how to charge refrigerant to AC system

[garfield]

hi guys:
I am a new user of VIBE and new comer to canada.
In the last month I just buy a used vibe, 2004, 76000KM ,from vancouver. it looks like a brand new car. I drove myself and my wife from vancouver to toronto, we had a very wonderful trip in 20days. Now we decide to settle down in Toronto.
I am satisfied with my car, the fuel consumption was about 6.5 liter per 100KM in the highway. and no any problem on the way.
but these days I find something wrong in the AC system.
when I bought it in Vancouver, the weather is very cool, So when I checked it, the AC worked not bad. I could feel the air turn to cool from the vent, but not very frozen.
when I passed the Alberta, I used it sometimes, it also worked well. but just when I arrive at Toronto, the highest temperature is about 35 C in these days . So I opened it again , but the air from the vent was the same temperature compare to outside. it 's not cool.
So I checked the AC system myself. I have some questions to ask here.
1: I open the hood, there looks no any leak on the pipe or junction.
2: then I ignite the engine and AC, then I notice the compressor makes an intermittent spin noise for 3 minutes, Sounds something wrong. But 3min later the intermittent spin turn to continuous spin noise, Sounds more smooth. So the intermittent spin of compressor in the beginningis is normal?
3: when the compressor works smooth, I touch the low side pipe, the temperature is the same as the environment, but the high side pipe is a little cool than the environment. Does It mean the AC system is no problem, I only need to charge the refrigerant to it?
4: I know in some type of car I could look at the refrigerant bubbles through a glass hole, then I could know the refrigerant’s level. Is this glass hole place at expansion valve or receiver dryer? I find the receiver dryer, but there is no glass hole. And I couldn’t find the expansion valve.
5: could I buy the REDTEK A/C refrigerant to charge it myself? The Freon of this production is the same as my VIBE type? The following it the websit address
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4 ... ?locale=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
6: who know the detail about how to charge a AC system. Just connect it to the low side tap? Turn on the engine and AC. Put it to the highest cool position and the most strong wind. Is that all?

Thank for everyone could give me some advices. And English is not my mother language, so please reply me using simple word and don’t use slang.
Thank you so much!

[garfield]

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[trb]

Welcome!

The Vibe and all newer cars use r134a refrigerant. I would use that kind instead of some generic substitute. It is best to use real AC manifold gauges to check and fill the system if needed. That way you can read the high and low pressure to make sure the system is operating properly, and not over fill it. I know in the states, several auto parts places rent the gauges out and you return them when finished and get your deposit back.

picture of manifold gauge set: http://www.harborfreight.com/media/cata ... _11803.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If the compressor is cycling on and off quickly when you start it, which it sounds like you are saying, it is probably just low a small amount.

some more information:

viewtopic.php?t=34039" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck!

[garfield]

so good imformations,specially the imforms abut I could rent something from the autoparts
thank you so much

[cq358]

so good imformations,specially the imforms abut I could rent something from the autoparts
thank you so much

Also , when you charge your system at the suction line (low pressure side), you should charge it slowly in a short burst, ie, open a little and close it in 3 second and wait for system to stabilize for 10 minutes and look at the gauge and confirm if the high pressure side reading is within proper range.
The reason for that is compressor doesn't like to suck in too much liquid refrigerant.