It seems to me that here's the process I'd go through if I wanted to save a few bucks on the labor:
1. Go to professional, have them recover all r134a.
2. Take car home, replace parts/compressors as necessary.
3. Return to professional, have them recharge system after pulling necessary vacuums etc.
Here's the deal with those Autozone based r134a charging systems. And a certified A/C repair shop confirmed this with me one afternoon.
It's a closed system. If your system isn't leaking, you shouldn't have to recharge it. Ever. Once you find the need to recharge it, your system is leaking. Yes, it can be a very slow leak. However, what that means is you are leaking 134a into the air. No different than you simply releasing it into the air yourself. The only difference is it's happening over months instead of over 15 seconds.
Replace your own compressors to save some $$$ on labor and shop costs. But rely on a professional to do the recover and recharge. It's worth it and it'll be done correctly.
1. Go to professional, have them recover all r134a.
2. Take car home, replace parts/compressors as necessary.
3. Return to professional, have them recharge system after pulling necessary vacuums etc.
Here's the deal with those Autozone based r134a charging systems. And a certified A/C repair shop confirmed this with me one afternoon.
It's a closed system. If your system isn't leaking, you shouldn't have to recharge it. Ever. Once you find the need to recharge it, your system is leaking. Yes, it can be a very slow leak. However, what that means is you are leaking 134a into the air. No different than you simply releasing it into the air yourself. The only difference is it's happening over months instead of over 15 seconds.
Replace your own compressors to save some $$$ on labor and shop costs. But rely on a professional to do the recover and recharge. It's worth it and it'll be done correctly.
