Archived A/C weak

[SEmerson]

My ac on my 97 started to give out. The compressor runs. It cycles on and off. I put a little freon in it on the low side. It didn't seem to like it. It works less now and didn't take much. What should I look for.



I was going to havasue tomarrow so this is a real bummer. It will be 100-110 there.

 

[jimk]

Are you sure the system is low on 134a. Could you have a codenser that is stoped up with mud or leaves,ect. The high side will be very high. I some times use a water hose to run over the codensor when charging it as that really helps. Adding oil all of the time is not a good idea. Make sure the system has good air flow across the coils. good luck Jim

 

[SEmerson]

I bumped it up to close to 200 highside. That was Just a little freon. It will sit there for awhile then it skys to 300-350. Low side is about 35-40. 90 ambient. It now works great driving down the road. With 90 degree ambient I can get 20 degrees or so with the fan on low. But as soon as I stop I get 70-80 out the vents. Should My engine fan clutch come on to lower it. I don't recall hearing it.

 

[wtrenholm]

Sounds like your fan clutch took a dump. Good cooling on the hiway due to forced air flow, poor cooling when sitting still makes the call. As mentioned, make sure there is ample air flow through all the stuff up front.



You need to charge by weight not by cooling, especially on a orifice tube system. It's pretty important to have proper charge so the evap isn't starved or flooded and still have good condensing in the condenser. High side pressures are dependent on system heat load and ambient conditions so they aren't real good charge indicators, but are a good indicator of condenser effiency.



Good luck,

Wayne