symptoms of clogged orifice???

[jopaustu]

Evacuated and recharged my a/c with R12 last spring. Ice cold until it got Florida hot out. Suction pressure is within range. Uknown head pressure (don't have adapter) .my liquid line is extremely hot . New radiator. Stock fan. Condenser in good shape. R 12 was weighed in per factory spec. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks in advance.

 

[mgmshar]

This is almost impossible to answer without knowing high side pressure. If low side pressure is correct, but high side pressure is too high, that would usually indicate a clogged orifice. This assumes that you are sure you put in the correct amount of R-12.

If high side pressure is low, might indicate a weak compressor.

Need both pressures to know for sure.

Mike
Sent from my HTC Droid Incredible using Turbo Buick

 

[jopaustu]

Thanks Mike. Charge is correct. Know where I can get an adapter for the high side? Not standard 1/4" flare. (Smaller).I would guess that the pressure is extreme condsidering the temperature on the outlet of the condenser (liquid line) . Worked perfect for the first month or so,driven maybe once a week.

 

[charlief1]

If low side is normal (40-45 PSI) and you don't have a reading on the high side then it's a crap shoot. Usually when the orifice is clogged the high side is very high and the low side is low. Liquid line is normally fairly hot to the touch and you shouldn't be able to leave a finger on it for more than a few seconds. If you're daring drill a small hole in the evap box and stick the thermometer in to see what the temp is. You can fill the hole later with silicone but be careful with where and how deep you drill the hole or you can poke through the core.

 

[cruzn57]

Just get some gauges, ( harbor freight) and do it right,
by your info, your expansion screen could be plugged,
and that means NEW COMPRESSOR, AND RECIEVER DRYER, plus flush and evacuation.
if there is metal on the screen....... guess where it came from?

 

[Scott Atk]

I just fixed an LS Camaro with a clogged orifice this weekend. Symptom was high, low side pressure and low, high side pressure. There was only about 50 psi delta pressure. (80 low - 130 high) HTH, scott

 

[Bruce Urie]

The REAL sign of a clogged orifice is a bloated stomach.....so go see your doctor asap and don't worry about your a/c unit. You'll start to feel a lot better.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[84BuickGNYorkPA]

Harbor Freight gauges are less then $50 with the 20% coupon in Hot Rod Magazine every month, picked up a $15 vacuum pump there also that runs off the air compressor.

Chuck

 

[mgmshar]

Thanks Mike. Charge is correct. Know where I can get an adapter for the high side? Not standard 1/4" flare. (Smaller).I would guess that the pressure is extreme condsidering the temperature on the outlet of the condenser (liquid line) . Worked perfect for the first month or so,driven maybe once a week.

I would suggest getting a set of manifold gaugess so you can look at both high and low pressures at the same time. The gauges should come with the correct adapter.

If you want to buy the adapter by itself, do a Google search for "GM air conditioning high side adapter". Lots of places sell them for a few bucks. Make sure you get the adapter for an R12 system if you haven't converted to R134a.

Mike
Sent from my HTC Droid Incredible using Turbo Buick

 

[trbojo]

his symptoms seem like it may be a clogged radiator or cooling system problem....it's ok til it hit extreme heat...as stated by others, his low side would be low with a clogged orifice, but he says it's ok......he can tell by watching the low side and see if it rises with temp......

 

[jopaustu]

Home from work. Pulled charge and checked orifice. It was clean . Evacuated and weighed in 3lb. 4oz. R12. Suction aprox. 50 psig. Ambient 88 deg. F. Supply air temp. At vent 63- 64 deg. ambient.(idling) Seems much better. Will take for a cruise to find hi side adapter.. how do these readings sound so far?

 

[jayp57]

60 degree outlet is acceptable in the heat if in the sun. If you're in a garage I say not so good. 45 PSI low side is a tad high. Does it drop w/rpm? We really need a high side to evaluate the system. Also a weak cooling fan/radiator will hamper the system as stated above.

 

[jopaustu]

Here's the latest. Air temp. As low as 51 deg. F. On cruise of about ten miles in town. Working much better. No luck finding hi side adapter today. Now my coolant temp. Has reached the 210 mark. Is this a concern? New radiator (oem style) ,water pump, 180 thermo.,hoses ,etc. Ambient in high 80's ,and yes my fan works... thanks guys for any help

 

[charlief1]

Sounds like heat soak to some degree. That temps a little high on the coolant.