Here I am again guys - I feel like my car is falling apart! Lol

My A/C'* temperature on hot days is just not cutting it - many times I would be better off with the windows down. On somewhat cooler days, it cools decently although many times it will blow warm, then blow cold, then blow warm, etc..

I called around to see how much it would cost some mechanics to check the Freon and fill it if necessary, and most places charge at least $70 just to check it, and some even quoted be around $150-200 to completely refill it.

I was under the impression that this was something that does not take a rocket scientist to do - they sell kits in Wal-Mart for God'* sake. Is this something I can do myself and save some money in the process? What type of Freon/coolant do I need for my year/make/model?

Thanks again all!

Also, I know this is completely unrelated, but how much does a full front-end and back-end alignment usually cost? I was quoted ~$80 and I just thought that was kind of high.

Its called Century Syndrome. It involves all sorts of little bugs and problems that aren't bad enough to be a problem, but can be annoying. lol

As for your quotes, I can't help you there.. I've never had to have either done.. but I am having the same trouble with my a/c. Its nowhere near as cold as my ranger used to be, and its 2 years newer.

If you have a bjs wholesale I just got two big cans of 134 with the gauge for 30. You can check the low side pressure with the gauge 40ish if its 80 outside Windows down ac cranked

The reason that they charge that amount, is that in order to ensure that the system is properly charged, they must evacuate all refrigerant from the system, ensure it holds a vacuum for a reasonable time (30 mins usually) and then charge it with the correct weight of refrigerant and oil. Then they check the pressures, and see how everything is running then.

They don't just stick the gauges on the system and add as necessary, at least they shouldn't.

theres nothing wrong with putting the gauges on first to see if thats even the problem

I just cannot drop that type of money into it when I seriously doubt that it is even an issue - I just think it is low on refrigerant. I doubt it has ever been topped off since it was made back in 1999.

And while you may be correct, I was simply explaining why many places were giving you the quotes you were getting. My recommendation is to get you a full gauge set (ballpark $50, harbor freight has a nice set usually) and service it yourself, given the assumption you know the basics in air conditioning dynamics. If you don't, it isn't rocket science, and should be easy to pick up.

Forgive me if I came off as disrespectful - I really did not mean it that way

I plan on picking up some R134A and a gauge kit and do it myself. I have read enough manuals and DIY guides to know what I am looking at now.

Thanks all! I will update the thread with how it goes.