Has anyone seen my 80's air conditioning?

[lvanst]

I don't know where it went. It was there this morning, but now I just get a 110 degree jet engine idling in my face...

Compressor runs. No visible damage or leaks (yes, I checked for road hazard damage to the dryer/condensor). She drank 2 cans of R134 without coming back online, so I'm suspecting a sizeable hole somewhere...

Ideas, codolences, prayers, monetary donations to the cause... ?

 

[azTony]

I believe condolences are in order. That sucks this time of year.

 

[wspastorbryan]

I have some hoses and junk from a 91, but I don't know if it's compatible.

 

[BrotherRob]

Honk your horn and remind everyone of an old Arizona traffic rule. The guy with his windows open always has the right of way.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I don't know where it went. It was there this morning, but now I just get a 110 degree jet engine idling in my face...

Compressor runs. No visible damage or leaks (yes, I checked for road hazard damage to the dryer/condensor). She drank 2 cans of R134 without coming back online, so I'm suspecting a sizeable hole somewhere...

Ideas, codolences, prayers, monetary donations to the cause... ?

PM Murf

Be glad you have a fleet to choose from

Ill say a prayer but...

 

[Living in the Past]

If your sure the compressor is running you may have another problem. Adding refrigerant could make it worse. The 91 probably used R12 so the refrigerant system would have been redesigned for the R134A. Oil and seals were different. The 91 hoses could work but I would made sure. Does the reciever/dryer have the site glass on top? If not it's really best to weight a new charge in after evacuating the system.

 

[lvanst]

Site glass is clear, no evidence of foaming (low coolant). System is not empty because AC works for a few minutes after a cold-start. After running for about 5 minutes from cold-start, compressor starts cycling every 3-5 seconds and temp of output air continually rises...

Sounds like an under-filled system that is leaking slowly?

 

[lvanst]

Honk your horn and remind everyone of an old Arizona traffic rule. The guy with his windows open always has the right of way.

LOL! That's how I drive all the time...

 

[Tools R Us]

Site glass is clear, no evidence of foaming (low coolant). System is not empty because AC works for a few minutes after a cold-start. After running for about 5 minutes from cold-start, compressor starts cycling every 3-5 seconds and temp of output air continually rises...

Sounds like an under-filled system that is leaking slowly?

If the compressor runs it has charge. It is hard to see the problem over the net, so guesses:

The system can be turned off by several sensors, temp, pressure, etc. The cycling at operating temp sounds like overheat and/or over pressure. R134 is picky about charge amount, especially at high temps, it expands more with temp than R12, often slightly under charge works better in our climate.

The cycling could be the high pressure switch turning it off, this often from heat and often from insufficient airflow over the condenser (fan clutch?). One way to test; run it until it starts to cycle, spray water over the condenser, if the cycling stops, it is likely an overheat/over pressure problem. Most often insufficient airflow, but also can be electrical, overcharge, etc, problems.

 

[GBinAZ]

Ive got a brand new set of manifold gauges for R134 that I bought from Rex at Coolstream. You can borrow them if you think it might help with the diagnosis.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Im guessing compressor clutch, but I would check pressures with a manifold. Mike

 

[medtro]

Similar problem here.

 

[lvanst]

Sounding a lot like expansion valve. Erratic pressure on low side, works fine until warmed up. Fan clutch is fine...

I really appreciate the help guys...

 

[1972FJ55]

Sounding a lot like expansion valve. Erratic pressure on low side, works fine until warmed up. Fan clutch is fine...

I really appreciate the help guys...

When it quits working, do you know what the high-side pressure is reading? What you're describing is classic over-charge. My .02