How to Add Freon to a 2000 Blazer
by Richard Ristow
Even without significant leaks in the system, freon will eventually escape a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer's air conditioning system. This is an eventuality all vehicle owners must eventually confront. Normally, it is best to let certified mechanics deal with air conditioning repair, but recharging is simple and cheap enough, and anybody could do it from their home garage. Only a refill kit is needed, and they are widely sold in just about any place that sells automotive products. For a 2000 Chevy Blazer, R134a is the type of freon you will need.
Step 1
Assemble the R134a kit. The kit contains a canister, a hose, and valve. The hose attaches to the valve, and the valve screws onto the top of the R134a freon canister. Be careful to not screw the valve all the way, since that will puncture the seal and release the freon.
Step 2
Open the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer's hood and locate the aluminum air conditioning tubes. These tubes will have a low and high side port. Leave the high side port alone, as it has nothing to do with this task. Plus, the refill kit will not fit it anyway. Uncover the low side port and set the cap aside for later reuse. Fit the refilling kit's hose to the low side port.
Step 3
Place the refilling kit in a spot far away from belts, fans, or anything that will move while the engine is operating. Once you find a good spot, set the kit down and get behind the steering wheel.
Step 4
Start the engine and turn on the Blazer's A/C. Set the temperature to its lowest setting. Set the blower to its highest setting. Place a thermometer into an air conditioning vent, and watch the temperature drop. As soon as it reaches it's lowest point, remove the thermometer and go back to the refilling kit in the engine compartment.
Step 5
Turn the valve atop the R134a canister and release the freon. You will hear the freon rush out of the can, through the tube, and into the air conditioning's aluminum pipes. The noise made is not a cause for concern. If the can becomes too cold to handle, you can wrap the canister in a warm towel and/or wear thicker gloves.
Step 6
Unscrew the valve on top the can, but not all the way, the halt the flow of freon. This will allow you to watch the kit's gauges. Allow a minute for the system to stabilize, before adding another freon charge into the system.
Step 7
Watch the air conditioning's aluminum tubing. Once it is completely cold you are nearing completion. Place your thermometer into an A/C duct. The 2000 Chevrolet Blazer's operational temperature, for air conditioners at full tilt, is 40 degrees F.
Step 8
Turn off the valve at the top of the R134a recharging kit once the task reaches completion or the freon can becomes completely depleted. Remove the refilling kit's hose from the low side port and replace the port's cap. Shut the hood. Turn the A/C off, and then turn off the engine.
References
- "Chevrolet & GMC Pick-Ups: 1988 thru 1994"; Ken Fruend and John H Haynes; Haynes Publishing Group; 1994
- IDQ: Instructional Videos
Tips
- Store the left over freon in a place where the temperature remains the same level. Store it in an upright position, and leave the hose, gauge, and valve attached to the canister.
Things You'll Need
- Protective glasses
- R134a refill kit
- Thermometer
- Warm towel (optional)
Warnings
- Always wear a pair of gloves and safety glasses for this procedure. While refilling a 2000 Chevy Blazer's freon is not dangerous, you will still be dealing with a compressed gas, and all precautions should be taken.
- Never discharge left over freon into the atmosphere, even if R134a is more environmentally friendly then the older R12.
Writer Bio
Richard Ristow has written for journals, newspapers and websites since 2002. His work has appeared in "2009 Nebula Showcase" and elsewhere. He is a winner of the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling Award and he edits poetry for Belfire Press. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has managed an automotive department at WalMart.
