Recharged AC. Pressure unchanged. Blows cold though.

trdrun

trdrun

New member
Just recharged my 4runner with a full 18oz of R-134. The pressure when the condenser kicks on remained the same before and after the recharge. Why? It blows cold air though. How cold? Couldn't tell you, it is later at night and it's not really warm. But it blows colder than ambient for sure. What should I do? Grab another can of R-134 and attempt to recharge. The system is 20oz or 28oz?

Condenser ON: 25pis
Condenser OFF: 40psi
 
Register to hide this ad
Was the system empty before you put the r134a in there?

Careful that you dont add too much in there. Normally your vehicles specific capacity should be on a sticker near the radiator. My 96 takes between 21-24 oz according to the sticker.
 
I don't believe it was empty before. It blew noticeably cool but not as cool as my buddy's new car.
 
Without knowing high side pressure it's hard to give advice... If you're using that quick fill garbage from a parts store then you could cause more harm than good
 
Honestly no.... High side pressure is crucial if you can borrow or rent a set of gauges you'll be much better off
 
Skidmarcx said:
Honestly no.... High side pressure is crucial if you can borrow or rent a set of gauges you'll be much better off
Click to expand...



He could do the bubble test.

Look at the sight glass on top of the drier. You might need a flashlight. Have your future Ex-wife turn the AC on.

Within 3 or so seconds, You should see bubbles appear and then disappear into a steady stream of liquid.

If it continues to bubble, then the freon is low.


To check to see it there is too much freon.

While looking at the sight glass, have your Future Ex-wife turn the 4runner off. The liquid should start to bubble up and disappear in less than 3 seconds. If it takes longer, then there is too much freon.


It is better to have the gauges but this will do for your problem.


BTW Check the Heater valve and make sure it is completely off. With some age, they leak. Get some vise grips or a c clamp and pinch the heater hose. See if it gets cooler in the 4runner.
 
Singtoe said:
He could do the bubble test.

Look at the sight glass on top of the drier. You might need a flashlight. Have your future Ex-wife turn the AC on.

Within 3 or so seconds, You should see bubbles appear and then disappear into a steady stream of liquid.

If it continues to bubble, then the freon is low.


To check to see it there is too much freon.

While looking at the sight glass, have your Future Ex-wife turn the 4runner off. The liquid should start to bubble up and disappear in less than 3 seconds. If it takes longer, then there is too much freon.


It is better to have the gauges but this will do for your problem.


BTW Check the Heater valve and make sure it is completely off. With some age, they leak. Get some vise grips or a c clamp and pinch the heater hose. See if it gets cooler in the 4runner.
Click to expand...

The bubble test stumps me.

I know I have exactly 22 ounces of 134A in my system, and I get constant bubbles while its running. And it takes more than 3 seconds for the bubbles to go away after shut off.

I do believe my heater valve is leaking though, so I am going to get that replaced.
 
The sight glass appears cloudy/white all the time. Before AC is turned on, during the time it starts up, and long after it has stopped. I guess I am low on freon?

I compared my sight glass with the 2nd photo in this thread post:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/90738-ac-recharge-4.html#post1099799

It looks like exactly like so. Also, I measured the time of the AC cycles. It is on for ~20 seconds before cycling off. Then when pressure builds up 40psi, it cycles on again. Pressure slowly drops to 25psi, stay there for <10 sec, then cycles off. This might be more indication that I'm low on freon perhaps?? The condenser shuts off because there is not enough freon to keep the system pressured.

BTW. Why the "future Ex-wife"? Tough times?
 
trdrun said:
The sight glass appears cloudy/white all the time. Before AC is turned on, during the time it starts up, and long after it has stopped. I guess I am low on freon?

I compared my sight glass with the 2nd photo in this thread post:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/90738-ac-recharge-4.html#post1099799

It looks like exactly like so. Also, I measured the time of the AC cycles. It is on for ~20 seconds before cycling off. Then when pressure builds up 40psi, it cycles on again. Pressure slowly drops to 25psi, stay there for <10 sec, then cycles off. This might be more indication that I'm low on freon perhaps?? The condenser shuts off because there is not enough freon to keep the system pressured.

BTW. Why the "future Ex-wife"? Tough times?
Click to expand...

You might have a contaminated system. It should be clear. If it is milky, someone might have mixed refrigerant oils.

25 psi is a little low. It should hover around 32- 36.
 
I'll charge with a little more freon to see if I can get the pressure to ~35 psi. How can I go about draining and flushing the system?
 
trdrun said:
The sight glass appears cloudy/white all the time. Before AC is turned on, during the time it starts up, and long after it has stopped. I guess I am low on freon?

I compared my sight glass with the 2nd photo in this thread post:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/90738-ac-recharge-4.html#post1099799

It looks like exactly like so. Also, I measured the time of the AC cycles. It is on for ~20 seconds before cycling off. Then when pressure builds up 40psi, it cycles on again. Pressure slowly drops to 25psi, stay there for <10 sec, then cycles off. This might be more indication that I'm low on freon perhaps?? The condenser shuts off because there is not enough freon to keep the system pressured.

BTW. Why the "future Ex-wife"? Tough times?
Click to expand...

I'm sure you mean compressor, not condenser. Really need to know that hi side pressure. Definitely do not want to overcharge it. Furthermore if you were empty and you just slipped a can or 2 of refrigerant in you have a pretty good leak and probably have air in the system which will ice up your expansion valve.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 926 (members: 3, guests: 923)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top