Car Air conditioning help needed !
#1
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iTrader: (11)
Car Air conditioning help needed !
My little ZS has a issue with the A/C as soon as its turned on I hear a loud clicking sound which i'm told does happen, when I attach a gauge to the A/C to check levels of gas the gauge rises into the green area then drops off to zero then raises again to green and does this every 7 seconds and is not cooling the system at all, its like its recharging then pressure is lost so it starts recharging again whats the likely cause and how to fix the git or is it just low on gas so wont kick in ?
Last edited by STeve; 25-05-2013 at 09:14 AM.
#2
Resident Wrestling Legend
iTrader: (3)
what are you using to check the pressure?
it's supposed to go up and down on the gauge as the gas pressure changes as it heats/cools
the click should come from the compressor as the magnetic clutch kicks in and out to make sure it's working
your best bet is to ask forgien rs on here as he used to tinker with a/c for a few weeks about 20 years ago, he seems to remember some stuff
but basiclly there is the gas in the system, and a series of sensors to make sure the pressure is right and the temprature is right and that's about it
the temp senser checks to see if the temp has been reached and thenit turns the systm off until the higher temp is recorded, then it turns it on again
the pressure one doens't allow it to turn on if there isn't enough pressure
the compressor may have had it though as they can wear out which may expalian why it's struggling to send the gas around the system even though the clutch is engaged
open the bonnet and see what's happening to the front pulley on the compressor, it should stop and start as it's kicking in and out
it's supposed to go up and down on the gauge as the gas pressure changes as it heats/cools
the click should come from the compressor as the magnetic clutch kicks in and out to make sure it's working
your best bet is to ask forgien rs on here as he used to tinker with a/c for a few weeks about 20 years ago, he seems to remember some stuff
but basiclly there is the gas in the system, and a series of sensors to make sure the pressure is right and the temprature is right and that's about it
the temp senser checks to see if the temp has been reached and thenit turns the systm off until the higher temp is recorded, then it turns it on again
the pressure one doens't allow it to turn on if there isn't enough pressure
the compressor may have had it though as they can wear out which may expalian why it's struggling to send the gas around the system even though the clutch is engaged
open the bonnet and see what's happening to the front pulley on the compressor, it should stop and start as it's kicking in and out
#4
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iTrader: (11)
pump is way underneath and impossible to really see unless in the air, video is shite quality but you can see and hear my issue, any help from those in the know ?
Last edited by STeve; 25-05-2013 at 09:06 AM.
#5
Resident Wrestling Legend
iTrader: (3)
i would say that the pump is pressuring the system too much and then it's kicking out again
not sure what could cause this as it could be a blockage, the pump being fubar, not enough oil in the system, a sensor, or anything else
the proper gauges have 2 gauges to measure 2 different things from the 2 different connectors so perhaps you could try to connect it to the lower/high pressure side and see if that's any different?
not sure if they have the same fittings though
not sure what could cause this as it could be a blockage, the pump being fubar, not enough oil in the system, a sensor, or anything else
the proper gauges have 2 gauges to measure 2 different things from the 2 different connectors so perhaps you could try to connect it to the lower/high pressure side and see if that's any different?
not sure if they have the same fittings though
#6
Advanced PassionFord User
It's low on gas mate its going off when the pressure get to zero as they have pressure switches to stop them going into a vacuum and causing moisture contamination in the system.
I would be pressure testing the system for leaks.
I would be pressure testing the system for leaks.
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#12
Advanced PassionFord User
The gas charge must have been really low in hers as there wasn't enough pressure in the system to activate the pressure switch.
#15
Advanced PassionFord User
#18
Advanced PassionFord User
If the system was blocked the back pressure wouldn't rise and fall mate. A choke in the system would cause the guage to drop and stay low. As the refrigerant would be able to pass through the blockage. Think I'm explaining this rite am a bit pissec and its commercial refrigeration I deal in but the principles are the same.
#20
#21
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I agree with stevos, it does look like its low on refrigerant, you should repair the leak first before recharging with r134a.
stevos, i see your a commercial refrigeration engineer aswell, doesnt it pee you off that we have to do a 3 day F-gas course (costing £700 +) just so we can recharge refrigerants into a commercial fridge system, but anyone can go into halfords and recharge the car aircons without having to do any course at all.
stevos, i see your a commercial refrigeration engineer aswell, doesnt it pee you off that we have to do a 3 day F-gas course (costing £700 +) just so we can recharge refrigerants into a commercial fridge system, but anyone can go into halfords and recharge the car aircons without having to do any course at all.
#22
Advanced PassionFord User
Yep mate it kind of does. The company I work with we need to account for every gram of refrigerant we use. But jo public can just go in and buy a can and top up there ac even if its got a leak. We are not allowed to put any refrigerant into a system without first finding a leak.
#23
Wahay!! I've lost my Virginity!!
if your local to kent I can sort this for you.
I have all the corect equipment, Nitrogen to pressure test and find leak, Vac pump and refrigerant, let me know if II can help
I have all the corect equipment, Nitrogen to pressure test and find leak, Vac pump and refrigerant, let me know if II can help
#24
Testing the future
the 2 steves are dead right
yeah, but a car system holds around 1kg, and a commercial system could be many times that.
I agree with stevos, it does look like its low on refrigerant, you should repair the leak first before recharging with r134a.
stevos, i see your a commercial refrigeration engineer aswell, doesnt it pee you off that we have to do a 3 day F-gas course (costing £700 +) just so we can recharge refrigerants into a commercial fridge system, but anyone can go into halfords and recharge the car aircons without having to do any course at all.
stevos, i see your a commercial refrigeration engineer aswell, doesnt it pee you off that we have to do a 3 day F-gas course (costing £700 +) just so we can recharge refrigerants into a commercial fridge system, but anyone can go into halfords and recharge the car aircons without having to do any course at all.
#25
struggling with reality
iTrader: (1)
I have a BMW and apparently they will leak out over a few years (3) if you don't use it regularly! If you do use the a/c the are of leaking is vastly reduced. The chap said it is to to with the design of the pump!
Any idea's what this could be?
Also might be worth pitting in a UV fluorescing dye into the system so you can spot any leaks more easily!
Any idea's what this could be?
Also might be worth pitting in a UV fluorescing dye into the system so you can spot any leaks more easily!
#26
Testing the future
the pump, which is not a pump, it is a compressor, is mechanically driven by the engine. there is a shaft from the external drive to the internal components which needs to be sealed to prevent the refrigerant from leaking out.
that shaft seal is a ring of rubber around the shaft and relies on regular use to remain lubricated and pliant. the lubricant is within the compressor body and is carried around the system by the refrigerant and if the a/c is not used it will just sit in the crankcase of the compressor and not lubricate all around the shaft and the seal.
there are other valves and actuators in the system that should have regular use.
that shaft seal is a ring of rubber around the shaft and relies on regular use to remain lubricated and pliant. the lubricant is within the compressor body and is carried around the system by the refrigerant and if the a/c is not used it will just sit in the crankcase of the compressor and not lubricate all around the shaft and the seal.
there are other valves and actuators in the system that should have regular use.
#27
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
I've just had my aircon regassed on my mondeo,but its causing the car to run irattically and change the engine speed by a few hundred rpm when cruising along. Is the compressor knackered? Is there anything I can do to free it off?
#28
Testing the future
it's normal. ford were cheap skates and buy fixed displacement compressors that have to cycle on and off and put quite a load on the engine that you are noticing. the alternative of variable displacement compressors that remain on at (virtually) all times but just change their displacement to meet the cooling load are obviously more complex and expensive.
and Brendan, you are welcome. i'm glad that i took the time to type that reply for you
and Brendan, you are welcome. i'm glad that i took the time to type that reply for you
#30
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Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Just to update my original querie, as mentioned by the PF gurus the system was simply low on gas so a can of gas and £17 later using my halfords trade card its now ice cold and the clicking sound has stopped
#31
Advanced PassionFord User
Total cost £0 is I carry r134a.
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