1996 4 cyl. 2.3 2wd ac issue

[Amb1205]

Looking for some help as to where to start on my ac the ac didn't work on the truck when I bought it about a month ago. First thing I did is add a 12oz can of 134 and a little bit of another. The ac started working after I added the freon and the gauges read around 40 on the low side and I think around 180 on the high side. My issue is it seems to be working but not as cold as I'd think it should be. But the bigger issue I'm having is when I'm getting higher rpms before shifting the ac compressor is constantly kicking on and off about every second. If I let it idle at a stand still the compressor runs as should and the ac does get fairly cold after a while. I also checked the low pressure line by the accumulater and it doesn't seem as cold as should be? Should I do a recover and try and recharge the whole system? Or do you think a new orifice tube and accumulater would possibly solve the issue?

 

[dmb2613]

Drain and draw a vacuum on it and recharge with the correct amount of Freon

 

[Amb1205]

Will do, will keep y'all posted on the results

 

[Uncle Gump]

I moved your post to the Heating and A/C forum.

I sounds to me like the system in low on refrigerant. The symptoms you have all point to being low on charge. When at higher RPM's... the compressor can pull the low side down much quicker and takes the system below the low pressure switch cut off threshold.

 

[Amb1205]

I moved your post to the Heating and A/C forum.

I sounds to me like the system in low on refrigerant. The symptoms you have all point to being low on charge. When at higher RPM's... the compressor can pull the low side down much quicker and takes the system below the low pressure switch cut off threshold.

Thankyou for the reply, will keep you posted on the results.

 

[Uncle Gump]

There is a trick to filling the A/C system too... when you don't know how much to add. I wouldn't empty it and put the know good quantity in. There is a far simpler way.

Technically... the system is full when the evaporator inlet and outlet pipes are equal in temperature. It works every time. You can get it really close with just lightly touching the two pipes with your fingers until the temps feel the same. You would be surprised how sensative your fingers can be. If you have an infrared thermometer even better. The trick is to add small amounts and let things stabilize during the process.

Thankyou for the reply, will keep you posted on the results.

 

[19Walt93]

The system needs to be evacuated to get any air out before charging it, just blowing freon into it would make it cool somewhat but it's not the right way. Also, if it's low on freon there is a leak that needs to be fixed.

 

[Amb1205]

The system needs to be evacuated to get any air out before charging it, just blowing freon into it would make it cool somewhat but it's not the right way. Also, if it's low on freon there is a leak that needs to be fixed.

Thankyou for that tip! Will definitely try this when I go to recharge again

 

[Uncle Gump]

The system needs to be evacuated to get any air out before charging it, just blowing freon into it would make it cool somewhat but it's not the right way. Also, if it's low on freon there is a leak that needs to be fixed.

I completely agree that there is a leak and needs to be fixed. But the only way air gets into the system if it is completely empty or the system was opened. If there was any refrigerant in the system before recharge... air will not enter the system. My truck has a super small leak and I can't find the source (yet... leaks only get worse). One can of refrigerant over the 6 years I've owned it. Next time it starts blowing warm... I will check for leaks again.

I should have been clearer with my last post on filling the system. Adding the known amount of refrigerant is not the only way to fill the system properly. Monitoring evaporator inlet and outlet pipe temps works perfectly.

 

[19Walt93]

I completely agree that there is a leak and needs to be fixed. But the only way air gets into the system if it is completely empty or the system was opened. If there was any refrigerant in the system before recharge... air will not enter the system. My truck has a super small leak and I can't find the source (yet... leaks only get worse). One can of refrigerant over the 6 years I've owned it. Next time it starts blowing warm... I will check for leaks again.

I should have been clearer with my last post on filling the system. Adding the known amount of refrigerant is not the only way to fill the system properly. Monitoring evaporator inlet and outlet pipe temps works perfectly.

Charging it without evacuating first pushes the air in your hose into the system.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Charging it without evacuating first pushes the air in your hose into the system.

I always bleed the hose. Again... with some pressure in the system it works every time. You also always bleed the hose connection when you connect a can of refrigerant. I believe when done right... you can prevent any air from entering the system.

Understand... I'm not saying you're wrong. He has a leak and if it can be fixed it should be. On my truck... I'm not throwing hundreds of dollars at a leak I can't find. When it starts to not cool... I'm going to top it up and search for a leak again.

To the OP... You certainly have a leak. You absolutely need to leak check it... then repair whatever you find. If you find a leak... seek out someone with a recovery machine. Recover... Repair... Evacuate... Recharge.

 

[Amb1205]

I always bleed the hose. Again... with some pressure in the system it works every time. You also always bleed the hose connection when you connect a can of refrigerant. I believe when done right... you can prevent any air from entering the system.

Understand... I'm not saying you're wrong. He has a leak and if it can be fixed it should be. On my truck... I'm not throwing hundreds of dollars at a leak I can't find. When it starts to not cool... I'm going to top it up and search for a leak again.

To the OP... You certainly have a leak. You absolutely need to leak check it... then repair whatever you find. If you find a leak... seek out someone with a recovery machine. Recover... Repair... Evacuate... Recharge.

Thankyou for the info I bought a vaccum pump and gauges, I'm going to evacuate the system, change out the orifice tube and pull a vaccum. Will check for leaks and repair if needed and recharge. I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Amb1205]

After changing orifice tube, drawing a vaccum and didn't see any leaks, and recharging the system, to proper amount, I no longer have any issues with the ac compressor kicking on and off and ac is cold as it's ever been, thankyou everyone for the help. Also of anyone sees this post I wanted to note that I used the white cover for a roll of Teflon tape cut it to size and used that to wrap around evaporator line and pushed in onto spring connector to remove line for orifice replacement. That way I didn't have to spend money on the disconnect tool kit.