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poor cooling Saab

LQM on Sat July 29, 2006 12:26 AM User is offline

Year: 1989
Make: Saab
Model: 9000
Engine Size: 2.0
Refrigerant Type: R-12
Ambient Temp: 96
Pressure Low: 33
Pressure High: 180
Country of Origin: United States

When the outdoor temp are in the 80s and below, my car cool very well with vent temps in the high 40. When temperature are 90-110, vent temps are around 57-60. I hooked the gauges up today and the low side was about 33 and the high side was 180, at engine idle. The lowest vent temp reading was 56.3 The high side seem a little low to me. I am suspecting that it low on freon or possibly a weak compressor. Any ideas? Thanks

bohica2xo on Sat July 29, 2006 2:26 AM User is offline

LQM:

Your 9000 has a sight glass on the receiver/dryer. It should be free of bubbles at 1500 engine rpm. It may show a few bubbles at idle, depending on ambient temperature, and heat load.

If it is low on refrigerant, the sight glass will br full of bubbles, or foamy. It may look like rushing water.

Your automatic climate control panel is capable of a self-test. A combination of buttons places the panel in "test" mode, and then the codes are displayed on the panel as alphanumeric codes like "7C" or "3U". I would recomend either an AllData subscription or a Bently Manual for this test, so that you have a complete list of the diagnostic codes.

The performance spec for your system is taken with the engine rpm @ 2000, doors closed, system on outside air, cabin fan on highest speed.

At 86f ambient, the low side should be 37 psi, the high side 172 psi, and the center vent temp 43f to 50f.


Given your test results at idle, your system appears close to fully charged. Check the sight glass, and make sure the fans are operationg properly. Clean your condensor thoroughly.

This car does NOT convert well to 134a.


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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

LQM on Sat July 29, 2006 2:08 PM User is offline

Thank you for your response. I performed the self check and the ACC indicated that there were no codes. The sight glass shows some slight movement of liquid, but no bubbles. I have a spare ACC unit that I will try later. I will also wash off the condenser and keep you informed if it improves. Thank again.

bohica2xo on Sat July 29, 2006 2:31 PM User is offline

With no codes, and a clear sight glass, all that is left is the condensor effeciency. Don't waste your time changing the ACC.

Use a strong surfactant like Simple Green, or Zep Citrus. Soak a cold evaporator deep into the fins. Let it soak for ten minutes. It is easier if you pull the grille. Rinse with a garden hose, then repeat. It may take a couple of tries, but those cleaners will dissolve the bugs buried in the fins.


.

-------------------------
"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.

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