A/C guage question
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A/C guage question
Got one of those ac guages at napa today. It's built into the refill hose, so if it's low, you can go ahead and add some 134.
Drove home with the air on, let idle in the driveway with air on, and stuck the hose on there. (blue cap, right? I don't think it will fit the other) I couldn't get the guage to move. Obviously I have some charge, it's blowing cold air and the compressor engages, I just wanted to check the pressure. Am I doing something wrong or do I have a bum guage?
BTW, is it ok to just add a can of 134 if it needs it, or should I take it to have it evacuated and refilled if it's low? That's what they say to do, so you can get any dirt out. I want this to last. I don't mind paying a shop to do it if it will last longer. That's why I got the guage, though, so I can see if it's low myself before going to a shop.
Any tips?
Drove home with the air on, let idle in the driveway with air on, and stuck the hose on there. (blue cap, right? I don't think it will fit the other) I couldn't get the guage to move. Obviously I have some charge, it's blowing cold air and the compressor engages, I just wanted to check the pressure. Am I doing something wrong or do I have a bum guage?
BTW, is it ok to just add a can of 134 if it needs it, or should I take it to have it evacuated and refilled if it's low? That's what they say to do, so you can get any dirt out. I want this to last. I don't mind paying a shop to do it if it will last longer. That's why I got the guage, though, so I can see if it's low myself before going to a shop.
Any tips?
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You need a set of real gauges to check the system accurately, one on high side, one on low side.
Don't just add refrigerant, as the systems are pretty sensitive as to the amount. Have someone check your pressures, and if it's a little low, just add some.
If you are real low, you have a leak that should be repaired, then evacuated, and refilled to proper pressure.
Don't just add refrigerant, as the systems are pretty sensitive as to the amount. Have someone check your pressures, and if it's a little low, just add some.
If you are real low, you have a leak that should be repaired, then evacuated, and refilled to proper pressure.
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I tried again with another guage, same cheap kind as the other. I did it with the air running, the guage still didn't budge. Seems odd. It wasn't that hot out, but it should still have pressure. The air was obviously working and blowing cold. Even the fittings on the compressor had dew on them. The pressure is clearly not zero. Guess I ditch the cheap guage and leave it to the pros.
I was hoping there would be a way to test it at home, though, so I could check it without going to a shop, and have a shop fix me up if I need it.
I was hoping there would be a way to test it at home, though, so I could check it without going to a shop, and have a shop fix me up if I need it.
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The guage attatched to the compressor like an air compressor fitting. The other end could be screwed to the refrigerant can, but it said you should be able to check the pressure without a can even attached, and a valve in it would prevent refrigerant loss. I clicked it on with the air on, but I couldn't get the guage to move. I did not add any refrigerant. If it was really 0 pressure, it wouldn't run or get cool. It was only about 70-75 out, but the air was cold.
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It has a coupler on one side, hose to a guage, hose from the guage with the valve on the end for a can. Says you can check it without a can attatched.
Anyway, I got rid of that one now anyway, and I got one that works like a tire guage, it pops out. I havn't tried it yet, so we'll see. This one should work with R12 and R134 also, and can be used for auto or home use.
I also have a sight glass in line, how does that work? What am I looking for there?
Oh, also just to be sure, do I want to check the fitting from the compressor to the inside, or from the compressor to the line in front of the rad? It's 134, so blue cap or red? I'm thinking blue cap, compressor to inside right?
Anyway, I got rid of that one now anyway, and I got one that works like a tire guage, it pops out. I havn't tried it yet, so we'll see. This one should work with R12 and R134 also, and can be used for auto or home use.
I also have a sight glass in line, how does that work? What am I looking for there?
Oh, also just to be sure, do I want to check the fitting from the compressor to the inside, or from the compressor to the line in front of the rad? It's 134, so blue cap or red? I'm thinking blue cap, compressor to inside right?
Last edited by nickmobile67; May 4, 2004 at 05:46 PM.
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I looked in my Ford manual and it explained the sight glass well.
Now, today I went to try my new guage, that looks like a tire guage, and I now see what the problem is. The part that extends in to push on the shrader valve isn't long enough to push the valve in. I assume this was the problem with the guages too. Now, should I just give up on this whole scheme or is there something I can do to make this work?
Now, today I went to try my new guage, that looks like a tire guage, and I now see what the problem is. The part that extends in to push on the shrader valve isn't long enough to push the valve in. I assume this was the problem with the guages too. Now, should I just give up on this whole scheme or is there something I can do to make this work?
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Why don't you get a set of Real gauges if you're going to do your own A/C work? Those Mickey Mouse things won't do the job correctly. You have to compare the high AND low side pressures to properly diagnose the system.
You can get a set for about $30-40 that will do the job for occasional use.
You can get a set for about $30-40 that will do the job for occasional use.
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Well, how do I know I won't have the same problem with them not engaging with some better guages?
And I don't plan on doing my own ac work, I would just like a way to tell if my charge is getting low. Unless there is some service procedure that says you should evacuate and refill every 5 years or something...
And I don't plan on doing my own ac work, I would just like a way to tell if my charge is getting low. Unless there is some service procedure that says you should evacuate and refill every 5 years or something...
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Dont want to doubt you but make sure you have it connected all the way, try to check it with the ac off, sometimes they dont connect all the way and you get zero pressure it should be locked in and you should not be able to pull it off
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Yea, the guage I had with the hose was locked on. It didn't seem as tight as it could be, but it wouldn't pull off. The pencil guage didn't reach far enough in, so I guess it's the same problem. It's an old york compressor that was retrofitted, maybe that's part of the problem.
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