Can Your A/C System Be Overcharged?
You bought your car a year ago. Everything works well. Then suddenly, the air conditioning starts blowing hot air. You consult an A/C conditioning expert who tells you a low refrigerant could be the problem. He also tells you that there’s no need to panic because the problem is easy to fix. You can in fact, do it yourself. But just how much refrigerant should you add?
This question lingers because you read somewhere that an A/C system can be overcharged. That is true. Too much refrigerant in any A/C system is just as bad as too little. The result is always an overcharged A/C system. That explains why the A/C blows hot air. To make sure the system does not overcharge, the refrigerant needs to be just right. Then, despite what anyone else tells you, avoid fixing the issue on your own. Leave it to a professional.
What Happens If The System Gets Overcharged?
As already explained, you will end up with an A/C system that blows hot air. That’s because a pressure cut off switch will have been activated to stop the A/C’s compressor from running. An A/C car professional can easily assess the damage and fix it. The expert will simply have the excess refrigerant recovered from you’re A/C system. Keep in mind that venting a refrigerant from your system is illegal and can get you booked for court and charged.
How Dangerous Is An Overcharged System?
An overcharged system won’t just function. It will also damage other parts of an A/C system. This will force you to spend more than you may have set aside for A/C system repairs. To avoid such a scenario, measure the pressure before you can begin to charge it. This can be done by attaching a pressure gauge to the low side port. Make sure the car is running with the air conditioning system set to the maximum cool. The fan should also be set to its highest setting.
What Does Ambient Temperature Have To Do With An Overcharged System?
The proper pressure of an A/C system depends on the ambient temperature. That is the temperature outside. That explains why you must set the bezel arrow of the pressure gauge to match the corresponding ambient temperature. You can then charge to the pressure that corresponds with that temperature setting. This is the best way to determine the proper pressure for you A/C system. Do not charge the car if the ambient temperature is at or below 55°F. Also, do not for any reason, charge your car if it is above 55 Psi.
Does A Refrigerant Ever Go Bad?
Not at all. The A/C refrigerant does and cannot go bad. This is actually a misconception try to connect with an overcharged A/C system. You also cannot ‘use up’ the refrigerant in your A/C system. If the temperature of an A/C system is low, the vehicle will cause a refrigerant leak which must be repaired by an A/C expert.