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My car sat up for awhile, I got around to driving it again and the ac went from hot to cold and now back to hot. I assumed it was low on freon so i grabbed a cheap can with the gauges on it until I can get some real gauges. The cheap gauge reads low but it wouldn't take any and then started working. The temps outta the vent went down to 41° but now it's blowing hot again. No codes, as always any advice is greatly appreciated.
There probably is a reason it was low on refrigerant. Check for leaks.
I'll check for leaks. I was confused because when I tried to add freon it didn't seem to be taking any and the gauge on the cheap can is staying around 25 psi.
that pressure seams really low. Is it pulling any new refrigerant in? I'm not an A/C repair man, but my understand is if the compressor stays on and it still does not chill the air, it could be the compressor has lost is seals (and is not working even though the clutch engages), or the blend door actuator is not functioning.
that pressure seams really low. Is it pulling any new refrigerant in? I'm not an A/C repair man, but my understand is if the compressor stays on and it still does not chill the air, it could be the compressor has lost is seals (and is not working even though the clutch engages), or the blend door actuator is not functioning.
It had to have been pulling it because the cans almost empty. But the gauge is still around 25 psi with the engine running, with the engine off it was around 125 psi. If it had a leak shouldn't it eventually go to 0? It didn't give any codes for the hvac. This is my first time ever messing with a ac system.
Last edited by 001pewter; Jul 18, 2017 at 06:51 PM.
It had to have been pulling it because the cans almost empty. But the gauge is still around 25 psi with the engine running, with the engine off it was around 125 psi. If it had a leak shouldn't it eventually go to 0? It didn't give any codes for the hvac. This is my first time ever messing with a ac system.
I, personally, would never blindly add refrigerant just looking at the low side pressure and not knowing what's happening to the high side during the process.
Refrigerant pressures depend not only on the ambient temperature, but also on humidity and the RPMs of the engine.
Take a look at this post. It has detailed instructions to check/add refrigerant and a pressures chart that take into consideration all relevant parameters.
Invest in a uv light and freon with dye in it. That will allow you to find the leak. Or have a shop vacuum test it. But the freon went somewhere aka a leak
I, personally, would never blindly add refrigerant just looking at the low side pressure and not knowing what's happening to the high side during the process.
Refrigerant pressures depend not only on the ambient temperature, but also on humidity and the RPMs of the engine.
Take a look at this post. It has detailed instructions to check/add refrigerant and a pressures chart that take into consideration all relevant parameters.
I honestly never thought there was that much to a system. I either had cars that never had a problem or never had ac. Thanks for the info I'll keep that in mind.
Invest in a uv light and freon with dye in it. That will allow you to find the leak. Or have a shop vacuum test it. But the freon went somewhere aka a leak
I, personally, would never blindly add refrigerant just looking at the low side pressure and not knowing what's happening to the high side during the process.
Refrigerant pressures depend not only on the ambient temperature, but also on humidity and the RPMs of the engine.
Take a look at this post. It has detailed instructions to check/add refrigerant and a pressures chart that take into consideration all relevant parameters.
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If a guy does not know anything about A/C, it is best to leave it to the experts.
I honestly didn't realize there was this much to a ac system. Probably just roll with the windows down for awhile until I learn more about it and get some real gauges, fix, and maintain it the right way. Any other advice or thoughts is appreciated and thanks to all that posted.
Ac problems
