Are the DIY AC recharge products worth the time and $$?

[Headknocker via CarKB.com]

I'm asking because the AC in my '98 CRV doesn't perform like it used to so I
bought one of those products last Saturday(with a gauge built into the unit)
only to find the refrigerant level to be well within the specs of being fully
charged. Aren't there compromises when you're only adding refrigerant to the
low side? I remember my Dad telling that the correct way is to let a
qualified shop do the work since their equipment is able to deal with the
high side as well.

 

[Jason]

I'm asking because the AC in my '98 CRV doesn't perform like it used to so I
bought one of those products last Saturday(with a gauge built into the unit)
only to find the refrigerant level to be well within the specs of being fully
charged. Aren't there compromises when you're only adding refrigerant to the
low side? I remember my Dad telling that the correct way is to let a
qualified shop do the work since their equipment is able to deal with the
high side as well.

Have it towed to the dealership and have them fix the problem so that you
will not have this problem again. It's my guess that there is a factory
defect related to at least one or more of the injectors.
Jason

 

[Michael Pardee]

I'm asking because the AC in my '98 CRV doesn't perform like it used to so
I
bought one of those products last Saturday(with a gauge built into the
unit)
only to find the refrigerant level to be well within the specs of being
fully
charged. Aren't there compromises when you're only adding refrigerant to
the
low side? I remember my Dad telling that the correct way is to let a
qualified shop do the work since their equipment is able to deal with the
high side as well.

--

I have always recharged my own R-12 systems successfully - "by ear"
(listening to the compressor cycling), by thermometer taped to the
evaporator suction side, by high/low guages or by sight glass. I figured I
could recharge an R-134a system by ear and guage, but I found out the
experts were right and I was out of my league.

I recommend you take it to a pro, who will empty it and put the right weight
of refrigerant in. You can do the DIY route like I did, but I can only be
sure the charge will be wrong when you are done. Mine sure was.

Mike