Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

paulrv6 on Tue September 06, 2011 8:57 PM

Year: 2005
Make: Toyota
Model: Tacoma
Engine Size: V6
Refrigerant Type: 134a
Country of Origin: United States

I was going to wait untiol it warms up some later in the week before I got pressures and vent temp. I'm comparing this to my wifes neon and that AC gets really cold compared to what my toyota does. Here is some background.
The truck sits most of the time through the winter that is why it only has 15000 miles on it. But 2yrs ago I noticed some oil on the floor dripping from the front of the condenser and I'm sure it was AC oil. I was told that AC systems can leak oil without leaking freon so that it why I never checked further. Now that it seems like the AC isn't as cold as it should I thought I better add it in.
What should the vent temp be at max AC? Is there target pressures I should be at? Where can I find that info? Thanks for the help.

paul cummings

Cussboy on Tue September 06, 2011 10:06 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: paulrv6
2yrs ago I noticed some oil on the floor dripping from the front of the condenser and I'm sure it was AC oil. I was told that AC systems can leak oil without leaking freon so that it why I never checked further. Now that it seems like the AC isn't as cold as it should I thought I better add it in. paul cummings

Paul - I promise you that your system has not lost any freon. Because your 2005 doesn't have "freon", it has R134a.

I'd say a system can leak refrigerant (yours doesn't have "freon") and not leak oil. But not the other way around. And if your system has lost refrigerant, you have a leak that needs to be fixed. Then the correct amount of refrigerant and oil can be added.

Edited: Tue September 06, 2011 at 10:09 PM by Cussboy

GM Tech on Tue September 06, 2011 10:21 PM

No such thing as leaking oil and not refrigerant.....always a loss of refrigerant when you see oil.....just maybe not enough for you to notice...

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

paulrv6 on Thu September 08, 2011 6:46 PM

Ok, I decided to take it to the toyota dealer and have it checked out. But before I go I thought I would check the vent temp. On max temp setting the vent temp was 50 F with a 79 F amb. Is this a bad temp output? I will check the vent temp afterwards to see the difference. Does the vent temp change with amb or should it be the same output if its on the same settings regardless of outside temp?

Also, what is the amt of R134a and oil I should have in my system? I want to know this before I take the truck in so when they evac the system I casn tell how low it was. This info is greatly appeciated. Plus I would like to be alittle bit more knowledgeable about this before the truck goes in.

paul

paulrv6 on Fri September 09, 2011 9:31 PM

Could some one please answer my questions from my last post. I would like to have before going back to the dealer. Thank you

paul

iceman2555 on Sat September 10, 2011 5:01 PM

A temp drop of 29 degrees can be acceptable...depending upon the test condtions. Temperature does change as ambient temps change. Humidity also has an effect. Heck everything seems to affect vent temps.
But seriously, the first step of ANY AC performance concern is to know how much/totall charge refrigerant is in the vehicle.
Specifications for your particular vehicle are printed on a label that iss typically attached to the rad core support/cover.
Good luck.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

paulrv6 on Sat September 10, 2011 9:12 PM

So are you saying that in order for a shop to tell me if my AC system is up to snuff is to check the charge state which costs me 150.00. My truck does blow cold air but just doesn't feel like its cold as it should be. Thanks for all the help with this.

paul

TRB on Sat September 10, 2011 11:24 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: paulrv6
So are you saying that in order for a shop to tell me if my AC system is up to snuff is to check the charge state which costs me 150.00. My truck does blow cold air but just doesn't feel like its cold as it should be. Thanks for all the help with this.



paul

Since you can't tell the amount of refrigerant in a system by pressures. Not sure if there is another way to measure it other than to reclaim it.



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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

mk378 on Sun September 11, 2011 10:35 AM

If you can confirm the condenser is leaking, obviously you're going to have to replace it. It's certain that refrigerant has been lost.