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Ford Mustang V6 2005-2014: How to Recharge A/C

Adding refrigerant to your A/C used to be a pain, but thanks to new technologies, it's something that you can easily do yourself. This article will show you how.

By Jared Hammond - October 21, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 (2005-2014).

Have you ever noticed that your A/C doesn't seem to blow cold air like it used to? That may be because your A/C system is low on refrigerant. This can be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. Before you try to recharge your A/C system, you should find and fix the leak. Fixing a leak in the A/C is difficult and often requires evacuating the system to replace the leaky component. For that, you'll need to take your car in to a dealership because they have the equipment for it. However, if you're just looking for a quick recharge of the system the steps below will show you what you need to do.

Materials Needed

  • Can of R134a refrigerant with pressure gauge and dispenser
  • Manifold gauge set (optional)
  • Refrigerant with dye and U.V. light (optional)

Look for the can with the small gauge and hose attached. If you're looking for a more accurate pressure reading, you'll need a manifold gauge set. If you're looking for leaks in the system, you can also purchase refrigerant with a dye mixed in. After letting the A/C run for a while, you can check around the system with a U.V. light to look for where the dye leaked out. Typically, leaks form around the compressor and the high as well as low pressure valves.

Figure 1. Can of R134a with hose and gauge attached.

Step 1 – Connect recharge kit to low pressure valve

Have the car on and the A/C running at the highest setting. Look for the low pressure valve; it will be located on the driver's side towards the back, near the firewall. Unscrew the plastic cap and attach your refrigerant hose to the valve. Most kits come with a quick connector that just snaps onto the valve.

  • Figure 2. Remove the low pressure valve cap.
  • Figure 3. Attach your recharge kit to the low pressure valve.

Step 2 – Insert refrigerant

Adjust your pressure gauge to the outside temperature. Pull on the release to let refrigerant be drawn into the system. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge. You'll see the pressure change whenever the clutch on the compressor engages. Don't worry, that's normal. If you're only adding to the system, you probably won't need to use the whole can. Keep adding refrigerant into the system until the pressure gauge indicates that the system is fully charged. Check inside your cabin. If the A/C is blowing colder air, then you're ready to stop.

Figure 4. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge.

When finished, shut off the engine, disconnect the recharge kit and return the cap to the low pressure valve.

Pro Tip

Be careful not to add too much refrigerant. An overcharged system could damage the compressor and cause additional leaks.

Featured Video: Recharging A/C in 2003 Ford Mustang

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