Do-It-Yourself A/C Repair

So your car air conditioning isn’t working properly?  We feel your pain, it is summer and yes, it is hot outside.  We know you need to get the cool air blowing again and it can be tempting to go the “cheap” route and buy yourself a can of R-22a or 22a, however … DON’T … we cannot stress this point enough!!  Not only is it illegal to use the 22a refrigerants here in the United States, they are highly flammable.

According to the EPA’s website, R-22a, also known as 22a Refrigerant, is a highly flammable colorless gas, heavier than air.  The product’s Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) states that it is composed of “liquefied petroleum gas.” And its contents have been identified as propane; in some cases, it may also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons or a pine-scented odorant.

Amazingly enough, even though it is not legal to use, there are still manufacturers who are selling this product and unwitting customers are buying it thinking it is perfectly fine to use.  There are others who know of the ethical and safety concerns but go ahead and use it anyway, trying to get by on the cheap.  The problem in both of these scenarios is:

• First and foremost, it is ILLEGAL to use here in the U.S.  Auto insurance and vehicle warranties can be voided if they find out you used one of these products, and it will be impossible for you to get a reputable auto mechanic to work on your system if you have corrupted it with one of these refrigerants.
•  The reason they are illegal is because it is DANGEROUS.  Automobile A/C systems are not designed to be used with flammable gases and even though it is technically a closed system, leaks can and often do occur.  If such a leak were to occur in the evaporator coil and one of these refrigerants are being used, the flammable gas would be released into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

There are certainly automotive maintenance and repair items that are perfectly fine for the DIY mechanic at home but when it comes to your vehicle’s A/C system, the only way to go is to have it serviced by a qualified automotive mechanic.  There is a reason why only EPA certified technicians are allowed to purchase automotive refrigerants; the process requires specialized equipment and tools as well as precise measurements, temperatures and pressures to properly charge an automotive A/C system.  So, don’t be tempted to save a few dollars and try and do it yourself, it could end up costing you way more in the long run.