Help me please with some A/C guage readings!
#1
Help me please with some A/C guage readings!
The car:
1998 Accord EX, automatic
The situation:
No A/C. Added a can of R134a... Some A/C, it got fairly cold. After a week, no more cold at all, though the compressor was turning.
I added a can of R134a with some dye to look for leaks. A/C at outlet vent got to just above 60 degrees F. It was about 80 degrees today in full sun. System was on recirculation.
I couldn't find any leaks.
I took some readings with the gauges:
System running, compressor engaged, all that -- LOW: 31psi HIGH: 175psi
I waited 2 hours, at which time it was getting dark, outside temp had dropped to about 72 degrees F.
System running, compressor engaged, all that -- LOW: 25psi HIGH: 175psi
I noticed that the compressor would run a couple mins, then quit for about a minute, then re-engage, cycling like that endlessly. When the compressor quit, the LOW side would jump to about 90psi, HIGH would stay about the same.
Still getting cold inside.
I see no evidence of leaks anywhere, using that dye and this little UV penlight. I know that it brightly illuminates the dye because I got some on my fingers and they glowed bright green like you wouldn't believe.
1998 Accord EX, automatic
The situation:
No A/C. Added a can of R134a... Some A/C, it got fairly cold. After a week, no more cold at all, though the compressor was turning.
I added a can of R134a with some dye to look for leaks. A/C at outlet vent got to just above 60 degrees F. It was about 80 degrees today in full sun. System was on recirculation.
I couldn't find any leaks.
I took some readings with the gauges:
System running, compressor engaged, all that -- LOW: 31psi HIGH: 175psi
I waited 2 hours, at which time it was getting dark, outside temp had dropped to about 72 degrees F.
System running, compressor engaged, all that -- LOW: 25psi HIGH: 175psi
I noticed that the compressor would run a couple mins, then quit for about a minute, then re-engage, cycling like that endlessly. When the compressor quit, the LOW side would jump to about 90psi, HIGH would stay about the same.
Still getting cold inside.
I see no evidence of leaks anywhere, using that dye and this little UV penlight. I know that it brightly illuminates the dye because I got some on my fingers and they glowed bright green like you wouldn't believe.
Last edited by Dr. Drivability; 05-09-2013 at 08:26 AM. Reason: used wrong reference for refrigerant
#2
the pressure readings you have are pretty good. most of the time leaks are fairly small and always in a place you can't access (at least for me anyway ) probably have to drive it around for a few days and then check it again. based on your vent temp with an ambient temp of 80 degrees, it probably did not have a full charge. vent temps should be at least 40 degrees below outside temps on recirc.
#3
Thanks for that info!
Yes, it most definetly does not have a full charge. The compressor wouldn't kick on until I added that 12 oz can.
I don't want to add another because I suspect I have a leak... those cans of R-124a are 20 bucks a pop!!
Yes, it most definetly does not have a full charge. The compressor wouldn't kick on until I added that 12 oz can.
I don't want to add another because I suspect I have a leak... those cans of R-124a are 20 bucks a pop!!
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