I added freon to my A/C system earlier this summer and it worked fine. I have a gauge and I filled it to the top of the full level. About a month later I have no A/C. I checked again with the gauge and I'm approaching the "warning" level. Could I have overfilled it? Given this limited information, does anybody have an idea what kind of fix will be required?

 

The refrigerant is not freon, it is R134a. Is that what you charged it with?

The system holds 32 ounces. How much did you put in?

I just paid Cdn$90 to have my refrigerant filled and a dye added to determine next time, if there are leaks and if so where.

 

Underfilling or Overfilling will cause either failure or poor performance. Get it done professionally, They have to evacuate the entire system, remove any moisture, and then recharge it perfectly to spec. If this is done, you will get frozen air within 30 seconds after turning the car on.

 

I did the same thing. Air wasn't as cold as should be. Fill myself=Warmer air. Evacuate and refill at a shop=Hot air. Replace whole A/C system=Cold air minus $450. Have fun replacing your A/C system because your compressor is most likely going out. If you replace your compressor you will need to also replace the filter/drier and expansion valve (orfice tube).

 

a/c useless.... take it all out save some weight. ^_^;

 

Not where I live!!! 95 degrees with 80% humidity today makes it feel like 105-110 degrees. Need lots of A/C!!!!! A/C

 

Thanks for the info. Anybody else have any ideas, especially ideas that will cost less than $450? It will be a long summer without A/C.

 

Yes, you could have overfilled it. You have a pressure switch on the filter/drier that shuts the A/C system down when there is too much pressure or not enough. You could release some of the 134r and see if your compressor kicks back on. Doing this could result in a $10,000 fine if caught though . The first place to start would be to take it to get evacuated and refilled. It shouldn't cost any more than $50. If that doesn't work you f'ed up your compressor by overfilling it and your going to have to replace all the above mentioned parts.

 

I went to a sopposely good garage they overfilled Double the charge 3.2 pound

The compressor was trying to go on but it would shake and rattle then stop and try again one minute later.

My sugestion go to a garage that does is own radiator and only a/c system.
It cost 50$can. to fix it i.e. remove 1.6 poud of r34.

 

OK. Thanks for the input. I'll tray the cheapest option first and move-on from there.

 

Go to an auto parts store and buy the inexpensive A/C hose with the gauge on it. Wear safety glasses and leather gloves while doing this - safety first always! Start your car and run your A/C on it's maximum setting with the air recirculating inside the car for 10 minutes. With the car running and the A/C on full blast, uncap the LOW PRESSURE side of your A/C hose (the smaller cap on the upper hose). Ensure that the valve on the free end is fully closed and place the other end on the low pressure port. Read the gauge. If it reads overfilled, your A/C compressor will probably be cycling on and off every few seconds. You'll see and hear the clutch on the compressor engage and disengage repeatedly. If this is the case then you have overfilled it. CAREFULLY use a small screwdriver or something similar to depress the valve inside the low pressure port to leak some of the refrigerant out. Don't let it spray directly on your body. As you let it out slowly a few seconds at a time, you'll notice the gauge read normal and your clutch shoud engage and stay engaged. Watch it for a few minutes to see if it keeps cycling. If it does, let a little more out. Check the temperature of the air coming out of your vents inside the car. When it's cold air blowing and the clutch doesn't keep disengaging frequently, you probably have your problem solved. Replace the cap on the low pressure port.

If this doesn't work then take it to a reputable A/C shop and prepare to possibly get a$$ raped on the cost of a repair. Good luck.

 

I say take it to a shop, cuz again if u get caught releasing R-134 into the air BIG FINE!!!!!!! just not worth 10K dollars to do it yourself and possibly gettin in trouble. Get it to a shop have them evac/ remove moisture and re-charge it with dye in it so you can tell where it is coming from. (the leak that is)

 

please the a/c police dosent ride around watching for that i overfilled mine and drained a bit out to perfect spec. my a/c blows at 55 degrees according to my thermometer.

 

i dont think theres a fine for R134A, but i know if you release R12(freon) theres a pretty hefty fine involved. id just recomend letting a shop do it, if that doesnt work, i guess its time for new a/c parts.

 

C'mon guys, like you are going to put a neon sign "R134a Been released here at that time...". Do it and don't worry.

 

yeah well try 95 degrees with 100% humidity everyday and to top that hurricanes during the summer causing truly discusting weather. A/C is my escape..

 

Not to mention if u do do it, do it outside, i got ****ed up that way, with R-12...not fun

 

Problem solved and lesson learned. It was overfilled. Thanks.

 

I have an 98 Max SE and my cooling fans dont spin.I have swapped relays for the fans with other working devices relays...How can you test your fans?My A/C isnt blowing cold at all..I have charged the Low pressure side with R134A and I dont have any leaks..Thx..Replace or fix the cooling fans?Cheap fix/repair?

 

Lesson re-learned today.

 

Bumping your own thread after 5 years... nice!