[Long story below. Short version: I added a 19oz. R134 recharge to the AC in my 96 M3, and: the system pressure didn't go up (started at ~25-30psi) and the AC didn't get any colder. Wtf? Should I try adding more refrigerant, or set the car on fire, or what?]
The AC in my 96 M3 has never really been as cold as I would like, so I decided to get one of those refill kits from Advance Auto and see if a recharge was indicated, and if so, if it helped.
I plugged the kit (interdynamics brand, with an integral hose, gauge, and 19oz. can of refrigerant) in to the AC fitting right by the firewall, and according to the gauge, I was just barely into the "enough refrigerant" zone. This is with the engine running, all vents open, AC maxed, etc. Humidity fairly low, and temps around 75.
I figured I'd go ahead and add some R134 to see if that would help. Long story short, before I knew it, I'd emptied the entire 19oz. can into the system, and the pressure gauge didn't seem to budge. When I had the button on the can pushed to add refrigerant, the pressure would rise up to 50 psi or so, but as soon as I let off it would settle back down to ~25-30 psi.
Furthermore, the AC doesn't seem any colder. I am wondering if I screwed up somehow, or if I should add even more R134, or what. It seems very strange that the pressure didn't rise at all, but another member here, hccyong, had the same problem that he posted about last year.
The AC in my 96 M3 has never really been as cold as I would like, so I decided to get one of those refill kits from Advance Auto and see if a recharge was indicated, and if so, if it helped.
I plugged the kit (interdynamics brand, with an integral hose, gauge, and 19oz. can of refrigerant) in to the AC fitting right by the firewall, and according to the gauge, I was just barely into the "enough refrigerant" zone. This is with the engine running, all vents open, AC maxed, etc. Humidity fairly low, and temps around 75.
I figured I'd go ahead and add some R134 to see if that would help. Long story short, before I knew it, I'd emptied the entire 19oz. can into the system, and the pressure gauge didn't seem to budge. When I had the button on the can pushed to add refrigerant, the pressure would rise up to 50 psi or so, but as soon as I let off it would settle back down to ~25-30 psi.
Furthermore, the AC doesn't seem any colder. I am wondering if I screwed up somehow, or if I should add even more R134, or what. It seems very strange that the pressure didn't rise at all, but another member here, hccyong, had the same problem that he posted about last year.
