How Much Does it Cost to Remove Freon from a Car?

Last updated on January 13th, 2023 at 08:33 pm

For whatever reason, you decide to remove freon from your car air conditioning system, be it leakage or a faulty compressor, just know that the process is quite easy, with the right tools, but it requires following instructions thoroughly and carefully.

You can decide to do it at home or go to an auto repair shop, whatever option you choose to take is right. Please note that It is toxic to release freon into the air as it contains fluorocarbon that is harmful to the environment. Freon is another name for refrigerants.

How much does it cost to remove freon from a car? Well, car freon removal cost from $100 to $300 at an auto repair shop. Depending on the mechanic, the price differs. What is the Difference Between Dot3 and Dot4 Brake Fluid?

How to Remove Freon From Car Without a Recovery Machine

If you do not have a recovery machine, you can still recover freon. To do this you will have to condense the freon. All you need to do is to get a vacuum pump, HVAC manifold gauge with valves, hoses and couplers, and recovery tank with 1/4″ fitting, or you can use an empty cooking-gas tank. If you decide to use a cooking-gas tank, make sure it is empty then remove the original valve and screw in adapters, then a valve and a 1/4″ fitting. After getting all these, follow these steps to remove freon from your car without a recovery machine:

Evacuate the recovery tank, hoses, and vacuum pump of any air to avoid it getting mixed with the freon.
Ensure that the recovery tank is cold so that the freon can condense in it.
Ensure that the car is not on and that it is cool.
Make sure the low-pressure (blue) and the high-pressure (red) valves on the gauge and recovery tank are closed.
Connect the low-pressure (blue) hose to the low-pressure side of the system located at the back of the compressor, near the firewall, and the high-pressure (red) hose to the high-pressure side of the system located in front of the radiator between the firewall and the condenser.
Connect the service hose (yellow) to the vacuum pump, and then attach the vacuum pump line to the recovery tank.
Slowly open the valves on the gauge and recovery tank and monitor the pressure to ensure that it does not exceed the normal freon pressure of about 15psi. With this, the freon should be released into the recovery tank.
Once the low-pressure valve is empty, close the valves on the recovery tank.Overcharged Ac System Gauge Readings (How Do You Know If Your Car Ac Is Overcharged)

How to Remove Freon From Car With an AC Recovery Machine

The recovery machine is also called a reclaimer. Removing freon from your car with a recovery machine is as easy as A-B-C. You will need a recovery machine, recovery tank, HVAC manifold gauge, and an extra single hose.

To remove freon from the car with a recovery machine, following the steps below carefully.

Evacuate air from the recovery tank, hoses, and vacuum pump to avoid it getting mixed with the freon.
Make sure that the recovery tank is cold, and that the car is not on and is cool.
Turn off the low-pressure (blue) and the high-pressure (red) valves on the gauge and recovery tank.
Fasten the low-pressure (blue) hose to the low-pressure side of the system located at the back of the compressor, near the firewall, and the high-pressure (red) hose to the high-pressure side of the system located in front of the radiator between the firewall and the condenser.
Connect the service hose (yellow) to the suction line of the recovery machine labeled ‘IN’, ‘INPUT’, or ‘INLET’ (depends on the brand of the machine you are using).
Attach one end of the single hose to the discharge line of the recovery tank labeled ‘OUT’, ‘OUTPUT’ or ‘OUTLET’ (depends on the brand of the machine you are using), and the other end of the single hose to the recovery tank.
Open all the valves on the gauge and the recovery tank then turn on the recovery machine.
Once the valves are open, the freon will flow into the recovery tank. Watch the gauge to be sure that the freon doesn’t overfill the recovery tank.
When the recovery machine is 0psi on the low-pressure side of the recovery machine, the machine will automatically go off. This means that the freon has been completed removed from the car.
Close all valves, especially the one on the recovery tank.Do You Charge AC on The High or Low Side

When removing freon from a car, if the freon has not fully entered the recovery tank do not disconnect the hose to avoid releasing freon into the air.

Freon Removal Near Me Here in the US

Many auto mechanics specialize in freon removal near you in the US and getting one is not difficult at all, and even more, you can get one from the comfort of your home by just using your search engine. Just remember to include your exact location in the US, for example, ‘freon removal near me in Oklahoma’ and you’d see that a certified freon removal is just a stone throw away. Some mechanics offer home service and would include it on their page; if you don’t want to leave home then can have one come home to meet you.

How to Remove Freon from Car at Home

Having to remove freon at home would require a lot of patience and good equipment. To remove freon you are supposed to be licensed, because, according to the laws of the United States, freon is not supposed to be released into the atmosphere but into a recovery container as it is harmful to the environment.

When removing freon at home, ensure to follow the instructions step-by-step, as taking shortcuts may harm both you and your car, and even worse, you can release freon into the air. When removing freon at home, consider safety first by ensuring that you have on your safety goggles and gloves.

However, in many areas, removing freon from a car without being certified is a crime according to the law. Find out if your area is one of such areas to avoid committing a crime.