Can Using a Car AC Recharge Kit Void My Vehicle Warranty?
Car AC Recharge Kit Void My Vehicle Warranty
The car air conditioning system relies on a delicate balance of refrigerant gas and compressor oil. Over time, it’s inevitable that some of this essential fluid will leak out of the AC system, leading to a noticeable drop in your vehicle’s cooling capabilities. Using an at-home recharge kit to plug this refrigerant loss may seem like a quick, inexpensive fix, but this DIY method can lead to bigger issues over time. Most recharge kits include a stop leak sealant that can interfere with air conditioner components like the compressor and hoses, creating clogs and other problems.
Moreover, many ac car recharge kit are incompatible with newer cars. The refrigerant used in these canisters is typically R134a, but newer cars use the more environmentally friendly R1234yf refrigerant. Mixing these types of refrigerants can create unintended consequences and even damage the equipment used by professional auto shops to perform A/C services.
A DIY ac recharge kit also can’t accurately measure the amount of refrigerant being added to your air conditioner. This is because these cans don’t have pressure gauges that show the correct pressure of the system, but rather rely on a color-coding system. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s recommended refrigerant weight, you can overcharge your system and cause permanent damage that will require a costly repair bill from a professional auto shop.
Can Using a Car AC Recharge Kit Void My Vehicle Warranty?
Another common reason that can void your car warranty is installing unauthorized aftermarket electrical modifications. These can include music systems, fog lamps, high-intensity headlights and other changes that aren’t approved by the car manufacturer. This can cause electrical failures that will void your car’s warranty.
A major sign that your vehicle’s air conditioning is in need of a recharge or other repair is the smell of odor coming from the vents. This is a clear indication that the refrigerant in the system is contaminated with mold or other contaminants, which is a serious problem that only a professional can diagnose and fix. Additionally, if you continue to use your air conditioning after the system is contaminated with contaminants, the system will be more likely to develop a major leak that can cause further damage and cost you more money in repairs in the future.
Recharge kits are essentially a hose with a recharging can tap and pressure gauge that you attach to the low side port of your AC system. When you press the trigger on the recharging can’s nozzle it pumps refrigerant into the system through the pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is important because it allows you to keep track of how much refrigerant goes into the system and ensures that your AC compressor clutch can begin spinning.
The pressure gauge also gives you an idea of the system’s current temperature, and an arrow on the gauge can help you target the right temperature for a particular recharge. You must be careful not to overfill the system because that could damage the compressor or other components. The recharging kit also includes a stop leak, which is meant to plug any small leaks that happen as you charge the system. Unfortunately, these kinds of leaks are typically not easy to fix and can clog the entire system.