Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help reading AC guages.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 20, 2017 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
Help reading AC guages.


These are my guage readings at 70 degree farenheit.According to an AC conversion for guages calibrated in Pascals, 35-40F converts to 241-276 KPa, 140-160F converts to 1000-1103Kpa. The guages are in Mpa which by coversion is 3 decimal points to the left so .241-.276 and 1-1.103 Mpa. Here are my guage readings at 68 degrees ambient temp. Rear air is same as ambient temp on max ac and the front is pictured. There seems to be virtually no pressure differences which I would interprret as a novice that there is ) freon flow. There is freon in the system with the high pressure being approx correct but the low side is too high if I understand correctly. Basically when at highway speeds at 75 degrees yesterday the front AC was cold and the rear was outside vent temp only. There are slight leaks in the low and high pressure valves. I have a Mastercool replacement tool but they did not send a fitting for the high pressure valve. Any ideas what these readings mean as far as what may be wrong?









 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:22 AM
  #2  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
The same pressure reading on both gauges indicates 1) the compressor isn't running or 2) the manifold valves are not closed causing, in effect, the equivalent of a "short circuit".
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 10:19 AM
  #3  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,324
Likes: 5,136
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
The low side pressure is high enough where the compressor should be running. Can you see the face of the compressor and verify that it is turning?
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:56 PM
  #4  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
OK today from a cold start pressure valves couplers and manifold valves open on both sides. Ambient temp around 70 degrees. The compressor is running continuously (which includes the clutch)--as in NEVER cycles off now.






The black marks are my approx conversion of psi to MPa

All I can say is WTF?
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 05:39 PM
  #5  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Close the regulator valves this time and try again. They should NOT be open during testing.
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 07:42 PM
  #6  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
Originally Posted by projectSHO89
The same pressure reading on both gauges indicates 1) the compressor isn't running or 2) the manifold valves are not closed causing, in effect, the equivalent of a "short circuit".
I believe you sir are correct. This aheap a$$ thing from Amazon which included a vacuum pump is a piece of crap. The attachments to the high side and low side pressure vales have a rotating on and off valve. The on and off valves on the side of the manifold do not function correctly. The high pressure side will cut off but the blue side plastic crap **** just spins either direction. By using the loading valves on off I got the low side correct and the highside below normal but cooling. That was after 3 cans of freon. I consider this to be God saying "Quit you idiot!" I looked up the guages. They're from freaking "Alibaba" worse that China! While I still have the intellectual curiosity, as a novice starting with the deck stacked against me really sucks. There was not a single shred of instructions--=not one piece of paper! Guess that teaches me not to buy any cheap a$$ tool off of Amazon!
 
Reply
Old May 27, 2017 | 05:27 PM
  #7  
timemachine455's Avatar
timemachine455
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 158
Likes: 3
From: Venice FL.
good tools are not cheap. Cheap tools are not good.
Just bought a set of Imperial gauges. Nice!
 
Reply
Old May 27, 2017 | 10:32 PM
  #8  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
Well I couldn't stand it. I ordered a recovery tank and new guages which came--nice... No Alibaba!
Waiting on orifice tube, tool, and rear expansion valve. The Mastercraft tool came with it's standard valve size tool. Unfortunately, the X seems too have nothing standard..so I decided to just recover the freon, vacuum, replace orifice tube and Expansion valve. I tightened my existing valves and they do not leak now verified by detector. I have ice cold air it the front, but not in the back. From what I read-that's likely the expansion valve--I think...I hope
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 28, 2017 | 07:15 AM
  #9  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
I have ice cold air it the front, but not in the back.
On the Expy, it could also mean a charge that's just slightly low.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2017 | 01:41 PM
  #10  
Stebs's Avatar
Stebs
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
Doesn't the rear have its own blend door as well? Have you verified its working correctly?
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2017 | 07:16 PM
  #11  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,324
Likes: 5,136
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Stebs
Doesn't the rear have its own blend door as well?
Yes it does.
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2017 | 02:52 PM
  #12  
seijirou's Avatar
seijirou
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 952
From: Kaufman TX
Club FTE Gold Member
I'll put on my flame suit, but I've had no problems with the harbor freight gauges and they read in PSI.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2017 | 01:31 AM
  #13  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
Originally Posted by Stebs
Doesn't the rear have its own blend door as well? Have you verified its working correctly?
Don't know where it is or how to verify proper operation. FWIW-heat is not a problem.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2017 | 01:36 AM
  #14  
Watcher58's Avatar
Watcher58
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
Originally Posted by seijirou
I'll put on my flame suit, but I've had no problems with the harbor freight gauges and they read in PSI.
No Diss on Harbor Freight. The Alibaba's came from Amazon.Anyone know how a Chinese e commerce company gets a middle eastern name??
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2017 | 07:02 AM
  #15  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Originally Posted by Watcher58
No Diss on Harbor Freight. The Alibaba's came from Amazon.Anyone know how a Chinese e commerce company gets a middle eastern name??
It must be magic...
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE