A/C Recharge on 2005 Mazda 3 Sedan

[lprince]

Hi all,

Yesterday the heat here went up to about 40 Celsius I believe and unluckily I had to go outside for a long drive. Decided to turn on the A/C and it started blowing hot ait (made sure the right knobs were turned and everything)....drove for about 30 minutes and it was still blowing hot air.

I bought this car 2 years ago and I beleive it is time for an A/C recharge. Canadian tire has this kit: RED TEK A/C Refrigerant Recharge Kit $55

Click Here to see the kit

I was wondering if anyone has used this before? anything you can tell me about this kit, in terms of its effectiveness and ease of use?

I was also wondering if someone who has done this before would help me out and let me know:

1. Where to locate service valves
2. The correct procedure to complete this job

I have never done this before and you guys have always helped me out with my random questions so I would appreciate this very much!

[cwp_sedan]

My brother used this on his car when he had a leak and needed to refill the system. It brings back "some" of the cold air but not all. I would stick with 134a if you can. It will be much colder and you won't have to have the system drained first of the 134a. Purging it off into the atmosphere isn't god for the environment, nor is it legal.

1. You must have a leak since the air isn't that cold or the compressor isn't working. Fix that first. There is never a cheap fix with a leaking A/C system. You'll just have to top it up next year AND you are continuously letting the gas escape into the atmosphere.

2. Refill with 134a and call it a day.

2005s aren't known to have the best A/C system so I wouldn't expect your system to be extremely cold, especially on 32+ degree weather.

[sol_searchin]

You either have a leak or another faulty part within the a/c system, refrigerant should last you at minimum of 5-10 years before needing a top up otherwise you have a leak

[Default User]

You either have a leak or another faulty part within the a/c system, refrigerant should last you at minimum of 5-10 years before needing a top up otherwise you have a leak

+1

You'll need a tech to do a dye test to see where the leak is. A dye test puts a bit of the refrigerant (with a blue dye) through the system. This way the tech can spot the blue fluid, and pinpoint where the leak is.

IIRC - a dye test is $60-100. If there are no leaks, you'll at least have some freon circulating in the system.

[lprince]

Thanks all for your comments. I guess its in my best interest to visit a tech. Do you all know a good tech in T.O area that can do this for about $60-$100?

[Cosmo77]

Most places charge at least 1 hour for a/c Diag which incledes charging the system and looking for leaks.

This season already has seen a increased number of 06 and older compressor failures and two particlar line failures.

Sadly my own compressor failed yesterday...parts being replaced Saturday

Cosmo

Mazda Tech

[lprince]

Most places charge at least 1 hour for a/c Diag which incledes charging the system and looking for leaks.

This season already has seen a increased number of 06 and older compressor failures and two particlar line failures.

Sadly my own compressor failed yesterday...parts being replaced Saturday

Cosmo

Mazda Tech

Thats some interesting news, Cosmo. How much to replace the compressor?

[Default User]

K&H Radiators
3596 St.Clair Ave. East.
Scarborough, Ontario
M1K 1M2

Phone: 416-266-7777