How to Use a Snap-on AC Machine

Snap-on tools' range of air conditioning (AC) R-134 coolant recharging, evacuation and recovery machines are relatively easy to operate. Because the process of evacuating and recharging R-134 air conditioning coolant involves little more than connecting the proper hoses to the right places, using a Snap-on system isn't dissimilar to using systems produced by other shop tool manufacturers. Air conditioning work on a vehicle should only be done by a certified mechanic.

1. Open the hood of the car on which you will be working and look for the air conditioning compressor and the air conditioning receiver

Open the hood of the car on which you will be working and look for the air conditioning compressor and the air conditioning receiver. Between these, you will see the aluminum pipes that transfer the R-134 between the systems. On the air conditioning receiver, you will see a black cap approximately 3/4 inches in diameter. Nearby, on one of the aluminum tubes, you will see a second cap. This is where the lines for the air conditioning machine connect to the car.

2. Plug the Snap-on air conditioning machine into a grounded wall outlet

Plug the Snap-on air conditioning machine into a grounded wall outlet. You will notice two gauges on the machine.The gauge marked "HP" is used to determine the pressure of the high pressure side of the system and the "LP" gauge shows the pressure in the low pressure side of the system. These are primarily diagnostic gauges used to check that the system charged to the right specifications.

3. Start the vehicle and run the air conditioning system on high for a few minutes

Start the vehicle and run the air conditioning system on high for a few minutes. This will pressurize the vehicle's air conditioning system.

4. Shut off the car's engine and plug the air conditioning coolant lines from the Snap-on machine into the fittings

Shut off the car's engine and plug the air conditioning coolant lines from the Snap-on machine into the fittings under the black caps you found on the air conditioning system. The two valves under the caps are different sizes from one another and correspond to the coolant recovery system lines running from the Snap-on system.

5. Scroll through the Snap-on AC machine's database of vehicles or enter the vehicle's year

Scroll through the Snap-on AC machine's database of vehicles or enter the vehicle's year, make and model by following the instructions on the machine's digital readout. Next, select what you need to do to the vehicle, recharge the AC system or evacuate it for service.

6. Press the "Start" button on the unit

Press the "Start" button on the unit. The Snap-on machine will automatically stop the procedure when it has reached the parameters loaded into its memory for the vehicle being serviced. Once the AC system has been fully charged or evacuated, disconnect the lines leading from the machine to the vehicle.

Tip

Read through the instruction manual carefully for the machine before attempting to use it.

Video: USING SNAP ON POLARTEK AC MACHINE. THINGS NEVER GO ACCORDING TO PLAN!

Helpful comments on this video:

• Very nice machine Mike and you'll love it when you work on a/c systems. I bought a Robinair 34788Ni Premier back in 2017 and having a unit such as yours will save you a lot of time. Keep up the good work and have a great day!
• A friend asked me about using them AC recharge cans , I said take it to a shop and get it serviced right , much better to spend the extra . Well my advice was free and totally ignored. Buddy bought a recharge can , followed the directions and it's still blowing warm air so guess who comes back to ask for advice LOL So now he goes to my friends shop to get it fixed and explains how his diy AC recharge didn't fix it . My friend tests the system and says he won't work on his AC because theirs AC sealant in the system so take it elsewhere HAHAHA. Sometimes the cheap option works and sometimes the cheap option is the most expensive. Nice AC machine Mike , it's most likely worth the drive to PA for me if my AC needs servicing :)