A/c won't stay cold in '03 Saab 95 Aero

[DIY Diva]

I just purchased a 2003 95 Aero, 79k miles. LOVE IT !! However, on the 4 hr ride home in 98 deg weather, the a/c went from nice and cold to no cold at all. I bought a recharge can of 134 and charged it. Was nice and cold for 1 1/2 days and then gradually went back to not cold at all . Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[photousa]

I repaired my system by replacing it's two schrader valves. The parts themselves are like bicycle inner tube valves, they have a rubber seal on them and over time, they are prone to leaking. The part cost is only around $2 and is easy to change if you have the right tools. Chances are that whomever sold you the car, knew the system had a leak and charged up the ac system just before you arrived.....pretty low behavior, but typical when buying a used car.
"Mastercool" makes the tool that allows you to change your schrader valves while not losing any freon pressure, but it can be a costly tool set. Your best bet is to take it into an ac speciality shop, ask them to change your schrader valves, then put your ac system on a machine that will recycle your freon, then install the correct amount of freon and oil, which your system needs. The ac recharge this year cost me $85 and I put in my own schrader valves, so that cost nothing. My '03 blows cold and is holding up just fine once I replaced both of my schrader valves.

I would be sure to check your car over very closely, anyone who would dupe you by charging up an ac system, knowing it will leak out on you in a 1 to 4 hour time span, may have tried to mask other issues with the car....

[DIY Diva]

I repaired my system by replacing it's two schrader valves. The parts themselves are like bicycle inner tube valves, they have a rubber seal on them and over time, they are prone to leaking. The part cost is only around $2 and is easy to change if you have the right tools. Chances are that whomever sold you the car, knew the system had a leak and charged up the ac system just before you arrived.....pretty low behavior, but typical when buying a used car.
"Mastercool" makes the tool that allows you to change your schrader valves while not losing any freon pressure, but it can be a costly tool set. Your best bet is to take it into an ac speciality shop, ask them to change your schrader valves, then put your ac system on a machine that will recycle your freon, then install the correct amount of freon and oil, which your system needs. The ac recharge this year cost me $85 and I put in my own schrader valves, so that cost nothing. My '03 blows cold and is holding up just fine once I replaced both of my schrader valves.

I would be sure to check your car over very closely, anyone who would dupe you by charging up an ac system, knowing it will leak out on you in a 1 to 4 hour time span, may have tried to mask other issues with the car....

Thank you. I am going to attempt to change the shrader valves today and hope for the good results that you got!

[photousa]

Thank you. I am going to attempt to change the shrader valves today and hope for the good results that you got!

Be careful, the system is probably still under pressure...

[DIY Diva]

Be careful, the system is probably still under pressure...

As it turns out, the schrader valve on low port was loose. It required three turns to tighten. Hope it was really that easy. Thanks for your guidance!