Do you have to drain coolant from the car before you add more for the air condition to work properly?

Question

My car has a little bit of coolant and my air condition works for a little then blows out hot air. I looked in the coolant compartment and it was almost empty. I want to put more in but i read a container of coolant and it said to drain all coolant out first.

Answer 1

Coolant is for the engine. Refrigerant is for the A/C system. If your unspecified vehicle is blowing hot air (something I have been accused of, from time to time) at higher RPM, have the fan and compressor checked.

If your unspecified vehicle is a 1995 or newer, it is a fair bet that it uses R134a refrigerant (check under the hood, there should be a sticker identifying the type). If that is the case do NOT, repeat, do NOT recharge with R12(commonly known as Freon). The two systems are incompatable.

Have your unspecified vehicle inspected by a qualified technician

Answer 2

You should not drain the coolant out of your car unless for some reason you need to replace the radiator, the water pump, or the coolant hoses, or if you need to flush rusty or otherwise contaminated coolant out of the system and refill it. There is no coolant in your air conditioner system. There is, however, refrigerant. That refrigerant can be R-12 or R-134A. If it's low or empty, the air conditioner system will not work. The cooling system of your car and the air conditioning system of your car are two independent systems. Working on one of them should not involve working on the other. In fact, normally the only part they share is a drive belt. If your car indeed has only a little bit of coolant, you will be overheating on your next trip and you will likely damage your engine if you continue to drive it that way. I would strongly suggest that you buy a repair manual like fom Chilton or Clymer specific to your car and learn all the terminology of automobiles, because if you don't, you are going to be rapidly separated from your money by mechanics that will absolutely use your lack of automotive knowledge to their benefit. Simply put, they will tell you anything and you will believe it.

Answer 3

While yes, it is a good idea to drain the old coolant before adding new, it is not a must. Draining the old coolant will rid the system of rust and contaminants. It will not remove all debris, but it will help. As for adding the refrigerant to your AC system: You can go to most auto parts stores and buy a refill kit. IT may ultimately be more cost effective to have this professionally done. They will check your entire system for leaks as well as give some kind of warranty on the charge. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

first of all the answer is no. How ever the coolant level should be filled up as to protect the engine. buying a kit at the auto parts store is the most idealistic thing to do. how ever, the year of the vehicle is a major factor as to the type of refrigerant to buy. this is a MUST QUESTION TO ASK the service personal at the auto parts store. By going to a center where they install the refrigerant is costly, you are getting the entire system checked out, plus a warranty. the old refrigerant if the car is older, may have to be removed, and disposed of properly by the technicians. Take it in, be safe.

Answer 5

It's a good ideal to drain the old coolant and replace with all new stuff, you A/C is a whole separate system, it contains gas not coolant it sound like you need a recharge for the A/C, also don't run the A/C if it does that you'll burn the compressor.

Answer 6

Allright lets get one thing straight,let someone who knows about cars deal with it.Not a mechcanic just someone a little more knowledgeable.Your "container of coolant "is talking about your radiator which has nothing to do with your air conditioning.Your radiator cools your engine and your air conditioner cools you.If you have a r12 system (your air conditioner)than there is little you can do besides a retrofit to r134a (a different refridgerent that better soots the environment)from your local auto parts.never the less if that resivor beside the radiator is below the max level than add a 50/50 mix of distilled water and antifreeze(container of coolant).Still it sounds like a compressor problem maybe a compressor clutch

Answer 7

You shouldnt have to drain the coolant but you should add enough so it will top out at the "Max" line..the a/c probably needs "recharged" wich you can buy a recharge kit at your local auto parts store. it will have its own seperate place to refill (recharge) your a/c refrigerant

Answer 8

yeah like everyone else said 2 different systems..... if you ac isnt working right it may need to be charged or even replaced if it is still the older r-12 get it checked out by a parts store theyll sell you the kit you need shoulnt be much not too expensive to have it converted

Answer 9

what does coolent have to do with your air conditioner ? Coolent is to cool the engon and run the heater in the winter. But if you are low on coolent , your motor will over heat.