How to Properly Recharge Your AC System

Hi Chris, I owned an automotive air conditioning and radiator service shop for about 30 years. We have charged thousands of vehicles. You did a very good job of explaining how to charge an air conditioner. I have always been extra careful to bleed the air out of the hose/s like you showed. I open the shop in 1973 and sold the business to an employee in 2002 and worked for him a short time. The business is still open today.

I’m not much for leaving “comments”. Just felt like I should say “Thank you”. I mean it…the video was perfectly detailed and focused. With out this video…I doubt I would have ever had the confidence to do this repair. Now my AC is blowing cold and you can’t beat the smile off my face. Giving knowledge to people for free is very noble and very appreciated.

Back for a refresher to see if I could get my daughter's a/c working again. Wow, another confirmation why ChrisFix is the best on YT! Detailed, great editing, exactly what what is needed to get the job done right!

I just fixed my 2009 Honda Fit AC system by watching this video about 100 times and double checking that I was doing everything exactly like Chris did. I ended up having to get a new condenser because there was a hole in mine from a rock. Chris, thanks so much for posting this content. It really helped me a ton and saved me a bunch of money. I truly appreciate you and your work.

Hey Chris, I live in AZ and I have repaired a number of AC systems for myself and my friends. I use this video as a reference every time. I appreciate what you do.

After watching 20 plus videos I felt the need to write a comment. Thank you for all you do, you literally are the definition of YouTube university towards Automotive I feel like taking a car apart just for giggles now lol

I got my first car (scion xa 2005) about 7 years ago and the A/C didn't work along with various other issues. The mechanic wanted about 3k to fix the problem (it did have a small leak somewhere, and they said I needed to replace a bunch of parts to fix it) which was almost what I paid for the car at the time. After doing this it worked until a month ago, so I followed this video again and it's still working! With your videos I've helped myself, friends and coworkers fix suspension, brakes, oil pans, alternators, fluids, door handles/other body parts, scratch repair ect. I basically ask them to pay for whatever tools/parts are needed so they're still saving a bunch and I now have a respectable selection of tools! Between the confidence your videos give me and the ease of repair for my car I've saved untold amounts of money, thank you!

This guy saved me hundreds of dollars just for a few minutes of his time. Not just with this video but countless others. I went from almost knowing nothing about cars to fixing my neighbors cars. Thank you Chris.

Man, you are probably the only YouTuber who chooses to go the long and proper way in order to correct even the tiniest of mistakes. Props to you.

Nice videos Chris! As a (EXTRA) precaution after pulling a vacuum on a car's a/c system and after performing a system leak check for a minimum of the 30 minutes (using a R-134A manifold gauge set ONLY) and BEFORE disconnecting the manifold gauge line set: CLOSE the HIGH & LOW valve at each port, then wait another 15-30 minutes to verify that the High & Low side a/c port needle valves (a.k.a.- Schrader valves) are not leaking. Nothing's more irritating than having a charged a/c system leak at the High or Low side port, immediately after disconnecting the high & Low side line set!

For those of us at high altitude, the maximum vacuum your vacuum pump can pull will be less than 30" Hg. In my part of Utah, for example, it's about 26" Hg. Thanks for an excellent video-- all the needed information, but no fluff.

This video is still helping people 8 years later. Just replaced the condenser in my 2015 Silverado and this video got me through the vacuum/recharge. Thank you!

Hey Mr Fix, I want to say thank you very much for your videos. I am an OTR ( Over The Road ) truck driver and had an A/C compressor fail. It was most like caused because of boss not pulling a vacuum on the system. I have beat my head against the wall trying to explain why this is an important step, even sent him your video to NO PREVAIL. I had bought this equipment and carry it with me at all times due to the fact that I take my dog with me and travel a lot to AZ and CA. I saved over $1,300 by doing this swap myself and followed your video step by step. Now I can hang frozen meat inside my sleeper lol. You are the greatest and love how in depth you are. May God's love and mercy be plentiful for you and your family.

Everyone from my area know about Chris fix, he is a living legend for my people and myself.

This is the best video on vacuum down and re-filling your A/C system with refrigerant on the internet! I've watched it 3 times and then did it on my 2004 F150 that was cycling the compressor constantly and barely cooling. Found it had low AC pressure, 50 on high side and almost nothing on low side as the compressor would only run for about 5 seconds at a time and kick out. Found it had a leak on the high side shrader valve using soap and water trick. Evac'ed the system, replaced shrader valve, vacuumed down the system for the 45-60 min, refilled with correct amount of refrigerant and the system is working great, blowing 40 degree F air again! Thanks!

7 yrs ago and this is the go to video every time I do a a/c recharge to make sure I do it right. Thanks for a wonderful video!!!🎉

I really like seeing videos where a DIY project is explained and performed properly. A vehicle's AC system is nothing to screw around with, but as demonstrated in this video, absolutely something that most people could do with a little mechanical ability, and a lot of attention paid to the details. Excellent video here! Thank you for showing this!

I recommend replacing the Schrader valves at the high and low pressure ports. Those valves are prone to leaking o-rings after a while, and especially after a service, therefore it’s cheap insurance to just replace them. As one can see, bright green dye is visible in the ports on Chris’s high pressure port. That visible dye is indicative of a leaking schrader valve. The dye is added to refrigerant to help identify leaks on an automotive AC system.

Chris, I just got our cars a/c compressor replaced and charged with correct refrigerant amount 2 weeks ago with your video. The way you explained was awesome! Thank you!!

Chris speaks clear and direct, with a calm demeanor, Thankyou! Chris.. You're the working man's friend..