To Add or Not to Add 134
10-22-2014, 08:53 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
To Add or Not to Add 134
What a ride.
Had the car running last week and noticed the low pressure A/C lines and accumulator was starting to ice up. Connected my gauges and measured the it was cycling down at 15 psi and reconnecting under 40 psi. OK the switch is bad and was still under warranty so getting another one should fix it and that would be end of story, or no story at all.
Got the new switch and as I screwed it on a tremendous whoosh of Freon came out for a few seconds. I removed it and tried the old O-ring but the same. Put the new O-ring back on with no improvement. Thinking it had to be me, I screwed it back on because I needed to find the leak as it was really coming out. I felt the Freon coming out from the middle of the new switch were the plastic meets the metal (crimp).
So I called up to get another switch and no other same chain store in my area had one. So now I have a vette with no A/C. I quickly ran back to the store and got my old part back and gave them the new one back and just left disgusted. Put it back on the car so at least I am functional now again.
Ordered a switch from another store and picked it up today. But this time I went down to the store with tools and my gauges. Did the install in the parking lot to avoid another 3 ring circus. Checked the pressures which were just fine, I'm fixed and I left.
So now things are working normal but I did lose a bunch of gas. I can tell it probably needs a light shot but hate to open another can at the end of the season and use maybe 20% or so. Kind of on the fence with adding, need to run the car some and see.
I will probably watch it for now as I do have a monitor in the car where I can tell when the compressor cycles. I guess next time I take a trip I will look for reduced air flow or ice on the pipes.
Had the car running last week and noticed the low pressure A/C lines and accumulator was starting to ice up. Connected my gauges and measured the it was cycling down at 15 psi and reconnecting under 40 psi. OK the switch is bad and was still under warranty so getting another one should fix it and that would be end of story, or no story at all.
Got the new switch and as I screwed it on a tremendous whoosh of Freon came out for a few seconds. I removed it and tried the old O-ring but the same. Put the new O-ring back on with no improvement. Thinking it had to be me, I screwed it back on because I needed to find the leak as it was really coming out. I felt the Freon coming out from the middle of the new switch were the plastic meets the metal (crimp).
So I called up to get another switch and no other same chain store in my area had one. So now I have a vette with no A/C. I quickly ran back to the store and got my old part back and gave them the new one back and just left disgusted. Put it back on the car so at least I am functional now again.
Ordered a switch from another store and picked it up today. But this time I went down to the store with tools and my gauges. Did the install in the parking lot to avoid another 3 ring circus. Checked the pressures which were just fine, I'm fixed and I left.
So now things are working normal but I did lose a bunch of gas. I can tell it probably needs a light shot but hate to open another can at the end of the season and use maybe 20% or so. Kind of on the fence with adding, need to run the car some and see.
I will probably watch it for now as I do have a monitor in the car where I can tell when the compressor cycles. I guess next time I take a trip I will look for reduced air flow or ice on the pipes.
10-22-2014, 10:20 PM
#3
Race Director
A can of freon is not even half a tank of gas. You shouldn't have to think about it too long.
10-22-2014, 10:41 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Not really a money thing but I knew the comments were coming 
. I just finished off a can a week ago I have had for a while with the vette and another car. Just was holding off before I popped another can. Probably still going to watch the A/C for the next ride or 2.
. I just finished off a can a week ago I have had for a while with the vette and another car. Just was holding off before I popped another can. Probably still going to watch the A/C for the next ride or 2.
Last edited by pcolt94; 10-22-2014 at 10:46 PM.
10-23-2014, 09:03 AM
#5
Team Owner
One thing the A/C does is to help de-humidify the interior when you use the Defrost side of the system. Even with using a higher temp selection, the A/C is working in Defrost mode.
10-23-2014, 09:39 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
I found 134 on sale for $4 per can and got a bunch of it. I still hesitate to open a new can too, but at these prices, if the car needs it, it gets it. Who cares if a little is wasted.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
10-23-2014, 11:19 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Cherokee National Forest TN
Posts: 2,376
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Frost on the suction line & accumulator = normal.
You need to check the system operating pressure to determine if Freon is needed.
Vehicle in shade, interior at ambient temp.
ATC @ 60*, recirculate, blower @ #10, doors & windows closed.
Jump the low pressure switch connector with a paper clip or jumper wire.
Engine running 1500/1800 rpm.
If you have a box fan place it front of the car.
Run this set up for 5 minutes then check pressure. Low side 28 to 34 depending on ambient temp + air flow across the condenser. If less than 28 add Freon.
Good luck.
Wish I had an AC problem at this time of year it was 39* here last night.
You need to check the system operating pressure to determine if Freon is needed.
Vehicle in shade, interior at ambient temp.
ATC @ 60*, recirculate, blower @ #10, doors & windows closed.
Jump the low pressure switch connector with a paper clip or jumper wire.
Engine running 1500/1800 rpm.
If you have a box fan place it front of the car.
Run this set up for 5 minutes then check pressure. Low side 28 to 34 depending on ambient temp + air flow across the condenser. If less than 28 add Freon.
Good luck.
Wish I had an AC problem at this time of year it was 39* here last night.
10-23-2014, 01:36 PM
#8
I found 134 on sale for $4 per can and got a bunch of it. I still hesitate to open a new can too, but at these prices, if the car needs it, it gets it. Who cares if a little is wasted.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
10-23-2014, 04:16 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
This thread getting more play than I expected as I was just venting a slight amount due to the running around. But there's some good information that has come out of it. I too have thought about buying my 134 in the larger "Costco" size also.
So this test looked like some fun so I thought I'd try it.
Car says 76*
Static pressure 80
Set up test as instructed, external fan running and both left and right fan on car running.
Started car, checked gauge for first look and was down at 18.
Set engine to proper RPM for test.
Within a minute it was down to 15. Watched it a bit more then shut it all down.
It was cold in the cabin and pipes were turning white.
Guess according to your test I need Freon.
Still in the solid upper 80s here. Just glad to be out of the 90s recently
.
Frost on the suction line & accumulator = normal.
You need to check the system operating pressure to determine if Freon is needed.
Vehicle in shade, interior at ambient temp.
ATC @ 60*, recirculate, blower @ #10, doors & windows closed.
Jump the low pressure switch connector with a paper clip or jumper wire.
Engine running 1500/1800 rpm.
If you have a box fan place it front of the car.
Run this set up for 5 minutes then check pressure. Low side 28 to 34 depending on ambient temp + air flow across the condenser. If less than 28 add Freon.
Good luck.
Wish I had an AC problem at this time of year it was 39* here last night.
You need to check the system operating pressure to determine if Freon is needed.
Vehicle in shade, interior at ambient temp.
ATC @ 60*, recirculate, blower @ #10, doors & windows closed.
Jump the low pressure switch connector with a paper clip or jumper wire.
Engine running 1500/1800 rpm.
If you have a box fan place it front of the car.
Run this set up for 5 minutes then check pressure. Low side 28 to 34 depending on ambient temp + air flow across the condenser. If less than 28 add Freon.
Good luck.
Wish I had an AC problem at this time of year it was 39* here last night.
Car says 76*
Static pressure 80
Set up test as instructed, external fan running and both left and right fan on car running.
Started car, checked gauge for first look and was down at 18.
Set engine to proper RPM for test.
Within a minute it was down to 15. Watched it a bit more then shut it all down.
It was cold in the cabin and pipes were turning white.
Guess according to your test I need Freon.
Still in the solid upper 80s here. Just glad to be out of the 90s recently
.
Last edited by pcolt94; 10-23-2014 at 04:18 PM.
10-24-2014, 12:48 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Cherokee National Forest TN
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 0
Received 102 Likes
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92 Posts
The ATC system runs the compressor at all times unless heat or vent is selected. Cabin temp is determined by the temperature blend door blending AC & hot air for the cabin temperature selected.
If your ATC compressor is cycling on/off the system is low on Freon.
Suggest the procedure outlined in post 7, fill to 28*.
Good luck.
If your ATC compressor is cycling on/off the system is low on Freon.
Suggest the procedure outlined in post 7, fill to 28*.
Good luck.
10-24-2014, 06:19 AM
#11
Safety Car
10-24-2014, 10:29 AM
#12
Race Director
I found 134 on sale for $4 per can and got a bunch of it. I still hesitate to open a new can too, but at these prices, if the car needs it, it gets it. Who cares if a little is wasted.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
Last year I used a cheap one gage/one line filler to add instead of my normal gages. I just added a little, but I left the can hooked up to the cheapie hose since it was over half full.
To my surprise, this summer there was still 134 left in the can and I used it again for another car.
10-24-2014, 01:21 PM
#13