I screwed up my a/c. It was cooling well but I was convinced that it needed a little more refrigerant. Well, I added some and then it was cycling on and off. I think it was overcharged, but not according to the gauge. So, I let some out and then started over. Now, the compressor kicks on for like 1 second. WTF? I already hate this bastard. I spent the whole day changing fluids and what have you. The air was fine, don't know why I mess with things...Any thoughts? thanks, bryan
POS a/c
- Thread starter 75pinz
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Well, unfortunately you've learned the first 60 rule: if it isn't broken, leave it alone until it starts smoking or leaking, then wait 2-3k miles, then deal with it.
Are you sure your guage is reading right? Right type and all of that? Has the system been converted or anything?
Back when I first bought my truck, the AC was on the fritz, so I took it somewhere to have it charged - it wasn't but a touch low, but the added pressure - I'm guessing here - did something to my expansion valve (I wound up having to replace it) - It's got a leak somewhere and I've been working on the conversion (for the last two years...and I live in Texas) so I'm guessing that'll work...point is, the added pressure did in an already weak expansion valve and made it worse. Maybe.
However, with it compressor working fine, then fooling with the refrig level, then it clicks on only for a second, it sounds to me like it's low on freon. Did you evacuate the system after discharge? As I understand it, the system needs to be under vacuum to accept more freon.
Time to order the FSM, or download it from http://www.birfield.com - here's what I've got for pressure readings: Low side: 21-28psi. High side: 206-213psi.
Are you sure your guage is reading right? Right type and all of that? Has the system been converted or anything?
Back when I first bought my truck, the AC was on the fritz, so I took it somewhere to have it charged - it wasn't but a touch low, but the added pressure - I'm guessing here - did something to my expansion valve (I wound up having to replace it) - It's got a leak somewhere and I've been working on the conversion (for the last two years...and I live in Texas) so I'm guessing that'll work...point is, the added pressure did in an already weak expansion valve and made it worse. Maybe.
However, with it compressor working fine, then fooling with the refrig level, then it clicks on only for a second, it sounds to me like it's low on freon. Did you evacuate the system after discharge? As I understand it, the system needs to be under vacuum to accept more freon.
Time to order the FSM, or download it from http://www.birfield.com - here's what I've got for pressure readings: Low side: 21-28psi. High side: 206-213psi.
75pinz just role down the windows and use your AC pump for filling up tires or possibly air tools
vtcruiser60
SILVER Star
Roll down your windows and fill up your tires......that one had me laughing......yet another sign that I am addicted to this board.
swank60 said:Well, unfortunately you've learned the first 60 rule: if it isn't broken, leave it alone until it starts smoking or leaking, then wait 2-3k miles, then deal with it.
Words of wisdom
- Thread starter
- #7
1987 FJ60 is the year of this POS
I discharged the system again, and then refilled it with 26 ounces of freon. The compressor kicks in and out very fast. It is full however. The MTHERFCKR was fine before all this...Now, I wonder if perhaps something is clogged internally. The reason I say this is prior to me screwing with it it cooled fine and the low pressure hose would get cold and would have condensation on it. Now, it doesn't. The other hose does where it enters the sight glass...Any thoughts on this little switcheroo? thanks, bryan
I discharged the system again, and then refilled it with 26 ounces of freon. The compressor kicks in and out very fast. It is full however. The MTHERFCKR was fine before all this...Now, I wonder if perhaps something is clogged internally. The reason I say this is prior to me screwing with it it cooled fine and the low pressure hose would get cold and would have condensation on it. Now, it doesn't. The other hose does where it enters the sight glass...Any thoughts on this little switcheroo? thanks, bryan
The only thought that I could offer is get yourself a set of the factory manuals. Again, there's one up on birfield.com - there's a whole trouble shooting and testing section in the chassis & body manual for the AC system. I'd bet your expansion valve is shot, but you'd want to run all of the tests outlined in the manual.
Same A/C boat
Dropped mine off this morning for a check~ $80 for that. Then they found 1 leak, to change the O-ring and evap / fill brought me to $240.
Then, while fixing that one, they came across another leak and blown O-ring.
Now, I'm waiting to hear how much it will be for an A/C overhaul.
At this point, I might sweat it out and wait until the winter to get it fixed. Only bad thing is that it's 114 degrees here in Phoenix today.
Dropped mine off this morning for a check~ $80 for that. Then they found 1 leak, to change the O-ring and evap / fill brought me to $240.
Then, while fixing that one, they came across another leak and blown O-ring.
Now, I'm waiting to hear how much it will be for an A/C overhaul.
At this point, I might sweat it out and wait until the winter to get it fixed. Only bad thing is that it's 114 degrees here in Phoenix today.
go buy an auto ac service manual about $20
a vacuum pump for ac work about $240
a guage set for 134 about $50
charge your buddy's when their ac goes out to recoop costs..
it's still way cheaper for your buddies and if you have more than one car it pays for itself..
a vacuum pump for ac work about $240
a guage set for 134 about $50
charge your buddy's when their ac goes out to recoop costs..
it's still way cheaper for your buddies and if you have more than one car it pays for itself..
tornadoalleycruiser said:
And it's a federal offense. Just FYI.
NOt to do work on 134 yourself it's not against the law. It's $4 a can! at walmart! .. Now r12? yeah.. Can't buy that without a license. But you can get the license online..
I didn't say release the old stuff into the atmosphere.. Have it recycled at a shop with the equipment.. From there you can do your own work! Vacuum down the system, change dryer, etC! Not recycle the freon in the system.. The venting to the atmosphere part is way illegal I agree.
I didn't say release the old stuff into the atmosphere.. Have it recycled at a shop with the equipment.. From there you can do your own work! Vacuum down the system, change dryer, etC! Not recycle the freon in the system.. The venting to the atmosphere part is way illegal I agree.
Last edited:
I was referring to charging ones friends to work on their systems. That's the federal offense.
You can work on your own system no problem. No matter what refrigerant it uses.
And even though the law says you have to be licensed to purchase R-12, they never spelled out an enforcement or punishment for violation, so it's a toothless regulation. In fact, Napa has R-12 in cans for anyone who can afford it. You need a license to buy anything larger than a 12 oz can of any refrigerant except CO2, propane and water.
You can work on your own system no problem. No matter what refrigerant it uses.
And even though the law says you have to be licensed to purchase R-12, they never spelled out an enforcement or punishment for violation, so it's a toothless regulation. In fact, Napa has R-12 in cans for anyone who can afford it. You need a license to buy anything larger than a 12 oz can of any refrigerant except CO2, propane and water.
Oh, yeah, don't need a license to buy ammonia, either.
hj60 said:
I got two un-opened cans with the original price tag still on them.
$1.39 price tag on each can.
Kinda a collectors item ... huh ?
Cahil
P.S. Wish I had bought more, better than the stock market.
Well.. It was just an idea.. I actually don't charge my friends.. WEll.. I charge em beer and they have to bring their own supplies and hang out.. No dropping your junk off and expecting it to be done when you reappear! THose aren't friends..
i'm no shop nor do I play one on TV!..
i'm no shop nor do I play one on TV!..
R-12
Part of the problem as I understand it ... is that R-12 is no longer being manufactured. Peace. The reason for the capture from old systems is so the product may be recycled and used again.
Best guesstimates in the industry is that we have about a 5 year supply of R-12 left ... after that we all are going to be R-134A.
Cahil
Part of the problem as I understand it ... is that R-12 is no longer being manufactured. Peace. The reason for the capture from old systems is so the product may be recycled and used again.
Best guesstimates in the industry is that we have about a 5 year supply of R-12 left ... after that we all are going to be R-134A.
Cahil
I better stock up then. R-12 is soooo much better. I recently paid to get my 93 fzj80 re-charged with R-12 when I developed a leak. Repairing the leak cost as much as the conversion to R-134A, then I had to pay the per/lb rate for R-12 on top of that! It was expensive, but I can now make ice on my dash.
Doc said:
YAA !!!
It's sooo ... funny when I take a friend for a drive and turn on the A/C. About a minute or two later they ask "What's this stuff comming out of the vents ???" I turn to them and say "It's fog ..." and I get this fabulous "deer-in-the-head-lights" look in return.
"Huh ? I didn't know it could do that ???"
and then I add "For the follow up trick ... I'll gonna make it blow 'fog' rings ..."
Cahil
Similar threads
