 AM
#12
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location:
Posts: 3,768
RE: Charge R134 myself, or have it done?
Thanks for all the good info, Ivan. Unfortunately, I have run into a little snag. Please see my new post...maybe you can help me figure out what's going on.
07-08-2006, 07:59 PM
#16
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,039
RE: Charge R134 myself, or have it done?
well when i brought it to a shop he said it didnt leak but that someone must have tested it for leaks.
i whiped it all off and there hasnt been anymore since
btw my a/c is ghetto it turns itself on even with the **** in Off position. i snapped the little vaccum line at the top of the firewall but i taped it back together and it didnt seem to fix it
i whiped it all off and there hasnt been anymore since
btw my a/c is ghetto it turns itself on even with the **** in Off position. i snapped the little vaccum line at the top of the firewall but i taped it back together and it didnt seem to fix it
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bradleyb
Classic Mustangs (Tech)
3
11-27-2015 07:50 PM
