I just need someone to help me break this down for me.
I have isolated my heat exchanger by replacing the monovalve with a ball valve.
I jumpered the aux fan
I jumpered the other set of leads connecting to the receiver/dryer, this should be the compressor right? (a sort of metallic noise comes from there when I touch the leads together.. lasts maybe 1/4 of a second.. sort of a clang or click)
I took the car to Firestone and had them check out my AC before I jumpered the compressor. The note on my invoice said
!! PUT ENOUGH FREON INTO SYSTEM THAT COMPRESSOR SHOULD ENGAGE BUT SEEMS TO HAVE ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL PROBLEMS, RECOMMEND DEALER OR IMPORT SHOP !!!!!
Funny.. looked like the same amount of charge I had in the system.. they didn't evac it or anything.. just topped it off then scratched their heads. I am impressed with their service department though. They gave me a 20 dollar discount when I told the guy I didn't think it was fair that I paid 45 bucks for a top-off, and they had no clue what was wrong with the system.
So confirm these things for me please:
- My compressor functions the same weather jumpered or hooked to the CCU, so I think the CCU is good.
- My low side pressure drops as I accelerate, so I think my compressor is good.
- Firestone agrees that I have the proper level of refrigerant in my car.. 60psi at Idle/35psi at 2k rpms on the low and 150 at idle, then 160 at 2krpms on the high...
- I think I have a blockage somewhere, or too much lube in my system. Does everyone agree my next step should be evac the system, purge with acetone, and replace the receiver/dryer and expansion valve? My normal import mechanic estimates they can do it for around 200 bucks, and my price will drop more because I will be supplying the expan and dryer... unfortunately my import mechanic is the only one nearby and has a backlog of about 8 days.. so it will be NEXT Tuesday before they can even get me in the bay.
Last question... does everyone agree that R12 will give me a cooler system? One of the mechanics I deployed with has his cert and can buy me R-12. Is it worth it? How much do we need to buy?