AC Problem Help, Anybody got any more information?

[Kirk Montez]

OK GUYS,



My AC is not working, issue is there is no refrigerant in the system.



Reason I know this is I tried filling and found the leak, thats the problem.



Leak is located on the block that is attached to the compressor. On this small block that has the ac line running into it is a small nozzle. The nozzle is facing upward and can be taken out with a 14 millimeter wrench. The nozzle does have a hole on top and that is where the leak is.. Why is the refrigerant coming out the top of the nozzle? IT is easy easy to see this nozzle as all you have to do is go to the drivers side engine compartment and look directly at the ac compressor. ITs on the top of the small block attached to the compressor. What is this nozzle as the refrigerant is coming out of there.......... HELP





re: AC problem HELP by ncranchero,3/1/2009 19:53 ET



I think you're describing the relief valve.....

An A/C compressor pressure relief valve is incorporated in the compressor A/C manifold and tube to:

relieve unusually high refrigerant system discharge pressure buildups.

prevent damage to the A/C compressor and other system components.

avoid total refrigerant loss by closing after the excessive pressure has been relieved.







Did you use a set of A/C gauges or a "add-a-charge" with only a hose to try and charge it.?

Message was edited by ncranchero on 3/1/2009 at 20:28 ET





re: AC problem HELP by kmontez,3/1/2009 21:44 ET



Only an add on hose. I thought the system was empty, cause the compressor wouldnot turn on until I put some refrigerant in it. Basically the compressor did not come on until

I put refrigerant. Then when I did the relief valve was leaking.. Even when I turned off the truck.. Could it be messed up .

 

[scott degroot]

Not unusual for the pressure relief valve to go bad, i have seen this numerous times before. On another note I highly discourage the use of the store bought recharge systems. The cans have oil in them and when you use them you end up with excessive oil in the ac system which will result in poor ac performance. Plus the oil that is in the cans may not be compatible with what is in your system and the result can be basically acid eating away at your ac system from the inside out. Some things should be left to professionals. Now that your system is empty and you have inadvertantly introduced escessive oil into it your best bet is to get the system completely flushed of any oil, a new and correct charge of oil put back in, replace the valve, dryer and orifice tube and get it pulled into a vacuum for about 45 minutes and then recharged.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Ditto what l1tech says. You need the flush to get the unknown crud out of your system from the "do-it-yourself" charging kit, it will sludge up to clog your system, soften your seals to a gooy mess, plus the acid will do a number on the compressor and aluminum coils.



Be sure they pull at least a 400 micron vacuum to get the moisture out too. A new receiver-dryer is also well advised.



Air conditioner work is not rocket science, but it is one area where it definately pays to have the right tools, equipment, and training. It is so easy to ruin an otherwise good system, and the replacement parts are crazy expensive.

 

[Richard L]

To properly recharge your AC system you first need get all the moisture out which occurs when you get a leak. That involves replacing the descecant bags inside the accumulator/dryer and probably replace the orfice tube. Then they system must be evacuated with a vaccum pump and then recharged with refrigerant R134. It is always good to add compressor oil when recharging since you will have lost some oil when the system lost the refrigerant. Failing to replace the lost compressor oil will destroy the compressor rather quickly. That is why they systems are usually flushed so that you can add the proper full amount of compressor oil rather than trying to guess as to how much was lost vs how much remains in the system.



I do not recommend that anyone just buy a can of R134 to recharge their system. If you don't have the proper tools and AC knowledge you will usually screw things up worse, and have to pay more for repairs than if you just took it to a qualified AC shop.



...Rich

 

[Kirk Montez]

Good info, i will take it somewhere

you guys are good....



kirk