another ac question

[scwill]

My Ac is blowing and working fine, just not getting cold, like no difference between max cold and 74. Whats crazy is it still lets out lots of water from that drain in the fire wall. Should I recharge or just wait and let a professional look at it.? I have recharged my 98 Chevy before, just bought this cruiser so not exactly sure whats involved with recharging. I'm guessing find the high side cap port(maybe blue in color?) hook up refrigerant and blast it in while the truck is on and the ac is running. Wanted to drive the truck to the Devils River this weekend but if I cant get AC working right I will take my truck. Thanks,Casey

 

[TXSunDevil]

You charge into the low side port. What is the temperature of the air coming out of the vent? Is the compressor cycling?

 

[scwill]

You charge into the low side port. What is the temperature of the air coming out of the vent? Is the compressor cycling?

What color cap is the low side port? I would guess it to be 75 or 76. Haven't had time to see if the compressor is cycling, driving back from a 30 miles road trip and it just wasnt getting that cold. Should I just put it on high and pop the hood to see and listen for the compressor to kick on and off? Thanks.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I just got my LC a few weeks ago and I have not looked at the AC system. Generally the caps are black on all of my previous vehicles. The low side line is commonly referred to as the suction line and it is generally bigger than the high side line. It is the line that comes off of your compressor and heads towards the firewall. The high side line leaves the compressor and heads for the condenser which is near the radiator. I would pop the hood with the AC off and have someone turn it on to make sure you can see the compressor turning.

 

[flintknapper]

My Ac is blowing and working fine, just not getting cold, like no difference between max cold and 74.
If it isn't getting cold then it isn't 'working fine'. Your blower motor is working, that is all we know.

Whats crazy is it still lets out lots of water from that drain in the fire wall.

That isn't crazy, A/C removes moisture from the air while it is extracting the heat, perfectly normal and a potentially good sign for you.

Should I recharge or just wait and let a professional look at it.?

I don't normally recommend adding refrigerant to a system without knowing more than you have provided, but IF your compressor clutch is engaging (and in your case probably cycling quite a bit) then I'd say you would probably be OK to add a SMALL amount (1/2 can) and see if your vent temps improve.


I have recharged my 98 Chevy before, just bought this cruiser so not exactly sure whats involved with recharging. I'm guessing find the high side cap port(maybe blue in color?) hook up refrigerant and blast it in while the truck is on and the ac is running.

DO NOT charge into the high side! The low side (suction side) line is the line with the larger of two fittings, that is the line you will vapor charge into. Don't just get a can and "blast it in"....as we don't know the exact state of the system charge and can't know that without hooking up a set of gauges, BUT your situation sounds like a good candidate for adding a small amount and checking the vent temps. IF it gets cooler, post back and we can go from there.


Wanted to drive the truck to the Devils River this weekend but if I cant get AC working right I will take my truck.

Yep, going to be hot, you'll want A/C. But even if you get it working ... we still need to see if there is a significant leak or it will be all for naught.

Thanks,Casey

Expand above ^^^^^^^^^

 

[scwill]

10-4 arrowhead man. Ive done some knapping in my day. I can knapp a arrowhead faster then i can fix an ac problem thats for sure. I will follow your guidance and report back. Thank ya.

 

[890man]

I had to look up knapping. I like to nap a lot but I've never knapped. I learned something knew. Now if I can only figure out how I ended up in the 100 series section.

 

[scwill]

Expand above ^^^^^^^^^

Here you go. Shot about 6 oz into the low side. Feels a little cooler but not 64 cold.? Weird. I have attached to pictures for you. Thank you sir.

 

[scwill]

Went for a drive and its cold as ice. Should i be worried about a leak? Should i put the rest of the 12oz can in?

 

[labcab]

Went for a drive and its cold as ice. Should i be worried about a leak? Should i put the rest of the 12oz can in?

Yes, you have a leak. It's a contained system. No, don't put the rest in there. You don't want to overcharge the system. Those gauges aren't very reliable. If it's working well, I'd leave it alone.

You'll keep throwing money away on coolant until that leak is repaired. There is a DIY version involving dye, and then repairing or replacing the line once you find the leak. One of the leak seal products might buy you some time, but those aren't generally considered a permanent fix.

 

[flintknapper]

Went for a drive and its cold as ice. Should i be worried about a leak? Should i put the rest of the 12oz can in?

As concerns a leak, you definitely have one, refrigerant is not a 'consumable' like engine oil, etc...

A properly sealed unit will hold refrigerant indefinitely.

Only question is:

Where is the leak (or leaks) and how significant are they.

IF you have a small leak and it occurs over a long period of time (like taking all summer to leak down) then its probably not worth chasing down at this point.

I don't know what the ambient temperature was when put the refrigerant in, but lets say mid to upper 80's. IF that was the case then you should be fine putting a little more refrigerant in. This assumes the gauge on that can is fairly accurate.

My guess (and its only a guess) is that you have a small to medium leak and that your system was simply a bit low on refrigerant charge. We can't tell for sure what it needs until you hook up a real set of gauges and examine the pressure readings on both high low sides AND also check for leaks.

At the very least...buy a cheap A/C thermometer and stick in the middle vent of your vehicle so you can monitor the vent temps. If you see the vent temps diminishing rapidly (in a few days) then we know you have a significant leak and there would be no point adding more refrigerant.

Watch it for a few days and let us know. If you are getting vent temps between 40° and 50° F. (depending upon how hot it is outside), I'd say you are doing pretty good.

Your call as to whether or not to add the remaining can. You have established that the unit is 'capable' of good/better cooling than before...which is good news. Might be best to leave well enough alone for now...until you see if it leaks down. IF it doesn't I'd recommend getting a set of gauges on it and charging appropriately.

Flint.

 

[nissanh]

Add enough until the front window glass (located near the transmission cooler/ below driver side headlight on the AC line) shows no bubbles when the AC compressor is running. As soon as the compressor turns off, you can see through the window it starts bubbling and clears out.

Keep the windows or doors open and AC high when adding freon (rub both front and rear).

If it is leaking, you can try the AC stop leak additive first. If it is a slow leak (takes about a month) then the stop leak may work.

 

[flintknapper]

BTW...that's an absolutely pristine engine bay!

I see your timing belt was changed about 7 years ago and just before the recommended service mileage.

Depending upon the mileage now (and time elapsed) you might be due another T/B change fairly soon?

 

[scwill]

BTW...that's an absolutely pristine engine bay!

I see your timing belt was changed about 7 years ago and just before the recommended service mileage.

Depending upon the mileage now (and time elapsed) you might be due another T/B change fairly soon?

Truck has 130k, I dont believe TB is necessary at this point. The truck has its good and bad traits. Clean Engine being a good trait. Right now Ive got to find the AC leak, VCG is shot and leaking oil, and my brakes in the front are not right. This is my first Toyota, besides all of this stuff I have to fix, Ive been impressed so far.

 

[nissanh]

View attachment 1467034
Truck has 130k, I dont believe TB is necessary at this point. The truck has its good and bad traits. Clean Engine being a good trait. Right now Ive got to find the AC leak, VCG is shot and leaking oil, and my brakes in the front are not right. This is my first Toyota, besides all of this stuff I have to fix, Ive been impressed so far.

Use OEM brake pads all around.