Hello all, I am new to the forum - this is my first post, although I have read many of them and you all are the bomb. I am a new owner of a 94 4runner - I say it like a proud papa. Down to the point. I just added some R-134a refrigerant as the A/C was not too cold. Its the V6. I was curious does anyone know the system capacity? I put in what I think was an 8 oz can and the guage that I was using barely moved. Anyone have any insite or have filled theirs lately?

 

Which side did you do it on?, what did your gauge read before?... You might try starting it and then adding the can. Once your Can equalizes pressure with the system, it wont take anymore, you have to start it to draw the rest out of the can... But that is dependant on how much you need? If you have pressure your fine. Check your fan to make sure its working. I think its around 200-250psi on the High side, and around 60 on the low side... Its been awhile since i did mine.

 

Cool thanks. I put in the one can on the Low Pressure side like the little gun guage said. It did not take the entire contents of the can. But when I took the gun off the low pressuer nosle I could here it leaking back out. I was not sure if that was some kind of safty that if it was too full it leaked out to a set presure or if it was the nosle stuck open a little. I slapped the gun back on and then popped it off again and the hissing stopped. Either way now it is colder. If anyone is thinking of hitting theres up it was a really easy thing to do. I was just worried as it was the first time I have done it, and did not have anyone around that had done theres.

 

First question. Was the system ever converted to 134a? I dont remember 94 using 134a to begin with I am thinking that year was still using r12 but i could be wrong.
Second question. If it has not been converted. Can you mix 134a and r12 and it be ok. I cant remember if ya can or not.

 

My '94 was factory charged with R134a. Whether all of them were or not I can't be sure. Mine has build date of 9/94 so maybe the earlier ones used R12.

And my 4Runner hold 1.8 lbs of R134a. The cans are 12 ounce, so I just fill it with about 1 and 3/4 cans and it seems to be about right. That gives me a lowside pressure (engine running and A/C on) of about 28 lbs.

 

Doug said it all. By the way - I noticed that my low pressure cap was missing so I went to Carquest and got one. Guess what? A standard sized cap won't fit. For some reason it is an odd size although I've had no problems whatsoever hooking up gauges to check the system. Just a little observation I've made.

 

Thanks Doug that is what I was looking for. Come to think of it I remember the sticker for the 134a saying someing like 1.8 pounds or something. I was thinking it was all messed up and that it was pounds of pressure which did not seem like alot to me, not weight of fluid. Makes more sence now

 

Are you from Utah?

Since its been pretty hot here, my AC in both my cars have been struggling. That may be part of the reason it isn't ice cold..

 

Guys make sure to use the right units so we don't confuse people...
pounds = weight
psi = pressure

AC systems are usually filled by weight of refrigerant anywhere from 1.5-3.5 lbs is not uncommon to fill a system from scratch. You may also need to cycle the 134a a bit to make sure that the system has equalized. It is not a good idea to mix refrigerants (ie R12 and 134a) and make sure there is adequate lubricant in the system as well.

 

Most Toyotas have a sight glass. Locate sight glass and add refrigerant till sight glass clears, no bubbles. This is much more accurate than reading pressure. And unless you have a electronic scale you cannot weigh ref. in.