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Help w/ Dodge Ram A/C

Aster1 on Sat August 08, 2009 5:47 PM User is offline

Year: 2004
Make: Dodge
Model: Ram 2500
Engine Size: 5.7Hemi
Refrigerant Type: R134A
Ambient Temp: 94
Pressure Low: 48
Pressure High: 230
Country of Origin: United States

Hi Everyone,

I'm a newbie and have a question on my Dodge Ram A/C. I put a thermometer into the A/C vent and after about 6-8 mins it was reading about 62 degrees. The A/C doesn't ever really seem real cold, but I'm use to my Buick's freezing me out I guess.

When hooked up to the gauges, the low side was 68 and the high side was 300. We put in 12 oz of R-134A and are the low readings went down to 48 and the high reading went down to 230.

Is that about okay for this unit?

Should they have gone down when the coolant was added?


The temp now gets to 58 in the vent with the A/C thermometer. With the air temp at 94 is this a pretty good temp?

Thanks in advance for the help. Really If the low is too high, do I need to get some of the freon pumped out?

Sincerely

Aster

Edited: Sat August 08, 2009 at 5:50 PM by Aster1

TRB on Sat August 08, 2009 7:45 PM User is offlineView users profile

Sounds like you have a leak which needs to be repaired. Once repaired you need to pull a vacuum and recharge the system, to the OEM specifications. Just adding or removing refrigerant is a good way to damage a system.

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Aster1 on Mon August 10, 2009 8:05 AM User is offline

Thanks for the advice. What should the pressures be running? And should both have come "down" when refrigerant was added like it did?

As far as the "leak" situation goes, if there's a leak wouldn't it have leaked out and the compressor not run after working like this for the last 2.5 years? So am I misunderstanding that you have a leak that must be fixed ANY time you need to add additional refrigerant to the system? The can that was added had a leak stop and lub in it for "the heath of the A/C seals and system" made by Interdynamics Arctic Freeze Ultra Synthetic R134a from the auto parts store.

Thanks again!

Aster

Edited: Mon August 10, 2009 at 8:10 AM by Aster1

HECAT on Tue August 11, 2009 4:42 PM User is offline

As far as the "leak" situation goes, if there's a leak wouldn't it have leaked out and the compressor not run after working like this for the last 2.5 years?

It's 5 years old, who did what to it in its earlier life? If you don't belive there is a leak, why did you add refrigerant? The high low side number could be an oil overcharge, a stuck orifice, poor heat load removal, and many more scenarios. Knowing the factory charge (weight) is in there eliminates guessing. The way the high side dropped may be cause the fans kicked on; I would look at cleaning the condenser and make sure you have good air flow. Are you reading the gages at 1500 rpm, doors open, fan on low speed?

So am I misunderstanding that you have a leak that must be fixed ANY time you need to add additional refrigerant to the system?

System needs to be recovered (weighed) and recharged to OE spec to determine IF it was low on refrigerant. Topping off a system is a crap shoot; like adding a few quarts of oil, or draining a few, cause you feel it might need it, without using the dipstick.

The can that was added had a leak stop and lub in it for "the heath of the A/C seals and system" made by Interdynamics Arctic Freeze Ultra Synthetic R134a from the auto parts store.

Ouch, also professionally known as a "death kit". Now the system is contaminated at minimum with an incompatible chemical that will make all the rubber seals swell; or a silicate leak sealer that can crystallize (at a leak point, so they claim) in the entire system, when and if it needs to be opened up for repair.

Some would say you are now at the point of Total System Replacement. I don't necessarily agree, but it is going to be an expensive fix; do we want to continue?


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