Yes that the correct area to connect the a/c refiller unit.
Good Luck.
yes but can someone tell me the right readings? when i connect it it says it's in the red zone and major full, but when i squeeze the trigger it is in the green zone and major empty. what's the right reading? is it really full or really empty?
with the compressor not engaged, you can expect to see very high pressures. reason being, when the its not on, the system equalizes pressure across all the components. once the system is active, the low side is the low side, and the high side is the high side. i've seen properly working systems have 130-170 psi while hot and the A/C off. also, the gauge will go to zero when you pull the trigger because as far as it's concerned, it's seeing vacuum (since the pressure in the can is higher than that of the line.)
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
so what you are saying is that i didn't wait long enough after starting the car to add the can? should i wait like 10 minutes to make sure the compressor turns on? i turned my car on, put the "A/c" on, put it to coldest setting, and put it to high. Then after like 4 minutes figuring if that's the right spot and checking the gauges, I started to add a little. How can I make sure the compressor is running? Is there a way to make sure or just wait like 15-20 minutes? Thanks for your help Rich, your the only one to explain the pressure to me so far.
justin smith wrote:so what you are saying is that i didn't wait long enough after starting the car to add the can? should i wait like 10 minutes to make sure the compressor turns on? i turned my car on, put the "A/c" on, put it to coldest setting, and put it to high. Then after like 4 minutes figuring if that's the right spot and checking the gauges, I started to add a little. How can I make sure the compressor is running? Is there a way to make sure or just wait like 15-20 minutes? Thanks for your help Rich, your the only one to explain the pressure to me so far.
shouldn't matter when. essentially, if it's in the red area, then it's high enough for the high pressure side to sense. you have a bad switch somewhere, it seems to not be a 134 issue. to see if the clutch is working: look at the compressor. if the very front isn't spinning, it's not on.
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
is the compressor that cylinder thing at the end of the hose? it isn't spinning. is there any way i can fix this? thanks!
justin smith wrote:is the compressor that cylinder thing at the end of the hose? it isn't spinning. is there any way i can fix this? thanks!
the compressor is the other belt driven accessory on your engine.
with the a/c on, that triangular front plate should be spinning if the compressor is kicking on.
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
that is for a 2005 cobalt ecotec. i have a 2003 cavalier 2.2l ecotec. i don't see a triangular front plate. what do you think i should do? if the gauge is reading in the red zone, i don't want to add any more refrigerant, and it may just be that it has a leak somewhere or it is all in my head that it isn't cold anymore.
Refrigerant is measured by weight, not pressure. If you dont even know what the A/C compressor looks like then you should not be touching the system. Take it to a certified garage.
justin smith wrote:that is for a 2005 cobalt ecotec. i have a 2003 cavalier 2.2l ecotec. i don't see a triangular front plate. what do you think i should do? if the gauge is reading in the red zone, i don't want to add any more refrigerant, and it may just be that it has a leak somewhere or it is all in my head that it isn't cold anymore.
the belt drive is the same. at this point, i agree with kyle. if you cant look and see if the compressor is engaging because you don't know how to find the OTHER belt driven accessory (you only have two, the alternator and the compressor) then you have no business trying to service your car. sorry, i've been as helpful as i'll get on this topic.
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
yeah guys, thanks for trying to help. i just thought adding the r-134 would be easier and cheaper than taking it to a shop. if someone just told me what the gauge means that would have been enough. like it was in the red zone when the trigger was not pressed, this means its super full right? thanks for trying to help! now i have 2 cans of refrigerant that is going to go to waste.
justin smith wrote: it was in the red zone when the trigger was not pressed, this means its super full right?
not necessarily. as kyle mentioned above, 134 is done by weight. the pressure changes depending on temperature, humidity, elevation...
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
Taking it to the shop 1st would be easier and cheaper then trying to fix it yourself when you dont know what you are doing. Like i said over on EF, too much refrigerant is just as bad as not enough. And if you go hunting around not know where the components are or how they function then you could cause more damage to the system. For all we know the clutch on your compressor could be shot and you are just messing up the system even more by dumping more refrigerant in when it doesnt need it.
I dont care that you can buy small cans of R-134A at Autozone, A/C work should never be performed by a backyard mechanic.
I know this is going to sound like im swinging my peen, but i am certified to work on automotive A/C systems(and everything else with refrigerant in it).
Tinkles wrote:Taking it to the shop 1st would be easier and cheaper then trying to fix it yourself when you dont know what you are doing. Like i said over on EF, too much refrigerant is just as bad as not enough. And if you go hunting around not know where the components are or how they function then you could cause more damage to the system. For all we know the clutch on your compressor could be shot and you are just messing up the system even more by dumping more refrigerant in when it doesnt need it.
I dont care that you can buy small cans of R-134A at Autozone, A/C work should never be performed by a backyard mechanic.
I know this is going to sound like im swinging my peen, but i am certified to work on automotive A/C systems(and everything else with refrigerant in it).
I am going to take this advice. I just thought I was low on refrigerant but when I learned how many things can go wrong, I know now that I must take it to a professional. I have also been getting wierd smells from the a/c which could be fungus. The smells and warmer air started at the same time so something must be wrong that I definately can't do myself. Thanks for your help man!
more importantly how are you buying 134a if you don't know how to add it or what a compressor is chances are you don't have a refrigeration license meaning you can't purchase it
or can you buy 134a at parts store in the states i know you can only get that redtek 12a stuff here without a license
JBO since July 30, 2001
NOTa2_4 wrote:more importantly how are you buying 134a if you don't know how to add it or what a compressor is chances are you don't have a refrigeration license meaning you can't purchase it
or can you buy 134a at parts store in the states i know you can only get that redtek 12a stuff here without a license
They sell little cans of R-134a that you dont need a license for here in the states, but the bigger tanks you do need a license.
