A/C issues in my 2001

[WhileInTheWild]

My 2001 intermittently doesn't blow cold so it seemingly has a refrigerant leak as it has no other issues with blowing, no weird noises etc but there is a slight damp smell just before the cooling cuts out. I was just going to go get one of those kits to top it up but the slight damp smell has got me thinking it is likely worth while having a shop find & fix the leak, vacuum the system and recharge it.

What do y'all think? What shops do the A/C work? Anyone have a guy in Houston?

[4.3LXJ]

You are right, it is a little low. The coil is too cold and freezing into a block of ice. That damp smell is the unfrozen water not dripping out the condensate drain. You could do this yourself and save some $$. I don't live in Houston, but the yellow pages will give you lots of shops that specialize in AC

[WhileInTheWild]

Thanks, by DIY do you mean just the recharge kit (am fine with doing that myself) or something further?

[4.3LXJ]

The kit will do fine for you

[WhileInTheWild]

Before I do something stupid can someone please confirm what port is the low pressure service port? I was convinced it was the black port at the back as that is on the larger diameter hose but then I saw that green evap service port so now I'm not so sure.

http://i.imgur.com/277NRe8.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Your kit will only fit the small port, the green one

[WhileInTheWild]

Are you sure? The green port is screw on and the kit's fitting seems to big, the kit's website says it is the black one at the back (only just now looked that up)

http://i.imgur.com/fRsKU4W.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Then use that one. Personally that is the one I would want to use anyway. The kit I had for a retrofit used the smaller one. Use the one the kit fits

[downsy]

Of the two ports on the AC system the hook up will only fit one of them. The High pressure port is a different size than the low pressure port.

Also that green capped one is not AC related. It think that's emissions related.

[WhileInTheWild]

Thanks all, it was indeed the black port at the back in my pic. However when I tested the pressure it was just inside the cone but as I charged it I could only get the pressure just w little past where it is in the pic below, is that expected? Seemed I charged it a lot (stopping, checking & shaking every 10-15 sec) so should I have just kept going or is it good where it is (local ambient temp according to wunderground is 85)? It was blowing pretty cold while sitting in the driveway.

http://i.imgur.com/uk46HzJ.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Charging is best done with the can upside down. R134 is a blend and the lighter molecules boil off first and cool the rest. Turn it upside down and continue

[WhileInTheWild]

Gah! You'd think the manufacturer would say that then but it says to hold it upright. Where ideally should the needle be, just strongly within their cone based on ambient temp?

[4.3LXJ]

Yes, when running

[4.3LXJ]

I should add this. The reason the manufacturer wants to have you use the can upright is that it is possible to dump too much liquid into the system and damage the compressor. So, do it slowly. In the AC industry we always charge with the can upside down, or large bottle. Even with R12, if you fully charge a system from scratch it will make the refrigerant too cold to boil off. So the trick is to use the can upside down, but charge slowly since a little liquid makes a lot of vapor once inside the system.

[downsy]

The system will also get to a point where the pressure in the can is the same as the pressure in the low side of the system and you simply can't force anymore in there without switching to a new can.

[WhileInTheWild]

I got it as far as I could with that can, will monitor and see how it goes, checking pressure here & there and if need be get a fresh can. Thanks for the help, this is all new to me but I'm willing to read up and ask questions when need be so your assistance really helps!

[4.3LXJ]

You can always warm the can. You really need to get the right blend into it so it will function properly

[WhileInTheWild]

That can is spent, must have used it upright for too long.