A/C question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 178
From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
A/C question
Air was fine last fall. Got a recharge kit with gauge. It says if compressor is not cycling take to pro.
1 Compressor not cycling
2 Jumped it and the clutch is working
3 The gauge when attached has no movement..
A friend said just give it a very small shot or two to see if it matters.
Do I try a shot or two. Advice welcome.
Ken
1 Compressor not cycling
2 Jumped it and the clutch is working
3 The gauge when attached has no movement..
A friend said just give it a very small shot or two to see if it matters.
Do I try a shot or two. Advice welcome.
Ken
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,894
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
When you put gauge and you sure it is on you have no movement 0 on gauge, unless you have a defective gauge you're system is empty. Which means you have a fair leak in system, that has to be found.
You can pick up a can of Freon that has a Dye Charge in it and most Large Auto Parts Stores have the Black Light you can Rent, But REFRANE from using a Stop Leak Can that can lead to other problems.
You can pick up a can of Freon that has a Dye Charge in it and most Large Auto Parts Stores have the Black Light you can Rent, But REFRANE from using a Stop Leak Can that can lead to other problems.
Last edited by s carter; May 3, 2020 at 09:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
1 can with dye and a just in case second 134a only. Sometimes it takes a second can to get AC operating well enough for dye to seap out. If you hear hissing like flat tire, something has a hole in it. Look for oil build up on connections and components, it's a telltale of a leak. Condensers can catch road debris causing holes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 178
From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Had a can of Freon with some left. Added to system and gauge came up. Compressor cycled several times in short bursts. Gauge is up to top of green and stayed there for several hours. I am going to check again today and see if it held. No hissing noise no visible signs of a leak. I did notice the compressor stopped the cycling again. If it is down gauge again will start a leak search. I know very little about A/C but I'm learning.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
You need to take this to an ac shop and have it repaired properly. If it was good last fall but not now, you have a leak. AC leaks don't fix themselves. By your own admission, you know little about ac systems. Since your gauge showed 0 at the first, it means your system was empty of refrigerant and now has a gut full of atmosphere containing moisture. This moisture creates acids in the system and if it is PAG oil, your oil is also polluted since PAG oil is hygroscopic. Non-condensables(air) in the system also creates high head pressures and makes for an overall inefficient system. A reliable shop will find the leak, change your dryer, purge with nitrogen and evacuate the system. Before adding refrigerant, they will see that it holds a vacuum. If you don't do this, the odds are you can add a compressor to your shopping list down the road.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
Like above the short bursts are the low pressure switch getting just enough pressure to start and when the compressor kicks in the switch shuts back off.
You can use stop;leak if you want since alot of leaks are at the connections. Mabey it would work. You are full of atmoshere so you need to draw the vacuum
now. It is a good time to go to a shop and have them charge it if you don't have a vacuum pump and guages.
You can use stop;leak if you want since alot of leaks are at the connections. Mabey it would work. You are full of atmoshere so you need to draw the vacuum
now. It is a good time to go to a shop and have them charge it if you don't have a vacuum pump and guages.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 596
Likes: 146
From: Minford, Ohio
You didn't say what year your car is. If it's an 80's or early 90's it came with R12 unless someone upgraded to 134. If it har R12 in it and you added 134 you better take it to a pro, the two are not compatible and will ruin your whole system.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 178
From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Added two cans working properly now. Had it to a shop and they did almost nothing. The controls needed rebuilt as the blend door would not change. He looked at it in the fall of 2018. Took Freon out so the air would not work and freeze us out. A friend Put a very small charge in last spring thus the 1/2 can left over. Worked fine all last summer. Ice cold now. It is an 89 and was converted to 134 years ago. I will watch it closely and anything strange it will go to a different shop.
Thank you all. Info all noted Ken
Thank you all. Info all noted Ken