AC clutch question

[poissonverte]

So I had my head under the car watching the AC clutch.. Had my accomplice turn on the Max A/C. The clutch engaged.....disengaged.....engaged....disengaged... kept doing this.. I assume its a simple A/C clutch fix.. ie refer to shotimes.com???? Or is it worse.. thanks

shrug thumb cheers

 

[Ishodu]

Sounds like you are low on freeon. Mine was doing the same thing when it was low on pressure.

 

[rangerj]

poisenverte,

Low pressure due to a low refrigerant charge is a common cause of the clutch engaging and disengaging repeatedly.

To rule out a clutch gap, or a clutch coil problem, you can use a jumperwire at the low pressure switch connector. Unpug the low pressure switch and jumper the connection. If the clutch stays engaged, then you know that the problem is "low pressure".

If you lost refrigerant you have a leak, period. If you lost refrigerant you also lost some of the oil. If you are going to just add refrigerant, you should also add a couple of ounces of oil. One to two ounces should do it.

Too much oil can have a detrimental affect on the systems operations, so don't get carried away with the oil! rangerj

 

[poissonverte]

If its low coolant then im screwed I think since Im probably on the old refrigerant and not the new stuff. Have to double check that though. Options if im on the old stuff?? Ive read you cant add the new type w/out screwing stuff up. headbang

 

[sdpatt]

There are economical substitutes on the market that have replaced the old R12. You can do a search on this subject in here and on the 'net. The fittings on the R12 and R134a systems are different so you cannot accidentally charge with the incorrect refrigerant.

 

[poissonverte]

Thanks for all the info.. I called my trusted mechanic that I use and asked how much for the conversion and was quoted $79 parts/labor.. Hopefully my leak is just a simple o-ring.. boink

 

[rangerj]

poissonverte,

Did you leave a zero of of the conversion quote? I can balieve $790 for a conversion. I can also believe $79 for a charge of R-12, but even thats low if you consider $65 per pound of R-12, and $65 to $85 per hour for labor. Some areas on the East coast are up to $95 per hour for labor.

Look for the wet spot! The leak usually leaves a oil residue that attracts dirt and becomes a wet black oily dirty spot in the vicinity of the leak.

Check arround all connections. Check the front of the condenser core (in front of the radiator).
Find the leak. Once you know what is leaking, then you will have some idea of what needs to be replaced or repaired. Then you can determine if it is economical to convert to R-134a.

If you have a minor "O" ring leak it may be best to simply add a charge of R-12. That may get you through the season, if the leak is small.

You heard right. You CANNOT MIX R-12 and R-134a refrigerant, oil, nor "O" rings. rangerj

 

[poissonverte]

They said 79. Its a guy who used to work on cars shop.. One of those drop it off and wait a week or so to get it bck..

I thought (from previous posts) that converting is changing some parts, evacuating the system, and pumping in R-134.. If not then I misread or something.

Ill look for leaks tonigth when im installing a oil cooler. BTW I thought the trans cooler was in front of the radiator not the AC.

 

[Bizzy]

just outta curiosity, are oil and the R-134a seperate in a system, or are they mixed? My A/C cycles like that all the time. and I know I have a leak on the suction line from the metal cylinder up near the compressor. I think that it is just an o-ring, but I'm afraid to attempt a fix myself. I know those special A/C o-rings are quite cheap, but I know nothing about what to and not to do with an A/C system.

Are there any websites that anyone knows of that have details about AC systems, and what the do's and don'ts are about working on them yourself?

<small>[ April 24, 2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: netviper ]</small>

 

[poissonverte]

Ahh pass on my question.. Ill consult the helms.. hard to have faith in a manual after reading the chiltons. hahahaa. rant

 

[rangerj]

Netviper,

Without getting too technical, the A/C oil and rerfrigerant flow through the system together. This is why you will find oil at the site of any leak. Refrigerant oil is very fine and attracts dirt readily. So, to find the leak, find the wet spot!

In re your question, "what to do and what not to do", what do you want to do? Post a separate question regarding your specific problem and we'll address it.
rangerj