Is Air Conditioning Service a Must?
 

My 94 Camry V-6 cools the compartment pretty well. It has never been serviced. It doesn't exactly blast cold air, but it is cold.

Should have it checked for Freon? And I understand that they have a method for extracting water from the coolant. Is that needed on a 17 year-old vehicle which is running well?

(Camry has only 120,000 miles on it).

Normally the only maintenance required is to operate the AC system 15 minutes per week, year round (if possible).

Typically the system does not have a moisture issue unless it is opened up or all the Freon is lost and air has a chance to enter.

Even though the system is supposed to be sealed it is possible for some Freon to leak out over a long time resulting in decreased cooling capacity. If too low the compressor will shut off, still it is best to keep the system Freon level within specs as this reduces compressor load.

My mechanic has refrigerant cannisters, so I can ask him to top up the system. Would a 1994 model use Freon or some other compound? And is that indicated somewhere, either on the compressor, the drier cannister, or the owner's manual?

In California's climate, we often have hot days around New Year, so the A/C is in action throughout the year.

The 94 is listed as using R132A.

The AC Freon high/low fittings are different for R12 and R132A. If R12 was used the R132A can fitting will not attach.

The fittings would indicate if R12 or R132A was used.

The mechanic would have a gauge to check the low side pressure. If too low Freon would be added until within spec again. Adding more Freon would not be unexpected after 17 years.

Understood. And thank goodness for those industry standards which pair off a fuel, coolant, refrigerant with an exclusive size valve fitting!

Can't tell you the number of pilots who've told me tales of ground personal putting diesel fuel into gasoline vehicles. And visa versa. A common problem in the military world.

Yes, and sometimes with disastrous results.