Then I did the impossible just a few weeks ago. The warmth from my hands was sufficient to empty the can into the system. And another one, and another one. That's enough over 2.2 lbs to account for the hoses.

if the car is in direct sunlight, it could be difficult, but if not, the system will indeed take over 3 lbs of liquid without engaging the compressor.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Well, this project which promised so much (parallel flow condenser and ES-12 performance) is really starting to suck.

Here's what we have so far.

Compressor is now running. I checked the relays - they both worked when 9v put across them. Checked all the fuses. Fine. PUt 12V across the clutch and it engaged. Hmmm. Doubled checked the fuses again in frustration - Fuse 14 was blown - How I didn't see that the last 3 times I checked the fuses, I don't know. Or maybe it just blew. I dunno.

Anyway, so now the compressor engages.

But, after 4 cans of ES-12 (6oz ea, supposed to be equivalent to 18oz R12) the low side still sucks a vacuum of 20 inHG and the high side is at 130PSI. FSM says it should be 30-45psi low, and about 250PSI high, given 85F ambient and 70 humidity.

SHHHEEEESH! What now? Put another can in? I really don't think there's a leak.

Low side too low and high side too low is classic low refrigerant isn't it?

Yes, VSTech, looks like I probably didn't get all the water out. At 26inHG water boils at 124F, vs 76F at 29inHG. Anyway, probably got most out of out, he says hopefully....

__________________
1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

Your high side also suggests insufficient refrigerant.

If you get the low side to be correct, but the high side is spiking, you likely have air in the system. That will cause excessive high-side pressure, with no help for cooling.

Is it legal to reclaim this stuff and burn it in your grill?

Yeah, I've heard ES-12 is just propane, but when I looked at the MSDS it didn't make it clear. Alkanes or something.

So you think I should throw another can at it? High side is not spiking. It sits at 130PSI all the time the compressor is running.

I'm wondering how the lower pressures or characteristics of ES-12 effect the EX valve?

__________________
1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

I don't know about the TXV with that stuff, but you need to have pressure in the low-side line to prevent the evaporator from freezing. Too little pressure and you will have excessive clutch cycling, which will wear it out.

Expansion valve stuck closed, or restriction in suction side of system?

__________________
1983 300D 280,000
1983 300TD 125,000 Killed by oak tree.
1983 240D Sold
1986 Ford F250 Diesel 6.9l 169,000

You can't tell without the proper refrigerant level, but I would guess no. Consider the high-side reading.

I doubt the first, second and definately the third can was 'empty'.

So, You heard a sucking sound when you disconnected the can(s)
???

I do not doubt the accuracy of the triple-beam scale that I measured them on. I weighed the cans after disconnecting them on a Ohaus triple-beam scale, then again after discharging the "heel." 20 grams remained in each can. I'd call that "empty." How about you?

This does work.

I'd be willing to bet $100 that there was still a 'positive' pressure in those cans when you released them. Heck... make that $500.

I am 100% positive that there was pressure in the cans! That's not the issue at all.

There was no liquid left in the cans. That's the issue. All of the liquid went into the lines, and most of it went into the AC system.

Then the cans were NOT empty. There's no liquid in the system when it is static. If that's the "issue".

Still, I'd bet money that one cannot get 3lbs from cans into the MB system without the compressor running.

You are not understanding the process, and thus you don't believe. I'll take that bet for any amount of money that you want, but it will have to be enough to compensate me for my time. I'll even overcharge your system, if you want, without the compressor running. Let's make that bet a cool grand. I don't need the money, but I could find something to spend it on.

I tell you, this is industry standard practice. This is nothing new. Only DIYers who don't know better charge as a gas.

$1K it is then. And, if you don't need the money then why would you need to be compensated for your time?

How do we want to do this???

Either way, I'm confident it cannot be done. No need for a pissing a match here. But, I'll accept paypal.