[noquacks]

People,

1995 Voyager, original owner. Charged it up with R134a 3-4 weeks ago, and blew cold. Now, blows hot. 27 psi low side, 25 psi high. Bad compressor cuz of way low on high side? Should I maybe add a can of r134a to see if it gets cold/engages the comp?

Thaks!!

 

[raylo32]

What was the ambient temp when you took those readings? They seem very low, as if you probably had most R134 leak out.

People,

1995 Voyager, original owner. Charged it up with R134a 3-4 weeks ago, and blew cold. Now, blows hot. 27 psi low side, 25 psi high. Bad compressor cuz of way low on high side? Should I maybe add a can of r134a to see if it gets cold/engages the comp?

Thaks!!

 

[noquacks]

Well, it's about 85 F here right now. Also, psi's were with engine running, just to be clear.....

 

[raylo32]

I believe your system has leaked out, essentially empty. Whether the engine is running or not doesn't matter, what matters is the compessor and since the pressures are equal it isn't running. And R134a at 85 degrees F should be at a pressure of 95 psi. Without the compressor running your system is static and both high and low should read about 95 psi... if there was anything in there.

 

[noquacks]

OK, Ray, thats what I suspected. So, probably a major leak to have it blow cold a few weeks ago and now BOOM- hot air, and very low psi's. Guess the next step is use a uv light and look for the leak detection dye which was in the refrigerant??

 

[noquacks]

Or, add nitrogen to about 300 psi, and use soap brushed around and look for bubbles? Or suck out/epav to negative pressure, and see if soap gets sucked in?

 

[raylo32]

If you had R134 with dye in it that should be easy to see after such a large leak. Try that first. Might be the compressor main shaft seal. I had one of those once upon a time. If you do the nitrogen you won't need 300 psi. 50 or so ought to be plenty to start with to do a leak check.

 

[cjm94]

If you have rear ac check in the back where it goes into the passenger compartment under the van. Very common spot for leaks.

 

[Brainbucket]

A 95 Chrysler product. Evaporator. Chryslers were bad about Evaps going bad. Have it checked or rent an A/C leak detector and put it by the A/C drain hole and watch it max out. Those compressors leak at the seams. Also look at the shrader valves to see if it bubbles. Any wetness along the lines and condenser with system off and condensation gone is usually A/C oil and dirt attracts to oil hence a leak. If the compressor is dirty and nothing is around it, leaky compressor. Sounds like the compressor is working as it does get cold.:vs_cool:

 

[noquacks]

A 95 Chrysler product. Evaporator. Chryslers were bad about Evaps going bad. Have it checked or rent an A/C leak detector and put it by the A/C drain hole and watch it max out. Those compressors leak at the seams. Also look at the shrader valves to see if it bubbles. Any wetness along the lines and condenser with system off and condensation gone is usually A/C oil and dirt attracts to oil hence a leak. If the compressor is dirty and nothing is around it, leaky compressor. Sounds like the compressor is working as it does get cold.:vs_cool:

Thanks, brain. Buying a uv light with the Agent 007 glasses. Then go from there. Might pressurize it a bit with propane. Easy/cheap. Geez- hope its not the evap. Changed one out on a 1999 Voyager- right- they were junk evaps with lightweight aluminum.

But, if its a pinhole or 2 in the evap, I will try stop leak first! Not the best alternative, but hey, its a 1995. The stopleak should hold, eh?

But what do you mean by : "put it by the A/C drain hole and watch it max out"?

 

[Brainbucket]

An Electronic A/C leak detector. Stick it by or in the A/C drain hole and watch it max out meaning massive leak in being detected. Freon floats down to the ground and the drain hole is the lowest in the evaporator compartment. Drain hole is where the water is dripping under the van as the A/C system is working dehumidifying the air. And stop leak creates more problems than it cures.:vs_cool:

 

[noquacks]

No leak dye found in engine bay. Removing rear evap trim pieces to inspect that evap for leak dye. Cant access main front evap behind glove box. Sheesh.