|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
AC diagnosis
Just switched to a sanden compressor with ROLLGUY's kit.
Before the switch, the AC worked great until the R4 compressor welds on the face of the clutch broke. Result was uneven clutch engagement and a horrible sound. But, when the compressor would spin, colling was excelletnt. Before I knew that it was the broken welds, I added a bit (2oz of oil) thinking the compressor had lost oil and was squeaking. I mention this b/c there may be too much oil in the system right now. I swapped in the Sanden, and added 2oz of oil per ROLLGUY's instructions. Dropped in the new dryer he supplied. Pulled vacuum (27-28mm), and it held overnight, so I charged with 36 oz of R134a. With out compressor engaged, high and low sides are at ~110 psi. When I turn on the compressor, the low side pressure falls to -10 psi (vacuum), and the high side rises to just under 150 psi. The compressor is engaging and disengaging properly. There is some cooling happening, but not enough to say it is functioning even poorly. When I disengage the compressor, pressures return to ~110. My thinking is that this is a stuck TxV? (closed) But shouldn't the high side show much higher pressure in that case? I plan to recover the 134a and use compressed air to blow out the oil, then refill with the proper amount, and then recharge. But I want to make sure I fix the actual problem first. Is this likely to be solved with a new expansion valve?
__________________
Current Mercedes 1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed Gone and fondly remembered: 1980 orient red 240D 4-speed Gone and NOT fondly remembered: 1982 Chna Blue 300TD Other car in the stable: 2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I had a similar issue when I first installed my Sanden. Replacing the Expansion Valve solved the problem. It was a bear on my SL, it's not nearly as bad on the 123s and 126s.
__________________
Current Stable
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I also think it's low on refrigerant. |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
he is showing vacuum on the low side. i would bet on a txv sticking shut
__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
It would be interesting if the compressor is so strong that it can pull a vacuum against a TXV that is just open fractionally...........seems unlikely. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Test the Expansion Valve
The symptoms sound like low refrigerant to me. You can test the expansion valve to make sure it is working properly. This web page has a good description. The Case of the Plugged A/C Expansion Valve | Red Dot Corporation | Mobile HVAC
__________________
'82 300D - Light Ivory, 2nd Owner (Back in the wind April 2013!) '95 E300D - White, grey interior. (Suffering from stuck/broken glow plugs) Deuteronomy 22:4- "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again." |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I wanna know HOW the compressor is staying engaged if it's truly pulling into a vacuum...
the low pressure cut out should drop out the compressor when it hits 20. verify your gauges are correct, as -10 and 150 are waaay off for 36oz what is the displacement on the compressor you have? too large a compressor would draw a vacuum through the txv.
__________________
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! |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks all.
VSTech: The compressor was one provided by ROLLGUY, so I assume it is one that has been used successfully on other w123s. I can also tell you that if I pull one of the low pressure cutoff leads on the dryer, the compressor disengages. That seems reasonable since the pressure on the high side remains 100-150 psi at all times. AFAIK low pressure on the high side is the only way the compressor would shutdown in the case of low pressure. As far as I can tell the gages are working properly. My vacuum pump pulls 26-27mm vacuum, and that is exactly what the gage reads. Both high and low gages read similar values when the compressor is off. The only way I could imagine low refrigerant would be if my 134 retrofitted port leaked during the charge. But all three cans were completely spent, and the low pressure hard line frosted over during the charge, so every indication is that the entire 36 oz was introduced into the system. ROLLGUY expressed concern that I had overcharged the system since I was well over 80% of the R12 capacity. This was before I had the pressure readings. fdanielson: I had come across that web page. One thing I will note is that the system's behavior is similar when the interior temp. of the car is ~72* (early morning) and when it is 120* (afternoon). Certainly don't think I could warm the body any more than that with my hand and I am a bit reluctant to aim a heat gun at my plasticized dashboard and its guts!
__________________
Current Mercedes 1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed Gone and fondly remembered: 1980 orient red 240D 4-speed Gone and NOT fondly remembered: 1982 Chna Blue 300TD Other car in the stable: 2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Agreed....
I have replaced many a stuck/obstructed expansion valve on MBZ's over the years....
__________________
Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD????? 1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013 100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
as to why the high pressure is not climbing, it's because no additional refrigerant is being added. obstruction limits flow of refrigerant, and lack of heat into the charge keeps the pressure low.
pull the dryer, and the TXV, and replace, evacuate, and recharge. however, you said your pump only pulls down to 27? if that's the case, you could easily still have moisture in the system, and THAT could stop up the TXV...
__________________
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! |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
'82 300D - Light Ivory, 2nd Owner (Back in the wind April 2013!) '95 E300D - White, grey interior. (Suffering from stuck/broken glow plugs) Deuteronomy 22:4- "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again." |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Another indication of an obstruction is a system that is slow to equalize...
__________________
Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD????? 1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013 100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
I will also reiterate that 36 oz of 134a is way too much for this system. The factory specs call for 2.2 pounds for a 123 chassis, and that is with the R4 (larger capacity than a Sanden). I have found that 20-24 oz works best with the Sanden and stock condenser. If running a PF condenser, even less 134a is adequate.
__________________
All Diesel Fleet 1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL 2005 E320 CDI (daily) LOTS of parts for sale! EGR block kit http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html 1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This! Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst. Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11): http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Update: I opened up the lines and blew them out with compressed air. Oil came out of the low pressure side pretty clean, but there was some crud that came out of the high pressure line (the one from the cabin to the receiver.
So that seems consistent with grit in the constricted side of the Txv. I drained the oil from the compressor, and about 2-4 oz came out - very discolored. My plan is to flush all the lines with solvent, replace the dryer, and TxV. I have some Ester Oil left over, so I plan to put that into the compressor, and drain it back out again to help clean it out. Then I will refill with 6oz of PAG100 per the label on the unit. I saw a video from restaorationair.com that said that 6oz of oil is all a sanden system needs. He said to put the oil in the compressor, turn it over a few times, then install it - no additional oil. Here is the video. Changing the oil in a Sanden Style Compressor - YouTube I will refill with 24oz 134a and see how it goes.
__________________
Current Mercedes 1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed Gone and fondly remembered: 1980 orient red 240D 4-speed Gone and NOT fondly remembered: 1982 Chna Blue 300TD Other car in the stable: 2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
All Diesel Fleet 1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL 2005 E320 CDI (daily) LOTS of parts for sale! EGR block kit http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html 1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This! Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst. Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11): http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html |
Bookmarks |
|
|