AC troubles...still not good enough.

[Greg94Red392]

I put 3 cans of refridgerant into my AC and its still not as cold as I want it to be. According to the gauge that came with the kit, it could still use a little, but after I added the seconds can the gauge didn't move after I added the 3rd can. I dont understand. Could the gauge be broken? I dont know anything about ACs so maybe its something else besides refridgerant showing its age. I'll list all of my problems.

It takes it about 15 minutes on a 93 degree day to get as cool as it gets.

That's not good enough. Especially when all my other vehicles are cold as ice before I get out of the school parking lot.

[pontiac nino]

Is the compressor turning on? Maybe you have a leak also. 3 cans is alot, enough to overfill the compressor and break it.

[Greg94Red392]

Yes, I know 3 cans is a lot. The thing is the gauge is still telling me I need more. How can I tell if the compressor is/isnt turning on?

[BobbyZ72]

That gauge does not mean anything. If your evap coil is dirty it will read a lower pressure. If the coils under the hood are dirty it will throw the reading off also. Are both your fans running 100%. Or your car may be running to slow, have someone rev the car up to about 1500 rpm and see then. Be careful also...most the the freon in them little cans is mostly leak sealent and oil. I would never use one of those little cans in any of my cars. Take it to a pro to be safe, or you can totally make things much worse on your self.

[Greg94Red392]

Well I mean there is definatly a difference in air temp since I added the cans. It's a lot cooler than it was but cool enough.

[HBHRacing]

was the system totaly empty? if not you ahve now severely overcharged the system. Take it to a pro to diagnose. Your never going to know what is going on untill you can see both hi and low side pressures AND know what they mean.

[BobbyZ72]

agree with that

[Rob Bell]

If it was totally empty you may have gotten air in the system. It would need to be evacuated and re-charged after the leak is found and fixed.

[HBHRacing]

Its not the air thats the problem with an open system as much as it is moisture.


Either way he didn't give emough detail as to the problem and history to make any kind of diagnosis. However 3 can's is a FULL charge. I am assuming that it was already pretty full in which case he is way overcharged now.

[BiH]

you might have a leak

[Dojo2000]

Sounds like you might have a leak somewhere in your system. Take it to a professional so they can find it if there is one. Unfortunately, I had my system recharged 3 times by the same shop before they finally figured out my compressor was leaking.

Also, your A/C condenser sweating on a hot day might not allow the refrigerant to get as cold as possible to get the effect you're looking for. I believe Dominic found a solution to this a while ago by using a tar material he found on the condenser.

[pontiac nino]

Originally posted by Dojo2000:
Unfortunately, I had my system recharged 3 times by the same shop before they finally figured out my compressor was leaking.

Damn man that sux, must've cost quite a bit of money now since the cost of refrigerant is going up.