Lito Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 Today was warm enough to test the A/C properly, and indeed, it doesn't do squat.Is there an easy way to diagnose where the problem might be? It wasn't very strong last year, but, I have no experience with Smart's A/C and nothing to really compare to.Should I look for a local A/C specialist? Go to a dealer? (I hope the last is not an option... I am scared!)If you like to provide links to other pages please go ahead. Searches here and google didn't result in very helpful results for me. Quote
TO Ed Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 Here is a useful link: http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopi...00&hl=freon I recharge the air conditioning system myself every year or two depending on the severity of the winter. The o-rings shrink when cold (-20C or colder). This allows the refrigerant to leak out when you are least likely to need a/c. A Duracool or similar refrigerant and recharge hose/gauge are very reasonably priced compared to the alternatives. There are instructions available somewhere here or on Evilution's site on how to do the recharge. It will work better than new. Fairly easy to do. Quote
turbomar Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 (edited) I can assist you with it Lito. A 6oz can of RedTek sells for less than $20 at CTC which should last you the whole summer(both weeks!)It probably will require removal of the front clip which is secured somewhat the same way as the 450 Edited May 11, 2014 by turbomar Quote
jwight Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 You can reach the A/C recharging ports on the 451 with the service flap off; no need to remove the front clip. http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f2...quipment-71065/ Quote
turbomar Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 You can reach the A/C recharging ports on the 451 with the service flap off; no need to remove the front clip. http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f2...quipment-71065/You are correct using service hoses. However, using recharge adapter hose/gauge assy. it's too short(no clearance for the gauge) Quote
jwight Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 Guess it depends on which kit you get; eBay has some with longer hoses. Quote
dmoonen Posted May 11, 2014 Posted May 11, 2014 My ac was evacuated with the engine swap, just recharged it with the kit from Walmart. Blows at 43F now. Pretty simple job on the 450, haven't done one on a 451 yet just makes sure you tie into the low pressure side and run it with the ac on high. Quote
Lito Posted May 13, 2014 Author Posted May 13, 2014 Wow! Lot's of great info. Thank you guys.Mario, I may get in touch with you about this, but you are a mechanic and I would not ask you for a freebie. Now... If a bottle of red wine or similar is accepted in trade... Quote
turbomar Posted May 14, 2014 Posted May 14, 2014 Can you come up to Kanata? I'll be gone this long weekend but I can do it 23-25 May. Just get a can of Redtek from Canadian tire or Duracool from Walmart Quote
Lito Posted May 14, 2014 Author Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) That sounds great Mario. I'll get in touch with you via email after this post, but, I just want to share that it would be a great opportunity to make it an instructional video to post here. In the meantime... Which of these would you recommend I get? http://www.walmart.ca/search/Duracool or http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/search-resul...ue&q=Redtek PS. And thank you! (red or white? Edited May 14, 2014 by Lito Quote
dmoonen Posted May 14, 2014 Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Both are basically the same, I've used both products in the past. My old 300e had an impossible to find AC leak even when I had everything changed, the quick seal (duracool kit) stuff actually works and it expands the seals. If yours leaked it might be good idea to get a bundle that includes it IMO Edited May 14, 2014 by dmoonen Quote
turbomar Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 Topped up Lito's a/c this morning. Like the 450, the gauge of the a/c fill kit interferes on the 451. To get around that, the front clip can be removed. I had to use a slightly longer hose so the clip need not be removed Quote
strawboss Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 My AC has croaked again this spring,so after a failed pair of repair attempts in two weeks at the local foreign car garage it looks like I'm dragging out the Duracool..... again. Quote
dmoonen Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Use the duraseal first, it expands the seals! Quote
brd Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 Just wondering what size hose/ gauge and connectors you need to refill the refrigerant on the smart. I assume that the smart uses metric connectors whereas the stuff you would find at CanTire, like the Redtek stuff, would likely be in imperial sizes. Quote
lebikerboy Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 I bought the kit from Can tire and have had no problems using it on imports or domestic. Pretty sure the fittings are universal... Quote
brd Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 (edited) 58 minutes ago, lebikerboy said: I bought the kit from Can tire and have had no problems using it on imports or domestic. Pretty sure the fittings are universal... Which specific kit? Reason I ask is the earlier comments said that the hoses with gauges were too short to use in a 451. On 5/11/2014 at 2:14 PM, turbomar said: jwight said: You can reach the A/C recharging ports on the 451 with the service flap off; no need to remove the front clip. http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f2...quipment-71065/ You are correct using service hoses. However, using recharge adapter hose/gauge assy. it's too short(no clearance for the gauge) Thanks Edited August 23, 2020 by brd Quote
LooseLugNuts Posted August 23, 2020 Posted August 23, 2020 (edited) if you know someone who has an account with partsource the redtek 12a is $6 a can canadian tire sells the same ones for $15 retail the ports are standardized...all 134a will be the same...(r12a kits will have r134a style connects).....there is basically only 2 styles on cars and the old r12 systems are very rare to see now Edited August 23, 2020 by LooseLugNuts Quote
lebikerboy Posted August 24, 2020 Posted August 24, 2020 23 hours ago, brd said: Which specific kit? Reason I ask is the earlier comments said that the hoses with gauges were too short to use in a 451. Thanks Never used it on a 451 so I can't speak to that... Quote
adelaide J Posted August 30, 2020 Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) Hi BRD. I have recharged my A/C A few years ago with a standard hose with no gauge. Little tricky finding the right port. The hose will only fit on the port which you can charge the system. I put in the regular R 134 which you can get in the USA. It had a sealer in it and my A/C is still working great. I done this back around 2016. The other replies are correct that all the refill kits will fit on your system. That was on a 2009 451passion Edited August 30, 2020 by adelaide J Quote
brd Posted August 31, 2020 Posted August 31, 2020 4 hours ago, adelaide J said: Hi BRD. I have recharged my A/C A few years ago with a standard hose with no gauge. Little tricky finding the right port. The hose will only fit on the port which you can charge the system. I put in the regular R 134 which you can get in the USA. It had a sealer in it and my A/C is still working great. I done this back around 2016. The other replies are correct that all the refill kits will fit on your system. That was on a 2009 451passion Thanks for that info. Quote
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