Hi Folks

have an 09 Fit. My AC has been blowing hot air so yesterday I took it to an auto shop. They checked and told they don’t know where the leak is and they’d fill the refrigerant with dye and then check where the leak might be. Yesterday it was late in the afternoon so I didn’t go thru that with them and I thought I can buy the Freon kit myself and fill it for a lot less.

so today on the way to advance auto I noticed that compressor isn’t even coming on. Could they have left it disconnected/ unplugged? Is that possible?

I didn’t buy the Freon as I understand the compressor must come on before you can recharge it, right?

can someone pls advise?

 

There’s a low pressure switch that keeps the compressor from coming on if it’s low or empty.

I’d take it back and let them do the dye test. Ac refills aren’t a diy task. Those self fill kits should be banned.

 

I see, thanks. Are you recommending against DIY kits as they can potentially damage the system or they don’t work at all?

 

Potential damage, chief. A/C is specialty work. Despite my opposition to leaving stuff to professionals, I (and many private shops) outsource for A/C.

 

AC is a closed system under pressure. People seem to conflate it with other fluid systems in which you need to periodically “top it off”. The sale of these diy bottles unfortunately seems to perpetuate that idea.

The truth is that if it’s low, it has a leak. And if it has a leak, you need to find out where it is and fix it. A pro will pull a vacuum on the line first to evacuate the system and any moisture. Then fill. Then recycle the old stuff to keep it out of the environment. All of those things require special equipment and a bit of training.