I would pick Artic Freeze because it says "new and improved" instead of just "new" like Glacier Ice does. Duh, come on. Oh, and by the way...
Here are two threads I would recommend you look at. The three big links in the second thread are still working (as of now, just checked... highly recommended reading):
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...rt=all&vc=1
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...rt=all&vc=1
Alright, why don't I just post them (thanks TheTanSedan and Vikas for the links):
http://www.macsw.org/pdf/PM.pdf
http://www.macsw.org/pdf/MACS Service.pdf
http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/042005_04.html
I promise I'll try not to ramble, but here are some opinions to consider from one semi-literate internet guy who read through the above articles and threads:
1) The R-134a charge tolerance for a lot of cars as specified by the manufacturer is very small; within fractions of an ounce for some. The total amount of refrigerant required for the entire system in some cars is less than what those DIY kits contain. It's not likely you're going to get an "accurate" (as specified by the manufacturer) fill using a DIY kit; it is likely that you will be overshooting or undershooting to any given degree, in which case you'll get what you get. Using the PSI gauge (the one that comes with the kit) in isolation as the way to measure your refrigerant charge will likely not be functional if your goal is to refill the system to the level specified by the manufacturer.
2) There is also the possibility that your air conditioner's presently unacceptable performance is due to more than the system simply being undercharged (though an incorrect charge could contribute to other problems which are now not able to be removed or lessened simply by correcting the charge), which is something to consider whether your goal is to restore your system to manufacturer specifications or just increase your chances of squeezing some cold air out of your jalopy for a while. The second article above lists at least 10 things aside from a low charge that you could point your finger at. If the system is not performing well, I would not automatically assume the system is undercharged unless the car is very old and has never been serviced (as it will likely have lost some refrigerant over the years through leaks, which at this point is fairly common with "older" cars) and even then, this is no guarantee that the charge level is the only thing wrong or that simply replacing the lost refrigerant (if you could even gauge this accurately) will improve the performance of the air conditioner to a degree you find satisfactory at the cost of the time/effort/compromise involved. If you can functionally predict that the benefits of satiating your curiosity (along with whatever other benefits you are likely to acquire) outweighs the damages you are likely to acquire over whatever period of time is meaningful (or something like that that rings with the same tone), knock yourself out. Use whatever methods are functional for you in obtaining/maintaining/completing whatever your system of goals happens to be (little known fact: if you say that, it makes it come true). If you are happy in the end (whatever "end" is for you), that's all that matters. See?
"It's-such-a-good... feeling... a very good feeling... to know you're alive, it's-such-a-happy-feeling..."
At least what I feel are "generically generic" elements I can list which I would pay close attention to if I had already decided to use one of these kits (as opposed to elements I would pay close attention to if I were deciding whether I wanted to use one of these kits in the first place)... luck is not always on your side, and this is by no means "objectively" comprehensive in any fashion... it's my guesses:
1) ambient/engine bay temperatures during the DIY event (hot, had you been driving recently, etc.)
2) status of the air conditioning system prior to the DIY event (had it been running recently, how well, what settings, etc.)
3) how fast the refrigerant/oil is being introduced
4) how much refrigerant/oil is being introduced
5) the status of your engine and air conditioner during the DIY event (running or not, what settings, etc.)
6) the relationship between how much and how fast you are introducing refrigerant into the system and the temperature of the air coming out of the vents
7) the relationship between how much and how fast you are introducing refrigerant into the system and the temperatures of the accumulator and evaporator inlet pipes
Ok, so I rambled, but I don't apologize. Happy tinkering.
Quote:
*BITOG multiple choice questionnaire* (pick the BEST answer, each question worth 5 quarts)
1) Julian is trying to:
A) Wind down
B) Utilize expressive functions to manage his hierarchy of values
C) Convince The Critic he should not use a DIY kit on his car
D) Inform The Critic about how he can use a DIY kit on his car the most effectively
E) Impress everyone with a wordy dialogue
F) Alienate others by demanding more effort than they are willing to give
G) None of the above
2) Julian is assuming:
A) The Critic was unaware of the information previously posted
B) The Critic was aware of the information previously posted
C) The Critic is a cheapskate
D) Anyone has read this
E) Reasonable people will not think his tone is inappropriate
F) People will think he is joking or only select humorous responses
G) None of the above
Score: _______
