Review: Arctic Freeze Auto Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Auto air conditioning is essential in the southern states, especially during the Florida summers where the combination of high temperatures and high humidity are nothing short of brutal. Vacationers and transplants from the northern states are hardly accustomed to Florida's weather. I have lived in the southern states for the majority of my life, but even I can only tolerate so much heat and humidity. Like our homes here, auto air conditioning is a must.

A few months ago I decided to repair my old Chevy and get it back on the road after sitting for nearly a year. Once up and running, I discovered that the air conditioner was not working. I could have easily taken it so some auto AC repair shop, but I am frugal by nature. Frugal is just a diplomatic way of describing cheap. I decided to recharge the air conditioner myself. I am no mechanic, but I do know my way around the engine compartment.

At one of the local discount stores I found a bottle of Arctic Freeze auto air conditioning 134a refrigerant. Knowing that my AC was more than just low in Freon, I elected to purchase the giant size, 22-ounce container. I was attracted to this particular kit because it included a gauge. Without a gauge, you really have no idea where the Freon level is in the system. Overfilling is potentially a bigger problem than under-filling the AC system. In addition to the Freon and refrigerant oil, Arctic Freeze also contained "leak sealer" and chemicals to eliminate moisture and acid within the AC system.

On the back of the bottle are all the instructions you need to recharge your auto air conditioner. If you have never recharged your auto air conditioner before, read the directions thoroughly before you start. There are two ports on an AC system, the high side and the low side of the compressor. Freon must be added on the low-pressure side of the AC system so the compressor can suck the Freon from the bottle into the system. Neither port is marked as high or low, but it is not difficult to determine which of the two is the low-pressure connection. As the directions on the Artic Freeze tell you, "The low-side port is located on larger diameter aluminum tubing between the evaporator and compressor." The evaporator is the coil in front of the radiator. From the evaporator coil you can easily trace the line back to the compressor and find the low-pressure port.

Remove the cap from the low-pressure port and simply push the Freon line from the Artic Freeze bottle onto the port. This is so much easier than some of the older or cheaper products that had a screw-on connection. Make sure the connector has locked onto the port. The connector will only fit the low-pressure port. If the connector will not go on, maybe you are on the wrong port. With the Freon line connected, you are ready to begin. Start your engine, let it run for three minutes, turn on the air conditioner onto max and listen for the AC compressor to kick in and out.

Freon is only added when the compressor is running unless the Freon is so low that the low-pressure switch in the AC system prevents the compressor from running. Holding the bottle upside down, Freon is added by simply by pressing the button on the top of the Artic Freeze bottle. When the compressor runs, press the button, and when the compressor stops, release the button. If the compressor will not run, go ahead and press the button to add Freon. Once there is enough Freon in the system to provide some pressure, the compressor will engage. The compressor will not run very long when the Freon level is low. As you add Freon with each run cycle of the AC compressor, the compressor will begin to run longer with each cycle.

So when is the air conditioner fully charged? This is where the Arctic Freeze gauge comes in so handy. The gauge is divided up into four color-coded areas: green to add, blue for operating range, yellow for alert and red for over-charged. The gauge reads constantly while attached to the low-pressure port. When the AC compressor engages, the pressure on the gauge will drop. As you add Freon through each cycle, the pressure on the gauge will slowly rise until it remains in the "blue" operating range on the gauge. The ideal operating pressure depends on the ambient air temperature outside. Refer to the temperature table on the side of the Artic Freeze bottle.

With the pressure now in the blue operating zone of the gauge, your auto air conditioner is at full potential. Pull the outer ring of the fill hose connector on the Artic Freeze bottle, and the connector easily removes. Place the protective cap back onto the low-pressure port of the AC system. Now enjoy some cold air from Artic Freeze.

Artic Freeze Auto Air Conditioning is a great product with simple to follow directions for the do-it-yourself person. The gauge, included with the kit 22-ounch kit, was the key selling point for me. The gauge can be used any time to check you Freon level. The gauge and fill line are reusable and can be used on smaller sized refill bottles offered by Artic Freeze.