Dash AC not cold
I'm wondering if my expectations for my Dash AC are set too high. It just doesn't seem to blow very cold. When it is about 85 out it comes out about 63 out of the dash with an AC temperature gauge. I ...
Forum Discussion
buystockinfun,
I'm sorry to hear of your A/C woes, hopefully things will be fine soon.
I do have to say, though, as I read through this thread, that there are parts of your posts which suggest that you know "just enough to be dangerous", as they say. LOL A/C is not difficult work, but it IS precise work. And you can cause some expensive damage to components if procedures aren't followed properly. Proper equipment, gauge set, accurate thermometers and if possible, having the pressure/temperature/humidity charts for the system you're working on, make it easier to properly diagnose the system. As has been pointed out, too much refrigerant decreases system efficiency, so it's a very delicate balance.
I believe you mentioned several times about "draining" the system. It's very important that the system be evacuated in a controlled manner. Not just "drained" as the term implies. If you just open a schrader valve and let the refrigerant out, it'll take a lot of the system oil with it. The proper oil charge in the system is very important as well. Each component that is removed will remove some of the oil with it. That oil should be measured upon removal, and an equal amount installed upon assembly. If you're going to flush the entire system anyway, then it doesn't matter much as you'll be starting from fresh with the oil charge.
IF you think the system is overfilled now, I'd put some gauges on it, try to find the proper charts for your system and see how it performs based on the charts. Check the air temp leaving the vents in the moho. While releasing R-134 into the atmosphere is prohibited by law, IF you can figure out a way to slowly release some of the refrigerant, then you can stop and watch the temp in the vents. If it goes down (colder), you probably do have too much refrigerant in the system. If it goes up, you might not have enough. If it stays the same, try releasing a bit more. Of course could have other problems. But seeing as it might be overcharged, the cheapest and easiest route at this point is to slowly reduce the charge while watching the effect on outlet temps. This will take a while as you need to give some time for the system to stabilize. Even before you start doing anything, you have to let the system run for a while to stabilize the temperature of the ducting/vents etc.
If all else fails with no improvement, then you'll be where you're headed now. Opening the system, replacing some common components, flushing the system, adding oil and recharging. Again, keep everything clean. Once the system has been flushed and reassembled, pull a vacuum on the system and let it stay for a couple of hours to make sure there are no leaks.
Good Luck, I hope you find the source of your problem.
~Rick
I'm sorry to hear of your A/C woes, hopefully things will be fine soon.
I do have to say, though, as I read through this thread, that there are parts of your posts which suggest that you know "just enough to be dangerous", as they say. LOL A/C is not difficult work, but it IS precise work. And you can cause some expensive damage to components if procedures aren't followed properly. Proper equipment, gauge set, accurate thermometers and if possible, having the pressure/temperature/humidity charts for the system you're working on, make it easier to properly diagnose the system. As has been pointed out, too much refrigerant decreases system efficiency, so it's a very delicate balance.
I believe you mentioned several times about "draining" the system. It's very important that the system be evacuated in a controlled manner. Not just "drained" as the term implies. If you just open a schrader valve and let the refrigerant out, it'll take a lot of the system oil with it. The proper oil charge in the system is very important as well. Each component that is removed will remove some of the oil with it. That oil should be measured upon removal, and an equal amount installed upon assembly. If you're going to flush the entire system anyway, then it doesn't matter much as you'll be starting from fresh with the oil charge.
IF you think the system is overfilled now, I'd put some gauges on it, try to find the proper charts for your system and see how it performs based on the charts. Check the air temp leaving the vents in the moho. While releasing R-134 into the atmosphere is prohibited by law, IF you can figure out a way to slowly release some of the refrigerant, then you can stop and watch the temp in the vents. If it goes down (colder), you probably do have too much refrigerant in the system. If it goes up, you might not have enough. If it stays the same, try releasing a bit more. Of course could have other problems. But seeing as it might be overcharged, the cheapest and easiest route at this point is to slowly reduce the charge while watching the effect on outlet temps. This will take a while as you need to give some time for the system to stabilize. Even before you start doing anything, you have to let the system run for a while to stabilize the temperature of the ducting/vents etc.
If all else fails with no improvement, then you'll be where you're headed now. Opening the system, replacing some common components, flushing the system, adding oil and recharging. Again, keep everything clean. Once the system has been flushed and reassembled, pull a vacuum on the system and let it stay for a couple of hours to make sure there are no leaks.
Good Luck, I hope you find the source of your problem.
~Rick
