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Message |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1409
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:23 am: | |
Here's a troubleshooting link for AC's, (don't see any 60/120lbs mentioned as being viable)
http://autos.yahoo.com/repair/results/ques022.html
Question: Is there any way I can tell if my air conditioner needs refrigerant?
Answer: There are several ways to determine if your air conditioner is low on refrigerant.
Poor cooling. If your air conditioner isn't putting out much cold air, it could be low on refrigerant. But an A/C system can still produce cool air even if it's lost up to 50% of its original charge of refrigerant. Even so, output will be reduced. If the system is working properly, it should blow air that is approximately 50 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature.
Poor cooling, however, doesn't necessarily mean the refrigerant is low. You might have another kind of problem. So to determine the cause, the system should be diagnosed by a skilled professional who understands air conditioning.
If your A/C system has a "sight glass" (a small round glass window usually located on or near the receiver/drier or accumulator), you can "see" inside the system. Refrigerant is clear so it's hard to tell if the system is full or empty.
If the glass looks clear and there is no cold air output, the system has lost its charge of refrigerant through a leak somewhere in the system. If you see bubbles or foam in the sight glass, it means the system is low on refrigerant and needs to be recharged.
The most accurate means of determining the refrigerant level in your A/C system is with a set of A/C gauges. The gauges will show how much pressure is in the high and low sides of the system. The pressure specs vary from application to application, but generally speaking a high side reading of less than 160 lbs. at 80 degrees F, and/or a low side reading of less than 16 to 22 lbs. at 80 degrees F indicate a need for additional refrigerant.
If you see oily streaks radiating outward around the compressor shaft seal, or wet oily areas around hose connections, it means refrigerant is leaking from your system. This too, may indicate a need for additional refrigerant to replace that which has been lost.
Most A/C systems leak a little refrigerant over time. Newer systems are tighter and leak less than older ones, which may lose up to several ounces of refrigerant a year. After five or six years of service, therefore, it's not unusual for the system to need some additional refrigerant.
If your A/C system can't hold a charge from one season until the next, it has a major leak that should be pinpointed and repaired. The type of refrigerant (R12) used in all vehicles built prior to 1993 causes damage to the Earth's protective ozone layer. So leaks should be repaired to prevent the loss of refrigerant.
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Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member
Username: Tifosi1
Post Number: 609
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 9:32 pm: | |
It was 120lbs, I reduced it to 60LBS and now get about 48 degrees at the vent.
thx
kelly |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1393
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 10:21 am: | |
Actually to do real diagnostics on AC systems you need High & Low side readings.
You have to know both side pressures to give insight into whether the comp. or the expansion valve is the problem.
perfect readings, system full, cond. fan working should be 225/35 lbs...should result in a vent temp in a early 308 of about 40-45 degrees. |
Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member
Username: Tifosi1
Post Number: 607
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 9:40 pm: | |
After the winter I still had 55 lbs @ 72 degrees in the system. The other day I put in two cans. The first can, the temp went down to 45 degress, as I put in the second can the temp went up to 70.
Tonight, the gauge shows 85lbs of pressure @ 82 degrees, when you start the car up and run the AC, the pressure only goes down to 40.
#1, Do I have to much in it?
#2, Do you think the compressor is about to give up the ghost?
Thaks
Klly |
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