| From | Message |
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/26/2005
19:47:15
|
 Subject: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
I own a 98 Dakota sport, 3.9. The a.c stopped blowing cold air. I put a gague on it to check refrigerant level & it read approx. 30 p.s.i. I figured maybe that was a bit low, so I figured I would top off the system. Well, I screwed up & overfilled it as the gague red into approx. 80 p.s.i. When I remove the dust cap on the low side, I can hear what I think is refigerant leaking out. I don't think it is overfilled any more due to this leak. With the a.c running on max, with the gauge installed the refigerant level on the gauge fluctuates between approx. 35 p.s.i. & 15 p.s.i., every time the a.c. clutch kicks in. Is this normal? I am still not getting cold air, & I can't detect any leaks. Anyone know what the heck is going on here?
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/26/2005
20:21:04
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
if it's going down to 15psi on the low side when the compressor kicks on it's low. it should be about 30 when comp is engaged.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2005
07:41:52
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanx for replying. When the system is running I do not see any water draining from the system. Anyone know where the drain orifice is? I can't find it. Any other tips would be appreciated.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2005
09:05:53
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
if the humidity is really low you will not see much condensation. i wouldn't worry about that. i'm no expert on these new R134 systems. i do know you should have a set of gages(to read hi & low press)and a manual to charge the system right. i believe that an r134 sytem is more sensitive about having the correct amount of refrigerant than an r12 system.
maybe someone with more knowledge on the subject will kick in.
|
93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2005
09:30:43
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
on my 93 the drain is on the firewall almost behind the motor. as for the system, i dont know much about a/c. but i would probably take it in....get it leak tested because you probably created a leak.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2005
17:57:14
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, I've been told if the drain is plugged I would be getting water inside the vehicle. That's not happening. Anyone know how to check the high side pressure? Do I need a special gague to check it? I injected some dye into the system, but I can't see any leaks under a uv lite.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/27/2005
18:39:45
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
normally a gage set for that comes with a little manifold, both hi & lo gages and 3 hoses. haven't priced or bought one ion quite a while. check at the parts stores or online.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/10/2005
12:32:30
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
The system seems to be holding the charge {approx. 40 lbs.} on the low side. However, both lines off the compresser are warm. Isn't one of them supposed to be cool when the system is engaged?
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/10/2005
14:27:02
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
is that 40 psi while the comp is running or not? suction/low side should be cool/cold.
discharge/hi side should be warm / hot.
could be compressor is shot or system blocked somewhere. you either need to get a service manual or bring it to someone you trust.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/10/2005
15:42:57
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
When the comp kicks in, the pressure drops to about 15 p.s.i., then increases to 40 when it cycles off. What would cause a blockage? The comp. seems to running fine. Thanx.
|
toldyaonce
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/10/2005
17:32:08
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/26/2005
20:21:04
RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
if it's going down to 15psi on the low side when the compressor kicks on it's low. it should be about 30 when comp is engaged.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/11/2005
09:50:24
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
yeah, some people just don't listen. add some more refrigerant to the stupid thing already.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/11/2005
14:39:49
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, on the gague the max pressure says 40 p.s.i. The reason I haven't added more is I don't want to overfill the system. I listen, to folks that know what they're talking about.
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/12/2005
13:29:07
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
I brought my truck to puke boys. They told me it needed a compressor, as it was leaking. I have previously injected a dye, but found no leaks. They managed to blow the friggin dye all over the engine compartment. The total repair is over $800 bucks. If it comes dowm to this {I'll geta 2nd opinion} what is involved if I do the job myself? I can get a reman for less than $300. Thanx again.
|
Dan M
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/12/2005
14:25:46
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
It's pretty simple to replace compressor and easy to get to.
evac the system, remove belt, unbolt old, bolt on new, have system pressure checked and recharge.
they should have evapped it after doing the test where the determined the compressor to be bad, but always better to be safe than sorry. Some places will do evap for free, call around.
- Dan M
|
kpg712
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/12/2005
16:26:46
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Dan, tell me something. If the comp. is leaking, how come when I got home & put a gague on the low side it still reads the same as a week ago? If I'm missing something, I'd like to know.
|
Dan M
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/12/2005
17:11:30
| RE: need help with a/c
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm not A/C expert, have replaced a few components before and i have read over the haynes a/c tech book. A few things I can come up with .. maybe someone with more a/c experience and knowledge will add their input.
When did you put the guage on at home? Was it after the test at pepboys? did you try running the a/c between there and home? What was the pressure? I get the impression that you did this after pepboys did the test.
pepboys should have evacuated all of the r134 out after they did the test (legal/environmental issues). But that's not to say they did, maybe they left some in there.
If you ran the system the compressor could have compressed it which could cause the low side to read. This is only going to happen if the cluth engaged. Is your clutch engaging? there is a min about of pressure the cluth has to see before it'll engage.
Just because the pressure is good doesn't mean the system will work properly.
it might be a fluke that the low side was still reading the same as a week ago.
- Dan M
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
