First time my 2010 Mazda 3i started to have A/C trouble was last summer in June 2025, & I live in AZ.
On my way to an vet appointment the A/C was blowing warm. After my appointment the A/C started to blow cold air but not like it use to. It was intermittent.
Tried to fix it w/ R-134a automotive A/C charging kit from a parts store w/ no success. I decided to take it to a local car repair.
I needed new tires also, & explained about using A/C charging kit from a parts store.
Before picking up the Mazda, I spoke w/ the repair shop on the phone & they said "There was no leak."
When I drove the car home it was blowing cold, but not like it use to.
I need to make an important NOTE: The date of the car repair shop invoice was 10/02/2025, and the car mileage 16,519.
Since then I have only driven the car for 231 miles. On 04/26/26 went Walmart & the A/C was blowing hot. I kept putting my hands on the driver side vents. I didn't realize
the passenger side was blowing cold, but not like it use to.
I reviewed the invoice & that's when I calculated the mileage. Simply put, I don't drive the car that much.
So I guess that means the Freon leaked out while sitting in my driveway?
The read the invoice over intensively & under the SERVICE - it writes "Evacuate and Recharge R134A Air Conditioning System.
Connect AC equipment, evacuate system of contaminates, verify system pressures, refrigerant levels and cooling vent temp. Charged AC system, install proper refrigerant & oil capacity. Leak test AC system. Refrigerant leak detection dye MAY be added to system.
Then next paragraph w/ three asterisks writes "Due to the nature of over-the-counter AC recharge kits, we reserve the right to refuse service to the AC, it's possible
a sealant has been introduced, if sealant is suspected it can cause damage to our equipment.
The bottom line is they NEVER tested for any leaks, right?" The labor charge was $194.98* and the AC refrigerant 134a shows 8 unit $2.00 / Unit $16.00 *S5
I checked the specification level under the hood for Refrigerant: HEC134a MAX 0.505 kg (1.113-lb) MIN 0.455 kg )1.003-lb). Any info or suggestions would be appreciated.
On my way to an vet appointment the A/C was blowing warm. After my appointment the A/C started to blow cold air but not like it use to. It was intermittent.
Tried to fix it w/ R-134a automotive A/C charging kit from a parts store w/ no success. I decided to take it to a local car repair.
I needed new tires also, & explained about using A/C charging kit from a parts store.
Before picking up the Mazda, I spoke w/ the repair shop on the phone & they said "There was no leak."
When I drove the car home it was blowing cold, but not like it use to.
I need to make an important NOTE: The date of the car repair shop invoice was 10/02/2025, and the car mileage 16,519.
Since then I have only driven the car for 231 miles. On 04/26/26 went Walmart & the A/C was blowing hot. I kept putting my hands on the driver side vents. I didn't realize
the passenger side was blowing cold, but not like it use to.
I reviewed the invoice & that's when I calculated the mileage. Simply put, I don't drive the car that much.
So I guess that means the Freon leaked out while sitting in my driveway?
The read the invoice over intensively & under the SERVICE - it writes "Evacuate and Recharge R134A Air Conditioning System.
Connect AC equipment, evacuate system of contaminates, verify system pressures, refrigerant levels and cooling vent temp. Charged AC system, install proper refrigerant & oil capacity. Leak test AC system. Refrigerant leak detection dye MAY be added to system.
Then next paragraph w/ three asterisks writes "Due to the nature of over-the-counter AC recharge kits, we reserve the right to refuse service to the AC, it's possible
a sealant has been introduced, if sealant is suspected it can cause damage to our equipment.
The bottom line is they NEVER tested for any leaks, right?" The labor charge was $194.98* and the AC refrigerant 134a shows 8 unit $2.00 / Unit $16.00 *S5
I checked the specification level under the hood for Refrigerant: HEC134a MAX 0.505 kg (1.113-lb) MIN 0.455 kg )1.003-lb). Any info or suggestions would be appreciated.
May 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
