AC Issue

[azzaLX]

IF you saw fluid or bubbles in the sight glass (as you cited in post #55) then you have liquid refrigerant in the system.

A set of gauges would allow to check and see what your 'static' pressure (if any) was.

Hi flintknapper,
Thanks. Yes, you are correct. There was definitely fluid in the sight glass. What I don't understand is how I was getting no refrigerant escaping when I pressed the service valves (both of them)....unless I was not depressing them enough?....I guess so, it is the only explanation that makes sense.


Here is what I end up doing: Added one can of dye and enough of Red Tek 12a to get the compressor starting and then to get the low pressure to stabilize at 35psi, which is what the FSM calls for as a maximum low pressure.

I don't have gauge for the high pressure, so I cannot confirm what it is right now.

Got the temperature in the vents to go down to 48DegF (as measured by my Casio watch...).

The Red Tek 12a is the only thing I can find locally, equivalent to 134a with a weight conversion chart.

So it looks like I have a leak, probably small one as I still had refrigerant in the system. I will run the AC when I drive for a couple of days and then try to find a leak with an UV light.

Below is how the AC Switch light looks like when the AC is on. Can anyone please confirm the switch is supposed to stay yellow? For some reason i was under the impression that it would go green....

 

[flintknapper]

Sounds like a leak. If small enough (only requires adding refrigerant) once or twice a year....likely not worth chasing down.

A more serious leak, yes.

 

[white_lx]

Hi flintknapper,
Thanks. Yes, you are correct. There was definitely fluid in the sight glass. What I don't understand is how I was getting no refrigerant escaping when I pressed the service valves (both of them)....unless I was not depressing them enough?....I guess so, it is the only explanation that makes sense.

Just wondering if you are able to see the oil in the sight glass. Maybe that is what you saw? Not sure if that is possible.

Here is what I end up doing: Added one can of dye and enough of Red Tek 12a to get the compressor starting and then to get the low pressure to stabilize at 35psi, which is what the FSM calls for as a maximum low pressure.

What about the pressure when you started charing the Red Tek? Did it start at '0'? That would tell if you had refrigerant left. If you do connect it with the little short hose, you can crack the coupling at the can to purge the line before puncturing the can. That would also tell you if you had refrigerant left.

Note that Red Tek is a hydrocarbon based refrigerant replacement. Not a regular refrigerant. So your pressures may vary.

 

[azzaLX]

Just wondering if you are able to see the oil, in the sight glass. Not sure if that is possible.



What about the pressure when you started charing the Red Tek? Did it start at '0'? That would tell if you had refrigerant left. If you do connect it with the little short hose, you can crack the coupling at the can to purge the line before puncturing the can. That would also tell you if you had refrigerant left.

Note that Red Tek is a hydrocarbon based refrigerant replacement. Not a regular refrigerant. So your pressures may vary.

After staring longer at the sight glass, I now believe I was seeing refrigerant and some small bubbles when I was tapping on it. I don't see how it could be anything else now...

Good point on the initial pressure: When I connected the charging hose I saw around 10 psi and seeing that I added a total of less than a punt equivalent of 134a, I am now sure that I had refrigerant left in the system. I am still puzzled by how I could not get refrigerant to escape when I pressed down on the valve. Now when I press on the valve I get a nice puff of gas!

And on the Red Tek being HC based, unless I drain it all and refill based on weight, I have no way of knowing what would be the ideal pressure, right?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[azzaLX]

Sounds like a leak. If small enough (only requires adding refrigerant) once or twice a year....likely not worth chasing down.

A more serious leak, yes.

That's what I am thinking too. Let's see how long this charge will last. Here in Canada I need AC only for the next 3-4 months, so if lasts that long it is enough. On the other hand, once I already added the UV dye and have the flashlight on hand I will take a look at it tonight and see if I find anything, at least I will know where to start in case the leak gets worse.

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[fooldall1]

That's what I am thinking too. Let's see how long this charge will last. Here in Canada I need AC only for the next 3-4 months, so if lasts that long it is enough. On the other hand, once I already added the UV dye and have the flashlight on hand I will take a look at it tonight and see if I find anything, at least I will know where to start in case the leak gets worse.

Thanks a lot for the help!

I know this will probably be frowned upon, but I had a small leak..and "red angel" fixed it. I haven't added a call in 6 months and I live in FL

 

[Dannyboy lx470]

Just a question with the built in units what setting do people find best recirculation or auto or the other option.Not sure if differences.