A/C issues

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A/C issues

August 19, 2013, 09:33:12 PM

I purchased my car with a non-working a/c and have used it for several years that way. I decided to fix it, and replaced the entire system except the evaporator and the compressor. All new hoses. I flushed the evaporator with a pressurized flush can, and blew it out with compressed air. I flushed the compressor by filling and draining it with PAG-46 several times, probably 8oz total. I added 4oz of PAG-46 to the compressor, and 2oz each to the condenser and evaporator. I pulled 30" of vacuum on it for 30 min, then let it sit an additional 30 min to verify no leak. I then charged the system with 36oz of r134a.

Problem, the a/c works, but isn't very cold. Driving for several hours today in 90 degree heat, it was livable in the car, but probably never got below 75* with the a/c on full.

When I charged the system, the high side pressure went to 250 psi as soon as there was sufficient r134a to keep the clutch locked, and the low side pressure ended up right around 50 psi with the 36oz charge. The high side maintained the 250 during the entire charging process and a few minutes afterwards till i took the gauge set off. Ambient temp was 80-85 degrees. I didn't have a thermometer to measure vent temp, but i would guess 50 degrees or so. I have a crown vic PI electric fan, very similar to the mark VIII unit, and it kicks on low when the a/c is on.

I'm assuming I either overcharged due to the smaller plate/fin condenser, or I have a bad compressor. However, I'm certainly not an a/c expert, so I may be way off here. Any help is appreciated. I can get more precise temp and pressure measurements if needed.

Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #1 – August 19, 2013, 09:53:02 PM

What kind of setup did you use to pull the vacuum then charge the ac system? Sorry about how long this is, I tried to shorten it. Scroll to the bottom

[TABLE="class: fluid-capacities"]
[TR]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-year"]Year[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-model"]Model[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-refrigerant, colspan: 2"]Refrigerant[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-oil, colspan: 2"]Oil[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-refrigerant-type"]Type[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-refrigerant-ounces"]Ounces[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-oil-type"]Type[/TH]
[TH="class: fluid-capacities-oil-ounces"]Ounces[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] ASPIRE[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 26.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994-1996[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 25.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 6.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] CONTOUR[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1995-2000[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 26.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] CROWN VICTORIA[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997-2004[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 38.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.50[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1995-1996[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 38.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 34.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 38.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1992[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989-1991[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 48.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1988[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 52.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 13.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1987[/TD]
[TD] All Engines To 9/86 ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 52.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] All Engines From 9/86 ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 52.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 13.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] ESCORT[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997-2002[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 6.75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994-1996[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 34.08[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1991-1992[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 33.92[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1988-1990[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1987[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] FESTIVA[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1988-1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 25.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] FOCUS[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2000-2004[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 26.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] LTD[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1985[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] MUSTANG[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997-2004[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 34.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 8.50[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994-1996[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 34.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989-1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986-1988[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] PROBE[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1997[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 100[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994-1996[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 100[/TD]
[TD] 6.75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989-1992[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] TAURUS[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1996-2004[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 34.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1995[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 32.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994[/TD]
[TD] Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 33.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 33.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1993[/TD]
[TD] SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 32.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 32.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1992[/TD]
[TD] Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1991[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.5 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1990[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.5 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.5 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. Excl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. SHO ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1988[/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. 3.0 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. 3.8 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1987[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.5 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. 3.0 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 44.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] TEMPO[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.3 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 33.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. 3.0 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 33.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1992-1993[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. 2.3 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. 3.0 Eng. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989-1991[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1987-1988[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1985[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 41.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fluid-capacities-model"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] THUNDERBIRD[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 4"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2002-2004[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 28.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1995-1997[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1994[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R134a[/TD]
[TD] 36.00[/TD]
[TD] PAG 46[/TD]
[TD] 6.75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1989-1993[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1988[/TD]
[TD] 4 Cyl. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 6 Cyl. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] 8 Cyl. ..[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1987[/TD]
[TD] All Engines[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1986[/TD]
[TD] All Engines To 1/86 ...[/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 10.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] All Engines From 1/86 ... [/TD]
[TD] R12[/TD]
[TD] 40.00[/TD]
[TD] Mineral[/TD]
[TD] 8.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

A/C issues

Reply #2 – August 19, 2013, 10:58:50 PM

Verify the orifice tube.

A/C issues

Reply #3 – August 19, 2013, 11:32:09 PM

Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;420325

Verify the orifice tube.

A new orifice tube would have been in the low side (liquid) line.

I assume you replaced the acspoogeulator? I pulled a vacuum on my system for 1hr to ensure all the moisture was boiled out. Also used a vent thermometer as I was charging system. As soon as the center vent showed 40F I stopped the charge. I had about half of a 12 oz AC can remaining for a total charge of about 30oz. If the system capacity is 40oz and the rule is to charge no more than 80% for a 134a conversion that would be about 32oz max. Don't know if a few ounces would make a difference but my AC is frosty with the outside temp near 100F. I also used SubZero brand 134a freon with the ICE additive available from AutoZone and NAPA for about $21.99 each.

One more thing...make sure the schrader valves in the service connectors are tight to prevent leakage.

A/C issues

Reply #4 – August 19, 2013, 11:59:25 PM

Sticker on core support showed 42oz of r12, so 36oz of r134a is close to the 85%. Probably lost a bit from the 12oz cans due to residual and line purges, so should be very close.
EDIT: just reread, I thought it was 85%, not 80%. I can bleed some off, but would an ounce or two too much cause it to be this inefficient?

New fixed orifice tube in liquid line.

Schrader valves are tight.

New acspoogeulator with hose.

Used a gauge manifold set and a 3 cfm vacuum pump designed for auto a/c work.

EDIT AGAIN: When I let the system hold vacuum, the gauge was rock solid. I read that it would creep down a bit if there was still moisture in the system, so i believe any present had boiled off.

Think that covers everything.
Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #5 – August 20, 2013, 05:41:17 PM

Verify clutch fan operation. Poor airflow through the condenser will cause high pressures

A/C issues

Reply #6 – August 20, 2013, 06:46:27 PM

Your pressures are to high. As chicken points both the loew and the high side are way to high. What size is or should i say what color is the TUBE!!! That is number one. Then you have to cool down the condenser to get that temp down by at least 50*. With 50 on the low side you are just wasting good freon. You need 30- 40 PSIG on the low side or the ball game is OVER!! By the way always use reformulated RA134A. There is still some old stuff hanging around as i am told and i actually find that hard to believe but that is the word on the street. Never use BLENDS. Good luck

A/C issues

Reply #7 – August 20, 2013, 07:28:59 PM

Clutch fan was deleted after it blew up and destroyed everything in the front of the engine bay. Is now a very large two speed electric fan, which turns on low with the a/c. Holding my hand in front of the condenser while charging showed good air flow.

The orifice tube is one of the built in units, not a separate tube like modern systems. This one: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MRY0/55602/02728.oap?year=1987&make=Ford&model=Thunderbird&vi=1140253&ck=Search_a%21s%21c+orifice+tube_1140253_1550&keyword=a%21s%21c+orifice+tube

I thought the pressures seemed too high, but the high side went to 250 psi as soon as there was enough r134a in the system to engage the compressor clutch, less than a 12oz can. It then held steady while the low side increased with added refrigerant.

As for the coolant, i ordered a case of 12oz cans of johnson's 134a. It is not a blend, I'll bring in a can later to check if its ra134a.

Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #8 – August 20, 2013, 07:49:17 PM

Tom, this is the 134a I used: http://www.johnsens.com/index.php/products/detail/6312-r-134a

A/C issues

Reply #9 – August 20, 2013, 08:14:32 PM

Just hooked up the manifold gauge set again to verify info.

Ambient temp is 84.
Car was sitting in the sun before and while tested
System showed 100psi with engine off.
Low side went to 50psi when engine started
High side went to 260psi, then dropped to 235-240 psi when car idled down.

Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #10 – August 20, 2013, 10:20:46 PM

That is good freon and a good supplier. Your numbers are off the charts and way to HIGH on both sides. Try this make sure you do not have to much freon in the system or just do this. Run the system at 1200 RPM with the AC on of course. Then with a garden hose on light mist spray the condenser while watching the low and high side readings. If both numbers FALL and they WILL. Check the vent temp at the center outlet and post the numbers. It should be around 35-40* Good luck!!

A/C issues

Reply #11 – August 20, 2013, 10:39:29 PM

Ok, i just went out and tried it.

It is now dark out and 75 degrees ambient.
Had a friend rev up the car to around 1200 rpm (no tac)
Pressure was 30psi low, 150psi high
Spraying water on condenser didn't change it
I couldn't find my laser thermometer, but the vent felt quite cold, probably 40 or below.

Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #12 – August 21, 2013, 06:11:14 AM

How long did you let it run? If you're fighting a hot condenser condition, you need to give it time to get plenty hot before you start taking measurements and/or spraying the condenser.

A/C issues

Reply #13 – August 21, 2013, 04:09:22 PM

Tried it again today with hotter conditions and direct sunlight

84* ambient and humid
Started up car, got 275 high, 50 low
Had a friend rev the engine to somewhere near 1200 rpm, and ran a gentle stream of cold water back and forth across the condenser
Pressures dropped to 175 high, 26 low
Vent temps measured with a blue point probe thermometer stuck in the central vent, 47.2 stable.

I'm wondering if thats indicative of a blend door or debris clogged evaporator? Along with an overcharge?

Thanks,
Chris

A/C issues

Reply #14 – August 21, 2013, 04:31:47 PM

No, it's indicative of a problem with your cooling fan. Your best choice is an electric fan, but it might be enough to start with is you make sure you have a good fan clutch.