Poor cooling Excessive high side pressures 09 ES350 Lexus

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RC5000
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Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2025 3:16 pm

Poor cooling Excessive high side pressures 09 ES350 Lexus

Post by RC5000 »

Hello, working on a car for my son that previously had optimal cooling. But the AC got to where it seemed the variable displacement compressor was locked on max setting, it dragged unusually on the engine and produced huge puddles from the condensate drain, compressor would cycle on and off, this car shouldn't do that. I replaced the compressor with a used low miles denso unit and new denso expansion valve. Condensor was new 1 yr prior from hole in it, generic but visually identical replacement. Vac and charged to spec and having problems.
The drag on the engine and puddles of water are gone but the cooling is not right. The car will cool off eventually but I cant leave it like this. Appreciate any help I've worked on ac and studied for years but it is not my forte. Been reading here for days

At 1500rpm max cool/fan recirc w/doors open 10 mins running
94F ambient 47% humidity
94F room temp sens
60-65F center vent temp
evap fin thermistor 53-57F
300-350psi high side hovers around 325
22-27psi low side
elec cooling fan stays same speed unless high pressure nears 350 then goes to max speed (as spec)
max speed pulls it back down to ~300psi

coolant temp sens stays at 197-198 solid

Manual says 22-36 low 199-228 high

Spraying condensor with water dives the high side to 190-200psi.
Driving helps get slightly vent temp but not cold like it should be, doesn't seem to be an airflow problem.
I dont have temp clamps but with ir gun the condensor inlet outlet temps are at least 30deg apart and the condensor surface temp is pretty even maybe 15deg spread bottom to top, nothing stands out there.
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JohnHere
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Location: South Carolina Upstate - USA

Re: Poor cooling Excessive high side pressures 09 ES350 Lexus

Post by JohnHere »

The low-side pressures aren't too bad, but the high side is far too high, pointing to a condensing problem.

I would attack this problem from two fronts:
1. Replace the fan, check that nothing is obstructing airflow through the condenser, and that all foam seals and shrouds are in place. (The water-spray test confirms poor condensing.)
2. Replace the control valve because the one that came with the used Denso compressor might be faulty. Control valves are relatively inexpensive.
Member – MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association)

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