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  #1  
Old 08-13-2017, 02:36 PM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default AC problem

Ok so I have had a slow leak for the last few years. Two years ago I bought a large can with hose and used half the can to top off. Last year put the rest of that can in. This year I bought a small can and put it in. It blows nice and cold when it is working. Seems like compressor is shutting off when I get in stop and go traffic. If I turn ac off for a few minutes then back on it will work but not for long. No problem on the highway only when in town.

Is compressor going bad or could it be something else?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 08-14-2017, 09:17 AM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Need to hook up gauges and see what the status of the charge is.
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  #3  
Old 08-14-2017, 09:20 AM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Charge still good but maybe a little high
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Old 08-14-2017, 03:20 PM
Woodtroll Woodtroll is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

It's hard to tell what your AC system is doing from a single gauge. To figure out what the issue is, you really need a dual set of gauges and a chart that shows the normal operating pressures at a range of ambient temperatures (and the temperature does make a difference in pressures).

With that being said, I would also look at the air gap adjustment on your AC compressor clutch. As the clutch wears and the gap widens, it is harder for the clutch to engage. As the engine compartment and AC compressor heats up, the electromagnetic strength of the clutch weakens, and so the compressor won't engage as readily or at all after it gets hot. What led me to think about this was that it quits in stop-and-go traffic, when the engine compartment is usually warmest.

Next time it goes out on you, leave everything set as-is (AC on), pull over at a handy spot, and take the back end of a screwdriver, hammer, or something relatively soft and with no sharp edges, and gently bump the edge of the clutch assembly in towards the compressor body. If it engages and turns, it is probably because the gap is excessive, and often you can take the clutch apart and remove a shim or two to narrow that gap.

OBVIOUSLY: BEWARE OF THE FAN, FAN BELT, AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL GRAB YOUR TOOL AND IMPALE YOU, OR RIP YOUR FINGERS OFF. Use good judgement, be careful, and just give the thing a light nudge and be prepared if it engages and starts turning. That's all it takes if this is your problem.

Good luck!
Regan
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  #5  
Old 08-14-2017, 07:46 PM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Thanks Regan I will check that out
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  #6  
Old 08-15-2017, 12:15 PM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by atxbandit View Post
Charge still good but maybe a little high
You have no way to confirm this unless you hook up a gauge set.
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  #7  
Old 08-15-2017, 12:19 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

I think he's basing this off the gauge the comes with the recharge kit.
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  #8  
Old 08-15-2017, 01:48 PM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by MaDMaXX View Post
I think he's basing this off the gauge the comes with the recharge kit.
That is correct.

Looks like Woodtroll is right. I looked at the gap before leaving for work this morning and it is pretty wide. Probably more than 1/16" but less than 1/8". By the time I found a parking spot in garage it had stopped working. Opened hood and tapped clutch and it started up. I will try a smaller shim and see if that fixes it.
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  #9  
Old 08-15-2017, 01:54 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Nice!
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  #10  
Old 08-15-2017, 03:34 PM
Woodtroll Woodtroll is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Excellent! Hope it turns out to be this simple for you. I usually buy well-used vehicles and then keep them a LONG time (retired my '86 Ranger at 30 years old and 350-some-odd thousand miles, for example), so I've had this happen a couple times on my old trucks.

Usually there's a shim or two in place already; you may get lucky and just be able to remove a thin one. I would recommend against trying to grind one down unless you find a REALLY good way to hold it. ;-) I still haven't found the one that flew off the grinder and somewhere into the bowels of my shop several years ago!

Take care,
Regan
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  #11  
Old 08-15-2017, 08:10 PM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Well I got home and checked the gap and it was .052

Took shim out and it is now .024

I think that should fix the problem but will find out tomorrow for sure

Thanks
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  #12  
Old 08-15-2017, 09:11 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Great fix, let us know.
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  #13  
Old 08-19-2017, 07:23 AM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Ok so removing the shim fixed the problem with AC shutting off. Afterwards i noticed that max ac wasn't working. Went out this morning to check and when I pulled the plug on the door actuator there was hardly any vacuum. Looked under hood and the light gray hose by the accumulator was kinked. Of course when I grapped it it snapped. No problem, I have some heat shrink tubing so I used that and it worked. Max AC is now working again.

Thanks for the help
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  #14  
Old 08-19-2017, 10:05 AM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

Great result, fixed another fault too. Which tube in is the door actuator, i'd like to check mine has good vacuum.
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  #15  
Old 08-19-2017, 12:36 PM
atxbandit atxbandit is offline
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Default Re: AC problem

That is the one that had low vacuum

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...t/IMG_0502.jpg


The one I repaired

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...t/IMG_0501.jpg


I couldn't get the pics to show so here are links
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Last edited by atxbandit; 08-19-2017 at 12:48 PM. Reason: photos not showing
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