Hello,

95 explorer

Every time the compressor kick on the pressure relief valve blows. No pressure reading test have been done due to the fact that valve just keeps blowing refrigerant and oil all over the engine. Does anybody know if that would be a clog or the compressor is shot? The suv has 195,000 miles. The compressor is the original factory installed. I feel very luck to have gotten that much out of it, hopefully I can get a little more but then again maybe not. Any help would be great.

Thanks!!!

 

How long does it take to "blow"? Cold engine or warm? What's the ambient temp? Is tthis an R-12 or R134-a system (should be R134a).

Without knowing the high and low side pressure, there is no way to tell why the valve is releasing. If you answer these questions, an educated guess can be made.

 

Hello,

Thanks for the help. I have figured out the problem. I have no idea how this happened since I haven't added refrigerant since last summer and everything was fine. I desided to try the easiest thing I could think of that could cause this and that was remove some refrigerant and low and behold it was way over charged. All seems to be working now. My only question is was any damage done due to the over filling and is there anything I need to do? The system is R134a. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

If it was overcharged, I suggest evacuating the entire system and recharging it. You will need the right equipment to do this.

 

When you add fluid, you really need a manifold gauge set and a thermometer. You measure the high and low side pressure as you add refrigerant, and aim for a certain high side pressure, which varies according to the ambient temperatures.

The gauges that come with the recharge kits are almost worthless, since they do not monitor the high side pressure (the most important pressure), and they do not adjust for temperature. The low side pressure can normally drop as low as 20 psi on the low side, and if you recharge the system to 28 psi, or whatever, you can be way off. The pressure will also be lower when it is cold. You really need the correct equipment to recharge AC. Since yours was overpressurized, I strongly recommend having a shop do a service check and make sure everything is working properly.

 

Thank you for all the help. I do have a set of good gauges, vacuum pump (2 stage), and uv leak test kit etc....... the only thing I can't do is remove refrigerant that I will have the shop due for me. The a/c is working pretty good right now but I am pretty sure I have a leak. I am new to this but I like to learn and you have all helped me. Thanks!!!!

 

You still need a thermometer. Working without a thermometer is like a dentist working without x-rays.