waltermitty

Using the Walmart AC recharge bottle my son got his AC running again and working, for a few months. Now, the compressor turns on with the AC but it just blows hot air. The gauge pressure on the re-charge bottle reads normal. Anyone know where to start looking? TIA

ac man

sounds like you need to check you high side pressure to high a pressure causes liguid to flash at the incorrect point. also might want to check you orifice might be clogged. good luck the ac man

Willys55

The truth is , you really need to put on a set of gauges and "see" what is really happening, you can not use the "walmart" recharge kit gauge as a guide. Also could just be a 1/2 pound low because it leaked out on you again.

djb383

Does the compressor cycle on/off? Does the accumulator/dryer and low side metal line get cold?

Orifice tube is non-checkable, it's "built-in" the liquid line.

waltermitty

Don't have that info yet. I'll try to get an in-person look at it today. If the accumulator dryer side is getting cold the AC is working and the problem is elsewhere?

waltermitty

Good point(s)

waltermitty

I'll get the gauges on it today if possible.

waltermitty

Compressor cycles off and on, don't know about the tube yet. He's bringing it over this afternoon. I'll know more about the symptoms then.

waltermitty

Ok...got the gauges hooked up this afternoon. High and low sides are both reading low according to the ambient temp chart in the FSM. The compressor cycles on and off 10 times per minute. The trouble shooting tree says add refrigerant. Made the attempt but the suction side doesn't take the refrigerant even though the gauge shows suction. I'm assuming that means there is zero flow. Oh...suction side is warm to the touch.

Opinions invited.

jjstultz

How low is low? Your system may have compressed air in it and no refrigerant.

waltermitty

How would compressed air get into the AC system?

waltermitty

It is low enough that it is right at the edge of needing refrigerant according to the FSM.

waltermitty

Any AC gurus on the list?

Gauges indicate low freon.
The pressure drops on the low side when the compressor comes on. The pressure rises on the high side when the compressor comes on.

There are right at 10 cycles per minute.

Tree suggests adding freon. The system won't take any. Where should I start looking/testing?

waltermitty

Anyone???

waltermitty

Well...apparently all it needed was a charge of 134A. I hooked a 30lb pig to it and gave it a couple of shots. I couldn't get the bottled stuff from the "zone" to go in. The discharge from the air dryer is slow to get cold but does eventually. I'm thinking maybe a bit too much oil in the system??? Anyway, it was nearly 100 degrees here today and the comfort level in the boy's '01 XJ Sport was definitely acceptable.

I got my '98SE back!