AC Problem

rob_4187 · #1 06-10-2005, 10:51 AM

My ac wasnt blowing cold so i got a recharge kit fot it. I got the R134A conversion kit and when i finished it blew cold for about 10 minutes then after that I started hearing a clicking noise from under the hood and the rpm's were bouncing from 900 to 800 in idle. The ac compressor is stopping and lifting as the belt spins. It didnt do it until the very end when i put the last can in. Could it be that i charged it too much? I ran it for a few days with the ac on full and it blows hot air and still drops the rpm's. I talked to a shop and they said it might have contaminated the whole system. Any suggestions?

kuoh · #2 06-10-2005, 10:35 PM

Sounds like your compressor is seizing up, it may not be much longer for this world. Did you follow the instructions and have the system evacuated before filling? Also it is recommended to change the drier canister when you do the conversion.

The 92 AC system is supposed to hold 21-25oz of R12, which translates to 16-20oz of R134. The conversion kit I got had 3 15 oz cans, so if you used all 3 cans and didn't have the system evacuated first, then it is probably under way too much pressure.

If you're lucky, the compressor might still work ok once the system is purged and refilled properly. If not then well, I hope you have deep pockets or room for a lot of ice packs in the freezer.

KuoH

ensteele · #3 06-11-2005, 02:50 PM

You probably didn't get enough coolant into it. I have done this before and if there is not enough in it, it will shut down and not cool. If you try to put more into it, it will click again and then start working. Give it a try, and I think that will work.

kuoh · #4 06-11-2005, 03:48 PM

I doubt that. The SVX has a small capacity AC and if he used every can of the retrofit kit, then he has way too much refrigerant, especially if the system wasn't evacuated first. Too much refrigerant is just as bad as not enough, plus the SVX has an under pressure switch that prevents the compressor from running when the level is too low. Also it wouldn't sieze and cause the belt to skip when shutdown, because it just releases the clutch. I don't know if it has an over pressure switch though.

KuoH

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

You probably didn't get enough coolant into it.

rob_4187 · #5 06-11-2005, 06:02 PM

I purged all of the other stuff out before i refilled it. All i used was about 2 1/2 of the cans that came in the kit. Should i purge some of it out or all of it for that matter? Thanks for the replys

Earthworm · #6 06-11-2005, 06:05 PM

Do you have a pressure gauge? If you do, put it on the LOW PRESSURE side and tell us what you see.

kuoh · #7 06-11-2005, 07:01 PM

What do you mean by purge? Did you just release the pressure or actually have it evacuated? There is a difference, as an evacuated system is under a vacuum. What size were the cans of R134? The 92 SVX holds a max of 25 oz of R12, which translates to about 20 oz of R134. Just releasing the R134 isn't going to help, as you likely have air in the system and the compressor is probably damaged. Best thing now is to shell out the bucks and have the AC system cleaned and refilled since you may now have metal shavings in the system. If that doesn't work, you're probably looking at a new compressor and might as well replace the drier too.

KuoH

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_4187

I purged all of the other stuff out before i refilled it. All i used was about 2 1/2 of the cans that came in the kit. Should i purge some of it out or all of it for that matter?

rob_4187 · #8 06-11-2005, 07:50 PM

The kit said to push down on the "out" valve and let any existing coolant release. I did exactly what the picture showed and yellow stuff sprayed all over me. I got all of it out and recharged with (im guessing) about 28 oz od coolant. The directions said it would stop filling when it was done. i'll try to get the pressure after work tomorrow. It goes in to the shop monday morning.

rob_4187 · #9 06-14-2005, 11:05 AM

Ok took it to the shop and they said it needs a new drier and drier valve. The cost for parts and labor is gonna be $500. Does anyone know where i could get the parts and how hard it is to do yourself. If anyone has a walkthrough that would be awsome. Thanks

dcarrb · #10 06-14-2005, 11:54 AM

As memory serves, I paid my guys under $50 for a new filter/dryer when they switched my car to 134a. The part came from NAPA.

dcb

rob_4187 · #11 06-14-2005, 12:20 PM

So if the dryer comes with o-rings will that be the only thing i have to replace? I guess i'm also gonna have to take it in and have it flushed and recharged but thats the least of my concerns. Is this a project that someone fairly mechanically inclined would be able to do?

rob_4187 · #12 06-14-2005, 01:30 PM

OK got the parts, now i need to install. The dryer looks easy, but i have no idea where the expansion valve is. Any help?

kuoh · #13 06-14-2005, 03:23 PM

The drier is easy, but the expansion valve involves quite a bit more work. The How-To folder contains a document on the AC system with the exploded diagram you'll need. However, it isn't really necessary to change the expansion valve on a conversion unless it is actually malfunctioning or you just have a lot of time to kill. I think you'd be better off addressing the problem with the compressor first. At the very least, you should have the system flushed before replacing the drier, then have it evacuated after replacement to remove air and moisture.

KuoH

rob_4187 · #14 06-14-2005, 03:50 PM

The shop said it needed a new drier, expansion valve, and vacumed and recharged. Should i get it vaccumed before i change the drier and valve? The shop didnt say anything about the compressor. Thanks for the help.

rob_4187 · #15 06-14-2005, 03:52 PM

How do i get to the "how to" folder?