So, 2020 is (finally!) in the rear view mirror and the year ahead is an open road, waiting to be travelled. We know you’ve got big plans for 2021….and if you keep up with these “Vehicle Resolutions” you can be
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—2711 Nitrogen Flush Kit
Nitrogen is a dry, inert gas with multiple uses within the automotive A/C industry. Nitrogen flushing is the process by which unwanted gases and contaminants are eliminated from the A/C system using nitrogen gas instead of chemicals. The FJC Nitrogen
Compressor OE Lubricant Interchange
FJC carries PAG, POE, Zerol and mineral oils in a variety of viscosities to service every type of automotive air conditioning system. Choosing the correct lubricant for your Air Conditioning system can be confusing. We always recommend that you check
Service Maintenance Parts Kits and Assortments
O-rings, gaskets, sealing washers, caps, keyways, shims, fittings, valve cores, orifice tubes and other service items are the lifeblood of every A/C Service Technician. These are the small parts and pieces a tech reaches for over and over throughout the
FJC – 2021 New and Innovative Products for the Automotive Aftermarket Air Conditioning Market
As always, FJC is on the forefront of many exciting innovations in the automotive aftermarket air conditioning market. We have integrated the ideas of the most forward-thinking people in our industry to create new products, and improve existing products, to
FJC’s 2021 Catalog Makes its Debut
One thing we frequently hear from our customers is that a physical printed catalog really sets FJC apart from the competition. This physical, tangible resource becomes a permanent part of their business. They like having a copy or two on
R-1234yf Refrigerant and the Environment
Pollution is the introduction of substances which cause adverse changes in the environment or living organisms. We’re all familiar with contaminated waterways, improper waste disposal, and noise and light pollution. We are going to focus on the role refrigerants play
FJC’s Fall Promo Going on RIGHT NOW! (EXPIRED 12/31/20)
As we head into the cold fall and winter months, FJC is offering exceptional deals, prices and terms on our Service Tools and Equipment, Engine Cooling Tools and Kits, Battery Testers, Tools, Inverters, Booster Cables , Retail Displays—AND MORE!! Below
Polar Ice 12 oz R-134a PLUS Additives with Dispensing Tops
FJC is delighted to report that in response to overwhelming demand from the DIY market, we are introducing a new line of all-in-one, no tools required, R-134a plus additives. This innovative- product line features an ease-of-use dispensing cap which makes
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—Pro-Series Service Item Assortment
There’s a reason we call our #4400 Pro-Series Service Item Assortment the ULTIMATE Assortment for A/C Specialists, and that’s because this deluxe kit contains all your shop’s requirements of O-rings, gaskets, sealing washers, keyways, shims, fittings, caps, orifice tubes, etc.
FJC Automotive A/C Market Watch 2021
At FJC we are monitoring a trend in the automotive air conditioning aftermarket towards the professional tech, as opposed to the DIYer. Some reasons for this change are: Complexity of newer vehicles and A/C systems Time Management—car owners don’t work
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET for R-134a (1,1,1,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE CF3-CH2F)
GUARANTEED COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS MAIN APPLICATIONS R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) which can be used for domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration as well as air conditioning, fluid cooling, and heat pump applications. R-134a is the refrigerant of choice of many automotive
Using Automotive A/C Q & A
(1) Is it bad to run an automotive air conditioner when it’s cold out? Running the a/c in the winter months does not cause any harm to the car’s heating and cooling system. In fact, there are many benefits to running
Do I need to Routinely Change my Automotive Serpentine (Drive) Belt?
It’s easy to assume your automotive A/C is performing poorly due to a compressor failure, however, it’s quite possible the culprit might be your belt. It’s good practice to first check your entire drive system for wear and proper tenson
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—KWIK SEAL Air Conditioning Stop Leak & Conditioners
If you have noticed a sudden change in your A/C output, you may have a leak in a metal component. These leaks can be caused by accidents or other damage, or corrosion from moisture in the system. These type of
Automotive Refrigerant Pressure/Temperature Chart
LMK2020
ELECTRIC/HYBRID VEHICLE MUST READ: Your A/C system is VERY Different
As electric and hybrid vehicles continue to gain in popularity, we have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries regarding OEM requirements, safety precautions and general procedures regarding the A/C evacuation, recycling, and charging procedures on these vehicles. In 2020,
Importance of Checking and Changing Vacuum Pump oil
It’s a question we hear all the time at FJC. “Do I REALLY need to change my vacuum pump oil?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes—for the sake of your vacuum pump AND your system!” Vacuum pump oil is a
Putting Extreme Cold® Performance-Boosting Refrigerant Additive to the Test
An inexpensive way to potentially increase the cooling properties of automotive A/C systems is through the addition of performance-boosting refrigerant additives. But, do they really work? Performance additives, like FJC’s Extreme Cold® circulate through the A/C system and increase the
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—43664—DELUXE RADIATOR AND RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE TEST KIT WITH AIR LIFT
FJC Power Division offers an incredible line of radiator and cooling system pressure test and refill kits to help you find internal and external leaks in your cooling system and test radiator caps for proper operation. Today we will focus
When Should I Change my A/C Filter?
An A/C filter, or cabin air filter, is a simple but important element of a mobile A/C system. The filter helps maintain air quality within the vehicle cabin. It does this by removing contaminants such as dust, dirt, smoke, pollen,
Is it Normal for my Car’s A/C to Freeze Up?
No. No, it’s not. A properly functioning vehicle air conditioning system is absolutely crucial to maintaining a cool and comfortable interior cabin, especially during the heat of summer. That’s why when things start to go wrong, we are so impatient
Sealing leaks in Automotive A/C
Under normal conditions you should never have to recharge you automotive A/C with refrigerant. The system is, after all, a closed loop through which the refrigerant flows ad infinitum. So what does it mean if your system starts blowing warm
20 “Must Have” Items to Help Grow Your HEAVY DUTY Business
When you’re in need of heavy-duty air conditioning products, tools, equipment and refrigerant, think FJC HD! FJC is committed to supporting and advancing the commercial vehicle industry. To that end, we carry an extensive inventory of A/C products, tools, equipment
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—5109 Nitrogen/Hydrogen Gas Electronic Leak Detection System
Due to the high cost of R-1234yf refrigerant, FJC recommends checking for leaks in yf systems with a Nitrogen/Hydrogen gas electronic leak detection system. Using hydrogen/nitrogen as your tracer gas provides a significant cost savings over R-1234yf or helium while
How to Vacuum an Automotive A/C
When a mobile A/C system needs to be repaired, the first step taken is usually to recover the refrigerant from the system for reuse later. An A/C vacuum pump is used to remove unwanted air and water vapor when it
What Can Cause a Rattle in Automotive A/C?
Hot temperatures outside generally means cranking up your car’s A/C, but what if you do that and a rattling noise accompanies the cool flowing air? Hearing any sort of rattling noise from your car can cause stress and concern. A
Is it OK to Run the A/C While the Heater is On?
It may seem counter-intuitive to run your mobile A/C when the weather’s cool, or even freezing, however running the A/C in the winter not only does not do any harm to your heating/cooling system, it may in fact, offer benefits.
R-1234yf Parts
LMK 2020
OEM vs Aftermarket Car Parts
With automotive air conditioning, as with all automotive repairs, when you need repairs you generally have two costs: parts and labor. Generally the labor cost is a constant—either you do the repairs yourself, incurring no labor costs, or you hire
Should I Choose a Brass or Aluminum Manifold Gauge Set?
For an A/C tech, a quality set of manifold gauges is an important diagnosis and service tool. We’ve referenced the issue of brass vs aluminum within the text of a previous blog, but since we’re still receiving questions about it,
SALES EVENT: Celebration of America’s Re-Opening 5/15 – 7/3 (EXPIRED 7/3/2020)
At FJC we recognize that our customers may need a little help easing back into running their businesses after a couple months of lagging, or non-existent sales. Money is tight, people are spooked, and we certainly could all use a
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH—45255 Commercial Heavy Duty Booster Cables
When considering a purchase of booster cables, cable gauge, resistance, clamps, length and product cost are all important considerations. It is imperative to not sacrifice one quality for another. For example, choosing a long cable at the expense of sub-par
Top 4 Causes of Air Conditioning Leaks (And What to do About Them)
A vehicle’s air conditioner keeps the cabin cool and comfortable on hot days. To do that effectively, it requires the correct level of refrigerant in the system. Since refrigerant is not “consumed” or used up in the normal process of
Quarantine Car Care
During the current lock down, it may not be possible to bring your vehicle into a shop for maintenance/repair. However, if (like many of us) you find yourself with extra time on your hands, and can tackle simple maintenance like
Car A/C Leaking Water?
Is there water pooling inside or outside of your vehicle? While there are a few potential causes, the culprit may likely be an A/C water leak. A/C water leaks are very different from the A/C refrigerant leaks that we often
How Often Should I Charge my A/C?
Wait one second! Stop right there! Unlike most components under your hood, an air conditioning system does not require a regular service or maintenance charging schedule. In fact, your vehicle’s A/C might NEVER need to be recharged unless you’ve been
How Does a Windshield Defroster Work?
Fogged up, “unclear” windows are not just an inconvenience, they present a “clear” driving danger. When the air temperature inside a vehicle is warmer than the temperature outside, the water molecules inside the cabin can go through a process of
In These Digital Times, Why Does FJC Still Provide a Printed Catalog?
I admit it. When I started working for FJC a couple years ago I questioned their printed catalog strategy. “We have the INTERNET nowadays,” I argued, “We don’t need to pay to design, print and mail out physical catalogs!” It
Vehicle Temperature Control in 2020
How lucky are we to be able to control the temperature inside of our vehicles’ cabins to help keep us comfortable and safe in all seasons and temperatures?!? Although it wasn’t always the case, in 2020 we’d be hard-pressed to
Will Coronavirus Affect FJC Service and Supplies?
With the COVID-19 global pandemic continuing to escalate, we wanted to share with you a brief summary of our response to this crisis. Along with the safety of our employees, customers and community our priority is to ensure that we
How do I Know Whether I Should Charge my A/C?
A/C systems operate by utilizing a compressor which pressurizes and circulates refrigerant and oil through the system, producing cold air through refrigerant phase changes. The refrigerant starts out as a gas in the low-pressure side, and is converted into a
Prepare Your Vehicle for Summer NOW
Spring is right around the corner, and right after that we’ll be hit with the stifling heat of summer. FJC’s distributors are already purchasing their refrigerant, tools and equipment for the upcoming season so they’re prepared. It’s equally important for
Does Running A/C Really Affect Gas Mileage?
We should all try to conserve fuel, whether for the environment or our pocketbooks—or both. It is with this notion in mind that we address an age-old question: Is it more fuel efficient to drive with the A/C running, or
What is a Spark Free/Spark Proof Tool?
In general, “Spark Free” tools are made of materials that do not contain iron and which utilize manufacturing processes which reduce the risk of a spark being created while the tool is in use . They protect against both fire
27 Tips for 27 Years
It’s been 27 years since Lynn Parnell established FJC (short for Fruit Jar Chemist), creating A/C flushes in his NC garage. We’ve come a long way since then—we’ve expanded our product line, our staff, and our footprint— now filling two
Become an FJC Distributor
FJC receives daily requests from customers who want to buy our products for their personal use. However, because FJC does not directly sell to end users, we refer these potential buyers to our established and knowledgeable distributor partners. At FJC
Are There Times I Should NOT Add Refrigerant to my Automotive A/C?
Quite simply, yes! FJC has been providing quality air conditioning products, tools, equipment and refrigerants for over 25 years, and while we love to help DYIers save money, we would be negligent in our duty if we didn’t advise that
How are China Tariffs Affecting Pricing in the American Automotive Aftermarket?
As part of his strategy against the Chinese “Made in China 2025” industrial policy, In July 2018 the Trump Administration placed $34 billion in tariffs on goods coming from China, prompting the Asian powerhouse to retaliate with an equal amount