Maybe AC not bust?

[Nick R]

I'm confused. When I got back from ohio last summer the AC stopped working and I added a can of 134a. Next day, nothing. Well, today out of curiosity I added a can of 134a with dye, and it works. There are no visible leaks, the pressure stays steady, (30psi low pressure side) and when it's off, the pressure climbs to 65psi and stays there, no noticeable leaks, and half an hour of observation reveals pressure stays the same. Maybe I just overcharged it last time, and it just blew past the compressor seal, and if I don't overcharge it, it will still work?

 

[John_K]

Or maybe you undercharged it last time?

John

 

[mechanicx]

Sometimes it can be very hard to find a leak if there is one even with dye. You almost need a very good electronic leak detector that can sniff for r-134a, or maybe even pressurize the system with nitrogen and a trace of r14.

 

[mechtech2]

65 rest pressure is a little low - it should be around 80, depending on the ambient temps.

 

[Nick R]

I added another can, and Its 75 at rest, 30 at idle. Now the A/C blows arctic cold again, hope it was just that there wasn't enough freon in it.

 

[Nick R]

Theres a leak. How do I know? Went out this morning to check it. Doesn't come on again, and pressure with AC off is 25. Ugh.

 

[mechtech2]

Even compared to the TITANIC, you have a big leak!

 

[Texan4Life]

i'm battling the same thing. on my caddy I converted it to 134a and it blows 38-40F ( have seen as low as 36F!!!) at the vents yet I have a leak you could drive a truck through. But I cant find it! dye and leak detector come up dry.

I think I might have a hairline crack in a high side line or the condenser that opens up under pressure.

 

[mechanicx]

Now it's just a matter of detecting and finding the leak. Otherwise you will be throwing a lot of expensive parts at it.