So here is my situation. 93 XJ with fittings on compressor for R134a.
I had been futzing around in my engine bay and kinked an AC hose years ago. I just recently got around to fixing that, it has been hot and I've wanted the 'luxury' of A/C again. Ended up replacing both hoses to and from the condensor, the condensor itself, drier/receiver, expansion valve, and used (tested good) compressor. Added oil to the compressor and to the system with R314a cans that had an oil charge.
I bought some cans and attempted to charge it (Yes, I know this isn't the best way to do it, I've been doing it this way with my cars for years. Does it have optimal performance? Nope. Does it work and is it cheap? Yup.)
So I turn on AC full blast. I empty a can into the system, everything seems ok, clutch engages and compressor is turning. No cool air. I empty another one. Still no cool air. The gauge on the low side connection hose says pressure is low, not even on the scale. OK, usually 2 is enough but I begin to add another. The pressure relief valve opens. Really weird, considering pressure is still nonexistant on the low side, and no cool air from the vents.
No bubbles in the sight glass on the receiver. The hoses going thru the firewall to the evaporator aren't cold at all.
I have a factory service manual, and making the assumption that the high side is very high (as it would be if the relief valve is opening) and the low side is very low, it advises that either the expansion valve is bad or there is a blockage. How can I verify the functionality of the expansion valve (Is it possible to install backwards? I don't think so...port sizes seem different)? Any other advice on what steps I should take next?
Sorry about the book. Also, if you're going to launch off in a tirade about how I need to pull a vacuum before I fill it, save it. Should I have a shop evacuate my system? It seems silly to waste $30+ in freon and have to buy more. I assume they'd gouge me on it. I also feel like anything I do can't be properly tested until I try to fill the system again, which could lead to more freon wasted. Really don't want to be buying hundreds of dollars of freon...
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
I had been futzing around in my engine bay and kinked an AC hose years ago. I just recently got around to fixing that, it has been hot and I've wanted the 'luxury' of A/C again. Ended up replacing both hoses to and from the condensor, the condensor itself, drier/receiver, expansion valve, and used (tested good) compressor. Added oil to the compressor and to the system with R314a cans that had an oil charge.
I bought some cans and attempted to charge it (Yes, I know this isn't the best way to do it, I've been doing it this way with my cars for years. Does it have optimal performance? Nope. Does it work and is it cheap? Yup.)
So I turn on AC full blast. I empty a can into the system, everything seems ok, clutch engages and compressor is turning. No cool air. I empty another one. Still no cool air. The gauge on the low side connection hose says pressure is low, not even on the scale. OK, usually 2 is enough but I begin to add another. The pressure relief valve opens. Really weird, considering pressure is still nonexistant on the low side, and no cool air from the vents.
No bubbles in the sight glass on the receiver. The hoses going thru the firewall to the evaporator aren't cold at all.
I have a factory service manual, and making the assumption that the high side is very high (as it would be if the relief valve is opening) and the low side is very low, it advises that either the expansion valve is bad or there is a blockage. How can I verify the functionality of the expansion valve (Is it possible to install backwards? I don't think so...port sizes seem different)? Any other advice on what steps I should take next?
Sorry about the book. Also, if you're going to launch off in a tirade about how I need to pull a vacuum before I fill it, save it. Should I have a shop evacuate my system? It seems silly to waste $30+ in freon and have to buy more. I assume they'd gouge me on it. I also feel like anything I do can't be properly tested until I try to fill the system again, which could lead to more freon wasted. Really don't want to be buying hundreds of dollars of freon...
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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