AC question

[AbrahamLincoln]

ok, i recharged my ac about two months ago with r134a or whatever its called, i don't believe i filled it up all the way but it was enough to get the compressor running and blow icey cold air.

Now on a sidenote, i have had some evap issues... i capped the end that comes off the throttle body because of rubbing issues that tore up some of the lines that run back to the tank because of my drop and tire rubbing issues and i didnt want to smell the gas or have the leak, so for now I have yet to fix that... i dont know if that has anything to do with the a/c or whatever but I just wanted to throw that out there.

ok the a/c compressor turns on but on full blast its not as icey cold as it used to be on MAX. However, it seems that if I manually turn the fan down a bit it will blow icey again. When its on full fan it blows somewhat chilled but no where near what it used to be.

Question: I'm guessing I have a leak, because I had to add refrigerant in the first place but I was hoping the sealer stuff inside the can would plug it up. Where is a common place to look for a leak?

also when i turn off the car and i have the hood open, i hear a slight leak only for a few seconds but I'm guessing that's the system venting after the car is off and could be normal.

i guess i can go get another small can and add it to get it back up to par but im afraid another two months bam ill be stuck again but luckily summers up here arnt long in north east Pennsylvania, but I would like to fix it so if anyone has any ideas

it could also be that now that its getting hotter, and since I don't have the pressure up all the way to the correct level (im going by what i read here about 37 psi or something) - i just went by the guage that comes with the can to be in the normal level... that possibly that now that it's hotter I need to get the pressure up to that specific psi

 

[Moes8]

spend a few more dollars and get the can with the green leak dye in it, then charge the system and use it until the cooling degrades,then start looking for the green dye around all the fitting,

finally,if you dont see any dye at the fittings,crawl underneath and look up at the bottom of the compressir itself,

thats the leak i just fixed this weekend ,i had 2 used compressor on my car last year and both had leaks at the compressor,i could not believ how long i chased this leak only to find it leaking at the comp, and on 2 different ones to boot.

i just installed a new comp and hopefully now all is good.

 

[AbrahamLincoln]

ah cool thanks, ill try that def cuz i have to fill it up to the correct psi. if i start seeing green die gotcha, but if you had 2 compressor that were leaky chances are mines got a slight leak. After all it leaked from somewhere right, ac just doesnt stop blowing cold unless theres a leak. but its a minor one i bet so hopefully another 15 dollar can will get me through the summer. or ill spring for the green dye, cant hurt.

how much did a new compressor runya?

 

[turborich]

The noise you hear after the a/c is turned off is the refrigerant equalizing & is normal. It is also considered normal for a system to leak out about 6 oz per year due to the constant vibrations from the engine/car.

Go to harbor freight tools & pick up a set of a/c gauges. they are only about $35 bucks or so when on sale. You should really be monitoring the low & high sides to be safe. The pressure will vary depending on the ambient air temp.

If you can't get gauges then add the 134 a little at a time & wait about 2-3 minutes in between, put a thermometer in the middle vent & keep the a/c on max, the temp will get colder as you add it, as soon as it starts to rise STOP. You should be just fine doing it this way.

Good luck

 

[Moes8]

how much did a new compressor runya?

$155

 

[poniesviii]

I paid $75 at a local salvage yard, I fibbed though.. and said I could get a rebuilt for 150 when they stated they needed 150 for a used, so they cut it in half. I fib alot at salvage yards when they sound greedy. sometimes it works. Thing is, our compresser is the same as in the taurus and sable, and probably thunderbirds. They're f'g plentiful, and I was offended to pay 150 for something that abundant.

 

[AbrahamLincoln]

i filled it up, i was always a bit low now im holding at 36, the compressor constantly runs not on and off its ice cold! no leaks i think! ICE COLD! cost me another 13 bucks. Im not sure if I have a leak or not or if its just because i didnt fill it up all the way where it needed to be last time but now its proper. thanks. I'm sure i have a slight leak, 13 years later seals start to get old.

 

[Moes8]

I paid $75 at a local salvage yard, I fibbed though.. and said I could get a rebuilt for 150 when they stated they needed 150 for a used, so they cut it in half. I fib alot at salvage yards when they sound greedy. sometimes it works. Thing is, our compresser is the same as in the taurus and sable, and probably thunderbirds. They're f'g plentiful, and I was offended to pay 150 for something that abundant.

my irst 2 compressors were salvage yard at $50 each, after 2 bad ones i said F%^& it and bought new.not even reman,but new,

i was sick of pulling that damn thing out every 2 months for a summer.

 

[kustomizingkid]

Compressor at the yard I work at are $21 plus a $3 core.

 

[unity]

For about $14 you can get an o-ring kit for the Mark. Actually its for a few Fords. But with the right line separator tool you can disconnect and replace the o-rings. Very easy to do, but will require a vacuum of the system, etc...