This procedure covers evacuating, leak testing, and recharging the AC system with R-134a refrigerant on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• R-134a refrigerant × 1 — 16-18 oz total system capacity
• PAG 46 compressor oil × 1 — ND-11 or equivalent PAG 46
• UV dye (optional) × 1 — Compatible with R-134a systems

Preparation

1. Park vehicle in well-ventilated area and apply parking brake
2. Engine should be off and cool before beginning
3. Visually inspect AC system for obvious leaks, damaged hoses, or oil residue
4. Locate low-side service port (larger port, on suction line near accumulator) and high-side service port (smaller port, on liquid line near condenser)
5. Remove dust caps from both service ports
6. Ensure AC manifold gauges are in good condition with hoses rated for R-134a

Procedure

1. 1

   Connect recovery machine and evacuate existing refrigerant
   Connect the AC recovery machine to both service ports using proper adapters. Follow recovery machine instructions to safely evacuate any remaining refrigerant from the system. Record the amount of refrigerant and oil recovered - this indicates system health and helps determine oil replacement needs. If significantly low, inspect for leaks before recharging.
2. 2

   Connect manifold gauge set
   Attach the blue (low-side) hose to the low-side service port and the red (high-side) hose to the high-side service port. Ensure connections are tight and secure. Leave the yellow center hose disconnected for now. Open both manifold valves briefly to purge air from the hoses, then close them.
3. 3

   Perform vacuum test
   Connect the yellow center hose to the vacuum pump. Open both manifold valves and start the vacuum pump. Pull vacuum to at least 29 inches Hg (750 mmHg) and maintain for minimum 30-45 minutes. This removes moisture and air from the system. Close both manifold valves and turn off vacuum pump. Monitor gauges for 10 minutes - vacuum should hold steady. If vacuum drops more than 2 inches Hg, system has a leak that must be repaired before proceeding.
   ⚠Moisture in the AC system will freeze at the expansion valve and damage components. Adequate vacuum time is critical.
4. 4

   Add PAG oil if needed
   Calculate oil replacement: if more than 3 oz of oil was recovered, add the same amount back. If uncertain or less than 1 oz recovered, add 2-3 oz of ND-11 PAG 46 oil. Add oil through the low-side port using an oil injector tool while system is under vacuum, or add directly to the charging cylinder/scale before refrigerant.
5. 5

   Prepare refrigerant charge
   Disconnect vacuum pump from yellow hose. Connect yellow hose to R-134a refrigerant source (charging cylinder on scale or individual cans). The system requires 16-18 oz (450-510 grams) of R-134a total. If using a scale, measure exact amount. If using cans, prepare one full 12 oz can plus a partial second can. Add UV dye to refrigerant source if desired for future leak detection.
6. 6

   Charge refrigerant into low side
   Open the refrigerant container valve briefly to purge air from the yellow hose, then close. With engine OFF, open the low-side (blue) manifold valve only - never charge into high side with engine off. Allow refrigerant to flow into system until pressure equalizes (approximately 8-12 oz). Keep refrigerant container upright to charge as vapor. Monitor low-side gauge.
7. 7

   Start engine and complete charge
   Start engine and set AC to MAX cooling, recirculation mode, fan on HIGH. Engine speed should be approximately 1500 RPM. Continue adding refrigerant through low side only, monitoring both gauges. Low-side pressure should stabilize at 25-40 PSI and high-side at 200-250 PSI (varies with ambient temperature). Add refrigerant in small increments until total system charge of 16-18 oz is reached. Do not exceed 18 oz.
   ⚠Only charge through the LOW side port when engine is running. Charging through high side can cause compressor damage.
8. 8

   Verify system operation
   With system running at 1500 RPM, verify: Low-side gauge reads 25-40 PSI, high-side gauge reads 200-250 PSI (at 75-85°F ambient), compressor cycles on and remains engaged, center vent temperature is 38-45°F (measured with thermometer), and liquid line feels warm while suction line feels cold. Allow system to run for 5-10 minutes to stabilize.
9. 9

   Disconnect equipment
   Turn off AC and engine. Close refrigerant container valve. Quickly disconnect manifold hoses from service ports starting with low side - minimal refrigerant loss is normal during disconnect. Immediately reinstall dust caps on both service ports to prevent moisture entry and system contamination.

Reassembly

1. Ensure both service port dust caps are securely installed
2. Store manifold gauge set with valves closed and hoses coiled properly
3. Label system with date of service and amount of refrigerant added if desired

Verification

• Start engine and run AC on MAX for 5 minutes
• Verify center vent temperature is 38-45°F with ambient temperature of 75-85°F
• Confirm compressor clutch engages and remains engaged during operation
• Check that low-side pressure is 25-40 PSI and high-side is 200-250 PSI at idle (pressures increase with higher ambient temperatures)
• Listen for unusual noises from compressor or blower motor
• Verify no refrigerant smell or oil leaks around service ports and connections
• Test AC performance during short test drive under various loads

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