can't get to empty the can of 134A - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

a2aa · #1 10-28-2003, 11:51 AM

I'm currently charging my SL500 with a can of 134A. But can't seen to empty the last forth or third of the can. Any tricks to get it out??? Shake the hell out of it??? Put it on top of my head? Voodoo dolls on it? What should I do. I'm on 30 on the low side and needs to be on 35. HAte to open a new can just for 5 more points on the scale. How about the warm water bath??? I'm ready to drive this thing after the evap change that took me 22 hrs to do, this is the light @ the end of the tunnel!!!!

hopefully

dmorrison · #2 10-28-2003, 12:13 PM

Place the can in a warm water bath while connected. About 110 degrees is about right. This will help boil off the freon.DO NOT allow the liquid to enter the system. It can destroy the compressor.

Dave

a2aa · #3 10-28-2003, 12:27 PM

"cool" advice... well actually warm

I'll try that tonight. What can the liquid form of refrigerant do to a compressor?. Does the refigerant can push out liquid form or gas form??? I always thought that it pushes out gas all the time.... So eveyone should know that the can should be dipped in warm water before letting it out??? I know for sure that not everyone does that procedure. And why does the manufacturer not include this in the charging instructions? Shed some light on the subject, please..

dmorrison · #4 10-28-2003, 12:46 PM

The freon goes thru the compressor in a gas state. The compressor can not compress the liquid. Therefore the liquid going thru the compressor would be like puting a liquid in the cylinder of the engine. It does not compress and something will have to give. In this case it will be a piston or connecting rod. About the same thing with your compressor.
So the freon is connected to the suction side of the compressor. It only sucks gas. It can suck or be force fed liquid but you don't want to do that.

The training manuals will talk about warming the freon container. Don't over heat the container, it can explode. 110-120 water is fine.

With the larger freon tanks (20#), you can buy an electric blanket to warm the tank.

Dave

engatwork · #5 10-28-2003, 01:03 PM

There is alot of good reading at ackits.com. You can read all about it there. For a little more information some cars can be charged with liquid. I've always thought it would be interesting to see how systems are charged on a high production assembly line.

a2aa · #6 10-28-2003, 01:51 PM

makes alot of sense. so why do they offer"charging kits" with oil in it already , as a form of liquid, refrigerant oil would do the same damage to the system if fed in the suction port with compressor engaged , correct? Why even offer it?

I will "warm" my can tonight- no problem getting it to 98.6 degrees if I put it between my legs

....I better not... I'll go with the warm water bath and aim for 110 degrees......instread