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Update on My A/C issue

OK, I finally got the A/C working on my '90 Acura Legend...seems it needed just a slight shot of refridgerent. Took less than 1 oz. when the compressor kicked in. measured 51 degrees at the vent which is plenty cold for me. However, after running the air for 10-12 minutes, it peters out and blows room temp. After a new start up, maybe 3-4 hours later, it'll blow ice cold again until another 10 minutes or so. So bottom line is...it seems to have enough freon in it to chill down the cabin of the car. Something, however is not giving it 'lasting power'. Anyone have any idea on what this might be? TIA Jay

Reply to
bajazza
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Make sure you have enough freon in it. Sounds like it's low.

Reply to
thenitedude

I dont think you have it adequately charged. WHAT did you use to charge it, R12??

When you get enough pressure in it, the compressor may turn on for a while but you still may have inadequate refrigerant charge. As the process move on, the pressure of the refrigerant will decrease as the compressor begins to liquify the gas.

You need to put gauges on it, make sure you have reached equilibrium

Reply to
HLS

maybe you have a leak some where. bad hose, bad seal in the pump.

Reply to
boxing

Yes, it was charged with genuine R-12, not the universal stuff.....

Reply to
bajazza

I really don't think it could be a leak as it does seem to recover after you shut down. Someone suggested it might be the drier? Any thoughts on that? Jay

Reply to
bajazza

Yea. First, make sure you have enough freon in it! Sounds like it's low! 51 degrees is to warm. If it isn't low, then it has to much moisture in it. Put a drier on it. Any chance the drier has a site glass? Some imports put drier's with site glasses on well into the

90's.
Reply to
thenitedude

Didn't see a sight glass, but I just priced a new drier and they're well under 15.00 so I'll start there...

Reply to
bajazza

OK first 51 degree vent temperature tells me it isn't charged fully or you have a bigger problem. What I would do would be to recover the R-12, see how much comes out of the system. If the amount matches the label on the compressor then you have other problems. If however it comes out lower than the tag then you might want to change out the drier, have the system vacuumed down and see if it holds. If it holds then you likely don't have a leak. If not hunt down the leak. Then recharge to the amount on the label and test the system. You should get credit for the R-12 in the system and only be charged for any extra.

Reply to
Steve W.

1oz of refrigerant isn't going to make a significant difference to a cars a/c system. 1oz may kick the compressor on, but it won't get you back from low cut off to proper charge. You need a set of gauges or at least a low pressure gauge to get the charge right.

Second though would be that your metering device is clogging up. Again you need a set of gauges on it to see what is happening.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

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