A/C Compressor clicking

[Cowboy24v]

Ever since I could remember owning this truck it's always had bad a/c. From either blowing hot or not blowing at all. Few months back I replaced the entire vacuum line due to only blowing into defrosters and that fixed that issue.

It blows out all vents like normal now but it'll barely be cold. I charged the a/c with R-134a a couple months ago and it was colder but only "decent". Ever since maybe a week or two after charging it, it got even less cold. Keep in mind the a/c compressor clicks on and off this entire time I just never noticed it

Yesterday I decided to try and use the rest of what I still had in that can which wasn't much but I noticed when I used it all up the compressor stopped clicking off and it just stayed on this time which makes me think if I just need to charge the crap out of it with freon, maybe some that has leak sealers in case I got one.

I've been doing some research and I hear things like I don't need a new compressor, just charge it with a couple cans, or replace the orifice tube and accumulator, etc. Looking for more insight on what I should do to get some damn cold a/c for this summer!

 

[BSeyler]

Never use leak sealers. They will plug up more than a leak.

 

[petersonj]

@Cowboy24v, you haven't mentioned the year of your truck or what AC components have been replaced, if any, and miles of operation. Your symptoms are indicative of an AC system with a slow leak.

I've been doing some research and I hear things like I don't need a new compressor,

Actually, on my truck, the compressor seal has been the only leak I have ever had; I am the original owner. I replaced the compressor in 2017 at 270,000 miles on the truck. The mechanical face seal had been leaking for a couple of years before I replaced the compressor. The compressor is the only component with a dynamic seal, all other seals are static and are not likely to leak. A condenser damaged by a rock is a possibility. An evaporator core leaking from rubbing against something is also a possibility.

I bought a used AC recovery system so that I could find out how much refrigerant was leaking out. I just made an educated guess regarding the leaking compressor seal, but with the replacement compressor, only a couple of ounces of refrigerant has leaked out since. The truck is now at 355,000 miles.

- John

 

[Cowboy24v]

@Cowboy24v, you haven't mentioned the year of your truck or what AC components have been replaced, if any, and miles of operation. Your symptoms are indicative of an AC system with a slow leak.



Actually, on my truck, the compressor seal has been the only leak I have ever had; I am the original owner. I replaced the compressor in 2017 at 270,000 miles on the truck. The mechanical face seal had been leaking for a couple of years before I replaced the compressor. The compressor is the only component with a dynamic seal, all other seals are static and are not likely to leak. A condenser damaged by a rock is a possibility. An evaporator core leaking from rubbing against something is also a possibility.

I bought a used AC recovery system so that I could find out how much refrigerant was leaking out. I just made an educated guess regarding the leaking compressor seal, but with the replacement compressor, only a couple of ounces of refrigerant has leaked out since. The truck is now at 355,000 miles.

- John

2002 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with a 116k miles, haven't replaced any a/c components, I just used up an entire can of freon earlier today to get it maxed out full yet it's still not as cold as it should be. I'll put the gauge on tomorrow to see the difference if any.

 

[BigPapa]

One can won’t “max it out”. You need to put the gauges on it and see what’s going on.

 

[fbuchynski]

Something else to consider is air in the system. Air in the system will effect its performance. Depending on how you charge the system and/or how often it has been played with, may have introduced some air into the system.

 

[Ozymandias]

One can won’t “max it out”. You need to put the gauges on it and see what’s going on.

Yep i needed a full four cans of R134 till the low side pressure stayed steady where it should. One can was a joke.. that barely moved the gauge.

 

[Cowboy24v]

One can won’t “max it out”. You need to put the gauges on it and see what’s going on.

Well I had the gauge on it too and I filled it up as far as I it was safe to do so.

 

[Cowboy24v]

Yep i needed a full four cans of R134 till the low side pressure stayed steady where it should. One can was a joke.. that barely moved the gauge.

When I did it, one can moved the gauge all the way to "full" even close to surpassing it

 

[SSage]

My A/C in the 95 has always been ice cold and so for hasn't given me a bit of a problem. I just put a 20 ounce can of AC Pro in my 2003 and its actually working surprisingly good. Put it at the 30 psi mark on the AC Pro gauge thingy. I gotta leak somewhere, but its really slow thankfully. I thought a blend door had broken, it was blowing hot air out of the passenger side. But its working good now with a large can in it.

 

[BigPapa]

I’ve had to replace my liquid line on both the ‘95 and ‘98. The ‘95 actually rubbed a hole where the lines cross coming through the core support but the ‘98 leaked where the Schrader fitting is. I’ve been waiting on the compressor to go out for the past 350K miles but it just keeps going.

 

[Ozymandias]

When I did it, one can moved the gauge all the way to "full" even close to surpassing it

That was with the Engine running and AC switched on? If so then yep your system is full.

When I filled mine, the needle on gauge jumped up as soon as I opened the valve, but settled down within 30 seconds, I had to repeat over and over till it stayed steady.