and what needs to be done to them? refilling of refrigerant?

i think my ac system is mechanically sound but it just doesnt blow cold anymore....

it just blows...

Well mine sucks. Damn thing hasen't worked in a couple of years. Just drive at nite.;)

The a/c system is a sealed system and should not leak. Over years you will lose a very small amount of refrigerant but may be enough to cause it to cool less. There are a number of things that cause an a/c system to not cool properly. Restrictions in the line, a/c relay not letting the clutch cycle on and off, leaves or debris covering the condenser, a/c clutch out of spec causing the clutch to slip, low refrigerant, plugged orifice tube, etc. If you have a specific symptom, I can tell you a few things to check. Make sure that when you turn your a/c on that you hear the a/c fan kick on, that you hear the compressor clutch cycling, watch for the lines to actually freeze. If you see actual frost on the lines there is usually a restriction in the line somewhere. Some people buy those small cans of refrigerant and just start filling it up and that is not good. To much is not better. Too much will cause it to cool less. If you have any questions I will try to answer them. We just got finished with a/c class in school and I learned a shitload of info about a/c systems. I also learned that you should turn your a/c on every once in a while during the colder months because the system also has an a/c oil that lubricates everything in the system that only lubricates while the compressor is running, pushing the refrigerant and oil through the system.

yup i click mine on every once in a while even in the winter.. today i clicked it on as a matter of fact and it still blows cold.. she treats me nice..

well, when i turn it on, i can see that little fan near the radiator turning on... i can hear a difference in the engine... so i think the compressor is working... i cant see any lines being frozen so theres a big leak?