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A/C clutch will not engage

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Old Jun 4, 2020 | 04:50 PM
  #11  
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Don't let those results fail you. I've had A/C systems pass a vacuum test fine, but the second you put pressure in it, there is a leak at on o-ring. If you have access to 150psi of shop air, pressurize the a/c system, then watch the gauges. I know, some people recommend not doing this because of the drier filter. But because the system is probably 11 years old, now is the time to do a full service. Change the drier and expansion valve out and all the o-rings.
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Old Jun 4, 2020 | 05:12 PM
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thank you Mike, I did put in some 134A into the system and in about 45 seconds the clutch kicked in while putting in the freon , the low side gauge got up to 30 psi but the air is not cold, just slightly cool
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Old Jun 4, 2020 | 05:17 PM
  #13  
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the car is 21 years old and the AC has worked great up until now, so i guess i got my monies worth out of it, is the expansion valve up in the dash?
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Old Jun 4, 2020 | 09:01 PM
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i found out where the orifice tube is located.i jumped the gun and put in the freon before putting in the orifice tube and the dryer, I will have to evacuate the system and get the new parts and put in more freon, just how much freon is the system suppose to take after it has been evacuated
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 08:37 AM
  #15  
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after the AC system has been evacuated, how many ounces of freon does it take to fill the system??????
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 08:43 AM
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when you perform an evacuation on the ac system does that mean the compressor gets evacuated as well???????
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 09:47 AM
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You should find a sticker somewhere in the engine compartment indicating how much freon it takes.

How are you removing the existing freon?
How are you evacuating the system?
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 10:34 AM
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I will have to take the car to a shop that can remove the freon safely then i can rent a vacuum pump from o reillys and some gauges and run the pump for an hour, on the sicker it says 2lbs which would be 32 ounces, when doing the evacuation with the pump i assume it takes it out of the compressor as well
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 11:52 AM
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When a shop 'recovers' freon, it is removed from the entire system. When they do this, ask them to replenish the PAG oil that is sometimes removed. If they don't know what you are asking of them, probably best to find a different shop. Once they pull the freon out, they will usually let the machine run its course, which once it senses the freon is, out, will automatically put a 10 minute vacuum on it. Then the system is ready for a recharge or introduction of PAG oil. Anytime you replace A/C parts-hoses, driers etc, you have to measure how much oil came out of that part. Add it all up, then you replace what you took out.
Now that the system has a vacuum on it, bring it back home, do your repairs, do your 1 hour vac ,then charge to spec.
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Old Jun 5, 2020 | 11:53 AM
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If your system is vac'd properly, you can use 2- 1lb cans of charge. Gauges won't be necessary unless you plan on diagnosing future issues.
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