My air hasn't worked in my car since I bought it. The compressor kicks on, so I figured all it would need was a charge. Went and bought some 134a and and charged it according to the directions that came with it. The air still dosen't work. Blowing very hot. I checked the pressure on the low side (bigger dia. hose) and it was very high, up around 100 psi. I have no knowledge about a/c systems, never worked on one before. Any suggestions?
I bled the pressure down to around 45 psi, and it the air is definitely cooler, but not cold, like it should be. I'm afraid to bleed any more pressure b/c on the gauge I have - (it's the one that comes with the can) it shows that between 30-45 psi is "charged"
Now this may be a dumb question, but would the coolant have anything to do with this? I know the cooling system needs to be flushed...
Do the rad fans come on?
Good question...letting it idle now to see. Is the compressor clutch supposed to run constasntly or kick on and off?
After going for a short drive yes the rad fan does come on...
The fan should come on with the A/C on even if you don't drive the car. The A/C system relies on the fan to cool the condenser. No fan will result in high pressures and no cooling.
When you observed that pressure reading was the engine running?
Nope, it was right after I shut the car off. Even after I bled the air it would still read over 100 psi after the car shut off. So I guess the rad fan not coming on could possibly be the problem, but after I drove it and the fan was on it didn't get any cooler - or would the condenser already be to hot? And again about the compressor clutch, should it constantly run?
You should take the readings while the car is running and the A/C is on. With the A/C off the system will stabilize (equal pressure throughout it) and you'll get artificially high readings.
The pressure on the low side should be 24-45 PSI with the A/C on, the ambient temp at 80 degrees, and the engine running at 1500 RPM. I would reckon that since you now have 45 PSI with the engine off your pressure will be way too low with the engine on.
Would it be harmful to shoot another can of refrigerant in there to boost the pressure? Then check the readings with the car running.
It'd be less harmful to check the readings first, then add refrigerant as needed ;)
Yea thats what I meant, I just worded it wrong. Will know more tomorrow.
Ok, gonna be working on this some more today, and was wondering how I would know if it needs oiled or not?
Unless you replaced something or had a huge leak, chances are it does not need oil. A/C system oil should last the life of the car. When you replace components there is a guidline as to how much oil should be added, but otherwise you shouldn't need to add any.