A/C Question (R134a)

[turbojimmy]

Hi all,

I converted my GN to R134a last year. It's worked great, except I found that I have a couple of small leaks. R134a is cheap enough, I figured I'd just top it off for the summer and deal with it in the fall. Trouble is, it's not drawing refrigerant from the can. I hooked up the manifold gauges, tapped the can, jumped the pressure switch on the compressor, and it just sits there. 10 psi on the low pressure side. What's the pressure in these cans (should the can cause more than 10 psi on the gauge?) Does the pressure from the can charge the system, or does the system actually draw from the can? My car is the only I've had trouble with, of course. Every other one I've worked on takes the refrigerant just fine. I know it needs it because a) there's minimal pressure on the gauges and b) a/c is blowing hot air and it wasn't before.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[49-blues]

the compressor should suck in the refrigerant-what is the pressure on the gauges(10 psi),is the compressor cluch locking up to actually run the compressor,and try putting the can in a pot of hot water-this will increase the pressure in the can higher than whats in the system-matt ps if your system is only at 10 psi-you will probably need more than one can to get the pressure where it should be.

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by 49-blues
the compressor should suck in the refrigerant-what is the pressure on the gauges(10 psi),is the compressor cluch locking up to actually run the compressor,and try putting the can in a pot of hot water-this will increase the pressure in the can higher than whats in the system-matt ps if your system is only at 10 psi-you will probably need more than one can to get the pressure where it should be.

Yeah, I will probably need more than one can. I have 10 psi on the low side, 100-110 on the high side (with the compressor running). Compressor is running fine. I'll have to try the hot water thing. I had to do that the first time I charged it up, it just doesn't seem like I should have to.

Thanks for the reply,
Jim

 

[Steve Wood]

You can momentarily turn the can up side down but don't keep it that way as you are dumping liquid and you don't want to overwhelm the system.

I usually hold the can in front of the fan to pick up a little heat and just rock the can back and forth in my hand but not completely upside down.