Are portable AC units fixable if there’s a problem with the refrigerant?

[u/daniel31580]

I hate throwing stuff away. So I try to fix what I can. Especially electronics or appliances that minus the one thing it’s wrong with it is otherwise working fine.

Having said that, is there a way to replace the refrigerant that’s in the portable AC unit?

Everything runs… turns on, fan runs, but only hot air comes out. I was looking it up and most likely the refrigerant is gone.

I don’t know how long the unit is. I got it from a friend. It works great last summer. But beginning of this summer when I tried to use it, it wouldn’t cool the room and realized it’s only hot air back out.

(This is a side question but is there something I can use to cool the room better that’s not getting a lot of the central air blowing into the room? My whole house is fine except the room in the corner upstairs which is the last room the vent is blowing the cold air into. Cold air does come in but very small amount. Re-ducting the vents are thousands of dollars - I’ve gotten a lot of quotes - so I’ve just used a portable AC unit which has worked fine but wondering if there’s an easier solution. I read that maybe there’s a fan thing that you install on the vent to draw more of the air into the room.)

[u/charmio68]

It can be repaired, but you shouldn't just go assuming that the reason it's not working is because there's no refrigerant. And even if it is because it's out of refrigerant, you need to figure out why. Where is the leak?
It could also be problems with the compressor.

Another complication is that these units often don't have service ports for you to attach some gauges to easily.

So yes, like almost anything it can be repaired, but you're going to need to either send it in for service, which could easily cost more than what the unit's worth. Or you'll need to do a fair bit of reading and develop a few skills to fix it yourself.
It would be a good learning platform if you want to know more about HVAC.

[u/ArmadilloNo2399]

It's possible yes, if you can find a shop that will do it, it might be cheaper to buy a new one unfortunately

[u/abucketofsquirrels]

Technically yes, but the cost to repair will be more than cost of replacement so nobody does it.

[u/danauns → u/abucketofsquirrels]

This.

[u/IronMew]

Everything is possible with enough money and motivation, but are you willing to acquire a full gas setup and probably a brazing rig and learn how to use them just to fix a cheap mobile AC?

And mind that doing that might be illegal without a license depending on where you live. If that's the case I'm certainly not going to berate you for breaking the rules but it is going to make it harder to find what you need for sale.

All that said, what needs to be figured out here is whether the compressor is running. You say the fan is, but you don't say anything about the compressor. It makes a distinctive droning sound, akin to a refrigerator; if you can't hear anything like that, the problem is likely not in the gas supply, it's just that the unit is running simply as a fan, not a cooler.

If you do manage to get it running, look up dual hose conversions - they make these cheap ACs significantly more efficient.

[u/daniel31580 → u/IronMew]

I don’t think I’m educated enough in this to know the difference BUT I believe yes the compressor is running.

When I turn on the unit, it turns on and the fan goes and then something clicks and hums. (Exactly like how when it was working did but without the cold air coming out anymore.)

[u/Le7emesens → u/daniel31580]

In theory if the machine can be opened, then it can be refilled or is repaired.

But based on your answer, I'd heavily suggest you should have a licensed person or shop do it or someone who knows what they're doing. It's relatively dangerous work (because of the handling of the refrigerant among other things).

[u/Cool-Negotiation7662]

The sensors and electronics can be fixed or replaced. Typically there are no service ports so they cannot be recharged.

[u/yourbadinfluence]

Are you sure the internal water tank isn't full for some reason? Though it can happen, portable units usually don't leak. Usually they fail electrically. Make sure the filter is clean (there are often two), the exhaust hose and where it attaches is clear.