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Need some help... I think I'm overcharged - 2000 Civic

Rooftop-Special on Tue June 15, 2010 11:16 PM User is offline

Year: 2000
Make: Honda
Model: Civic
Engine Size: 1.6
Refrigerant Type: 134A
Ambient Temp: 95
Pressure Low: 38
Pressure High: 248
Country of Origin: United States

We changed the compressor, expansion valve, and dryer this weekend. No signs of black death, everything was clean.

I believe the system may be be slightly overcharged. I would hit almost 375 PSI @ 2500 RPM or so. I noticed that the engine would "shutter" when first coming down to an idle, this also happens while driving. The shutter doesn't happen while the AC is off.

I have about 58 degree air at idle, 48 when cruising down the freeway.

Basically the shutter concerns me and the static pressures (38/248) seem a little high to me. The engine was warm and air temp in the shade was 95.

Thanks for the help,

Edited: Tue June 15, 2010 at 11:17 PM by Rooftop-Special

robs on Tue June 15, 2010 11:26 PM User is offlineView users profile

do you recall how much oil/refrigerant you put into the system? i show 5oz of oil/21-23oz of r134a. was everything flushed and what was the purpose of changing such components?

Chick on Wed June 16, 2010 6:50 AM User is offlineView users profile

Also, did you pull a deep vacuum and recharge into the vacuum??

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Email: Chick

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Rooftop-Special on Sat June 19, 2010 11:24 PM User is offline

I tried recharging the system today. I have roughly 22oz of 134A and when I replaced the compressor, etc we put 5 oz oil back into the system.

I'm using Master Cool gauges that are roughly 8 years old. I'm using a 1.5 cfm Master Cool vacuum pump and can only get -24 vacuum. I am recharging through vacuum.

I'm still not getting sufficient cooling and the compressor is seizing/stopping for a split second when the motor comes back down to idle and makes a "chug" noise. It doesn't sound good.

I originally replaced the compressor because when I bought the car the armature plate was completely broke off the compressor. I decided to replace the expansion valve just to be safe. I had no signs of black death.

I'm really at a loss here, any help is very much appreciated.

Dougflas on Sun June 20, 2010 1:26 AM User is offline

You're not drawing enough vacuum. Place only your gages on the vacuum pump and see what you're drawing. Change your vacuum pump oil. Make sure you zero your gages.

Rooftop-Special on Sun June 20, 2010 10:29 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: Dougflas
You're not drawing enough vacuum. Place only your gages on the vacuum pump and see what you're drawing. Change your vacuum pump oil. Make sure you zero your gages.

I've got -24 with two different vacuum pumps. Could there be something wrong with the gauges I'm using, maybe something isn't sealing up as it should?

What are the repercussions of only getting -24?

Thanks in advance,

HECAT on Sun June 20, 2010 11:45 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: Rooftop-Special
I tried recharging the system today. I have roughly 22oz of 134A and when I replaced the compressor, etc we put 5 oz oil back into the system.

OK, so you flushed the reused components to clean and dry bare metal, replaced the compressor (drained of shipping oil), dryer, and TXV; and then added 5 oz. of fresh oil to the system before recharge. If this is not the case, then you may have some classic symptoms of oil overcharge with poor thermal transfer, higher than normal low and high side pressures, compressor slugging (shudder in the engine), etc. Of course, pressures could also indicate possible poor air flow over condenser, or poor vacuum (air in system, does that 24 hold for decay test?). Poor vent temps could also be blend door or reheating issues.




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Rooftop-Special on Sun June 20, 2010 1:06 PM User is offline

There is definitely slugging of the comp. When the motor comes back down to idle the engine shutters and the comp. stops for 1/2 second or so and starts again. I honestly can't be sure the evap and cond. were flushed properly as I was busy bolting the new compressor in and a buddy was doing the flushing. Is an oil overcharge the only thing that would cause a slugging of the comp?

I'm just going to take the system apart and redo everything myself. I bet I have an oil overcharge. Assuming I get everything apart and flushed correctly and the system takes 5 oz of oil, where would you guys add the oil and what quantity?

Thanks again,

TRB on Sun June 20, 2010 8:30 PM User is offlineView users profile

Never let some flush your system unless you are 100 percent sure they will do it correctly. Not only could you have too much oil but more than likely flushing agent left in the system. If you find signs of fl using agent be sure to replace the drier again!

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Rooftop-Special on Sun June 20, 2010 11:06 PM User is offline

Thanks for the help guys. I know I need a total of 5 oz but how much do I add to each component?

Also, what else would cause slugging if its not an oil overcharge? I just want to make sure its probably that before ripping everything apart again.

Thx

Rooftop-Special on Thu June 24, 2010 12:05 PM User is offline

Ok, We completely tore down the system again over the last two days. I had AMA do my flushing this time, added the exact amount of oil needed pulled vacuum (BTW, our gauges were not zero-ed when I was only getting -24) One of the techs @ AMA showed me how to adjust them. We charged her up and she was doing good last night.

I would get a 45 degree split before the the AC would cycle off, then about a 37 degree split before it would come back on. I think I'm still a little light on my charge. I'm going to keep an eye on it over the next week or so.

The moral of the story is to do the job right the first time.

Thanks again AMA for the great prices, customer service and forum to help us all learn.



R.S.

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