Hi, this is my first post on the forum, but I've been a member for a long time. At the beginning of summer I purchased an LX450 from another member. It was in good shape, but needed some maintenance and love...More on all of that later.
One of the known issues was the AC. After studying the system, I found that the compressor was leaking. So, I replaced the compressor, dryer (the old dryer's desiccant bag was broken, saw some evidence throughout the system), and orifice tube and charged it up. It started cooling pretty well, but after about 5-10 minutes the compressor started cycling rapidly. It would be on for 10 seconds off for 2, on for 5 seconds off for 1, etc. It seemed to be related to high pressure. As the under hood temps rose it would begin the cycling. I found that running water over the condenser would prevent the cycling and seemed to make everything work. A set of manifold gauges showed too low on the low pressure side, and way to high on the high pressure side. So, I thought the condenser could have a blockage.
I put in a new condenser and used air to blow through the lines (no solvent though). I evacuated and charged it back up, and the system seemed to be working better, but still cycles every once and a while. The gauges still show too high of pressure on the high side and too low on the low side. (20psi, and ~350psi)
I think I still have a blockage. I've tried searching for the blockage by taking temp. readings along the lines with an IR thermometer. They all seem pretty constant with small increases or decreases except for one. Right after the Expansion valve the low pressure line has one junction while running parallel to the exhaust manifold. One the side closer to the firewall the temp reads ~220F, but on the side after the junction, closer to the compressor it jumps to ~320F. These temps are on the metal lines, not the rubber hose which is closer to the compressor.
....So, long story short, before I go back into the system, does anyone have any suggestions? Is the temp jump where my blockage is? Did I get a bad expansion valve? Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance. I've always loved the wealth of knowledge and information on this forum.
One of the known issues was the AC. After studying the system, I found that the compressor was leaking. So, I replaced the compressor, dryer (the old dryer's desiccant bag was broken, saw some evidence throughout the system), and orifice tube and charged it up. It started cooling pretty well, but after about 5-10 minutes the compressor started cycling rapidly. It would be on for 10 seconds off for 2, on for 5 seconds off for 1, etc. It seemed to be related to high pressure. As the under hood temps rose it would begin the cycling. I found that running water over the condenser would prevent the cycling and seemed to make everything work. A set of manifold gauges showed too low on the low pressure side, and way to high on the high pressure side. So, I thought the condenser could have a blockage.
I put in a new condenser and used air to blow through the lines (no solvent though). I evacuated and charged it back up, and the system seemed to be working better, but still cycles every once and a while. The gauges still show too high of pressure on the high side and too low on the low side. (20psi, and ~350psi)
I think I still have a blockage. I've tried searching for the blockage by taking temp. readings along the lines with an IR thermometer. They all seem pretty constant with small increases or decreases except for one. Right after the Expansion valve the low pressure line has one junction while running parallel to the exhaust manifold. One the side closer to the firewall the temp reads ~220F, but on the side after the junction, closer to the compressor it jumps to ~320F. These temps are on the metal lines, not the rubber hose which is closer to the compressor.
....So, long story short, before I go back into the system, does anyone have any suggestions? Is the temp jump where my blockage is? Did I get a bad expansion valve? Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance. I've always loved the wealth of knowledge and information on this forum.
