Prius 2009 Hybrid

It sounds like the car has a small freon leak somewhere. It could be very expensive or it could be a reasonable cost to have it fixed. Locate an auto service center that specializes in AC repair and take it there for diagnostics.

 

Also check the cabin air filter (behind the glove box).

 

I re-top off with AC PRO every couple years. Anybody can do it after watching the Chris Fix video. It's not a proper solution, but millions of car owners can't be wrong.

 

If you're topping off every few years that's about normal if you look up the leaks that are allowed by the federal government governing bodies of that kind of nonsense . That would be about right very lil Allowed out per year. Two or three years is enough to show up on the sight glass you add and clear it up and keep getting it perfect.

 

If you locate the leak to the evaporator that's the part inside the car that's pretty much game over or you're doing a $3,000 job in the carport . I retire those to fall winter cars. I also haven't had to do that yet so I don't have any fall and winter only cars so maybe an outlier issue as they go. Don't know . None the 5 I've owned have had no evaporators. So far all over 330K now

 

i'm sorry to hear that your first car is a 16 year old hybrid with 163k, and giving you trouble, if you cannot diy.
if there is any possibility, before something else goes wrong, try to sell it and buy a non hybrid that most anyone can repair

 

A leaking A/C is a pretty common problem on all types of old cars, and having the leak in the evaporator is fairly common too.

 

Doesn't have to be the evaporator, either. Leaks can develop anywhere along the line, at fittings, gaskets, etc., etc. Have a mechanic put dye in the refrigerant to see where the leaks are, then proceed accordingly. Perform a vacuum test to see whether the line holds a vacuum or leaks out. I had this work done on my '02 about 3-4 years ago and it fixed the problem with the A/C. Now I get 47º air at the center outlet, sufficient to keep the interior cool on the hottest days. Still get the flashing light occasionally, probably due to clutch clearance exceeding spec, and there was a time when I would attempt a DIY repair, but no longer! When the A/C and Max A/C lights flash, I push both buttons simultaneously and the system instantly resets, and voila! cool air again. Not a permanent fix, of course, but it's an easy way to avoid spending maybe a couple of bills to have the dealer shim the clutch. Probably I'm just postponing the inevitable....

 

If it was recharged in May and needs it again in July there is a big leak. I would find the leak first before spending money for refrigerant that may be gone in a few weeks.

There is no ac clutch in a gen2 Prius as the compressor is a variable speed three phase electric driven unit.

When it comes to diy refrigerant top offs on a Prius it is essential that the R134 has no refrigerant oil or stop leak since these high voltage electric compressors can be damaged by the wrong oil or stop leak.

Ideally for cold air, one should pull a vacuum on the system and properly weigh in the refrigerant. The vacuum ensures no air or moisture is in the system, it is a sure test for a leak and weighing it in makes filling these variable speed systems much easier.

A good auto ac shop with hybrid ac experience will have a high dollar refrigerant leak detector or will inject uv dye to find the leak. Since there is no ac clutch or exposed shaft the compressor is rarely the leak point. However the ac condenser in front of the radiator can leak due to rock damage or due to a front end fender bender. Sometimes an experienced tech can spot refrigerant oil that has escaped from the leak point. The evaporator under the dash is also known to leak.

Find a good shop and have it leak checked.

 

Yes there is a clutch in the gen.1 A/C compressor. The later generations have the electrically-driven compressor, but the gen. 1 works off of the serpentine belt. OP's original post came up in my gen.1 feed on the site, but obviously OP has a gen.2 (2009, according to profile).

 

Yes a 2009 as listed in the title.

 

Gen 1 belt like Corolla . Gen2 electric orange wires going to AC compressor.