# Air Conditioning Cost Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** skylark, buick\ **Created:** [August 4, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513 "2009-08-04T15:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mags145](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mags145](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mags145)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/1 "2009-08-04T15:38:30Z")
I have a 1994 Skylark which I picked up used in 2005. The AC still works but it needs to be charged. I never bothered in the Northeast because it was bearable. In the Southeast, it is not. What is the charge for this these days? I know they don’t use Freeon or whatever its called anymore and I friend told me you can’t even do it yourself because they don’t sell the kits. He told me its around $300. Well, for that amount of money my car is just going to have to feel like the Space Shuttle re-entering earth’s atmosphere. Is he correct? Any advice as always is most appreciated. Well, for that amount of money ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/2 "2009-08-04T15:41:31Z")
First, make sure what’s in it, the changover from R-12 happened right around '94. Second, if it’s the new stuff, you can get a recharge kit at any parts store, if it just needs a bit of a recharge. ---
**Author:** ![mags145](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mags145](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mags145)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/3 "2009-08-04T15:45:54Z")
Texases, Thank. It probably needs a big recharge. I’ll look into the kit but would probably prefer to have a mechanic do it. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/4 "2009-08-04T16:06:43Z")
I don’t recommend the DIY recharge kits. I believe automotive AC requires specialized equipment and knowledge, which neither you nor I have. If you refill it yourself the new refrigerant will just leak out the same place(s) all the old refrigerant went, and you’ll be back where you started. Take the car to a shop that specializes in automotive AC and let them tell you what you need. I can tell you this: $300 doesn’t go too far when you start working on the AC. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/5 "2009-08-04T20:30:35Z")
Mcparadise is correct. $300 is going to the tip of the iceberg here. And indeed 1994 was during the changeover from R12 to R134a. I’ve seen Dodges as old as 1993 that have R-134a, and I know ford was almost entirely switched over by 1994. I would guess that GM would be switched over by then as well. If that’s indeed the case, recharging it will be cheaper. But a recharge doesn’t fix the real problem. Your AC system has a leak, and it’s going to fix itself. You’re going to need to determine how bad and where the leak is, and you’re going to want a qualified person to perform the dye test and go from there. Again, I fear $300 isn’t going to get you very far in this endeavor. ---
**Author:** ![mags145](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@mags145](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mags145)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/6 "2009-08-05T20:42:36Z")
I appreciate all the replies folks. Thanks very much. Now, another nagging issue has arisen which makes the AC seem like a non-issue. In fact it was so annoying I didn’t even notice the intense heat while driving the car. I’ll be posting that shortly. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-conditioning-cost-question/34513/7 "2009-08-05T21:01:03Z")
There are DIY recharge kits. Even for the new stuff. Wall-Mart even sells it.