Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Coldhell on Sat May 31, 2014 6:34 PM

Year: 2006
Make: Saturn
Model: Vue
Engine Size: 3.5
Refrigerant Type: 134a

Well I have an issue that I can figure out and rather throw $ after $ at it I want to see what it could be.

When I first bought it it was back in 2008. About a year later I had A/C issues and they(dealer) replace the compressor and charged the system. A month later it did it again and they had to replace the evaporator, All under warranty thank God!

Fast forward to 2010, and same thing. Took it to another dealer and they had to replace the compressor AGAIN!

Here we are at 2014 and it is doing the same thing. It would cool only when RPM's above 1.5. At idle it would not be cool at all.

Now it won't even do that. The compressor does kick on and clutch engages. The high and Low side you can see from the pics. This was before I replaced the Control Valve on the back of the compressor.

CAR OFF 87F 60% Humid


CAR ON


I replaced the valve but still the same thing. Here is a pic of the old one on the right and new one shiny brass color:

Coldhell on Sat May 31, 2014 6:36 PM

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tyaeq2ja86rgua/2014-05-25%2014.54.56.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8yixw23wipvhtw0/2014-05-25%2014.54.12.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bsowox59zf6v0p5/2014-05-31%2013.29.01.jpg


It does not look like it wants to post pics.

davey6693 on Sat May 31, 2014 7:42 PM

50 psi when off seems a little low to me at 87F. I believe my system probably is around 80-90 psi on both high and low sides before engaging the compressor. Leaking? After 3 compressor failures, did they ever replace the condenser? I'd imagine it would be plugged up pretty good if any mechanical damage to the compresor resulted in fragments entering the condenser.

mk378 on Sat May 31, 2014 9:10 PM

I agree, there's hardly any refrigerant in there. You should have static pressure of about 90 at that ambient temperature. Variable compressor systems must be fully charged by weight before you can evaluate performance. They do strange things on a low charge.

Coldhell on Sat May 31, 2014 9:15 PM

I pulled vacuum on it for an hour and then let it sit for and hour and it stayed. I added 28 oz to the system and now it is 90/90 off and 50 100 on not blowing cool at all. Compressor does kick on.

Coldhell on Sat May 31, 2014 9:47 PM

I think I might just order the whole kit. Compressor, drier, txv, oil, and orings. $216. That should about do it I hope. If not a gallon of gas and a match.

webbch on Sat May 31, 2014 11:54 PM

This case just screams that the condenser is full of metal shrapnel from previous compressors. If it was my car with that history, a proper flush of the entire system AND a new condenser would be at the TOP of my priority list. Given the history, a new TXV is probably in order as well. If the compressor is unable to pump up the high side pressure (which appears to be the case from the photos and description), it would get replaced as well. New drier goes without saying, and orings are just cheap insurance against leaks.

Coldhell on Sun June 01, 2014 12:13 AM

I just ordered the condenser as well. I was thinking it might be messed up because of the smaller holes it has to go through.

webbch on Sun June 01, 2014 10:40 AM

Just make sure you thoroughly flush any components you're re-using - the lines, evap, etc.

Coldhell on Sun June 01, 2014 4:12 PM

I will be reusing the evap and one hose. Should be an easy flush. After loaning out my tools to my son and friends I had to go buy some new ones. Figured 50%+ additional 15% off Gearwench is a good price to go with. All my parts should be in by Friday at the latest so until then I have to suffer in this Florida heat.

HECAT on Tue June 03, 2014 10:03 AM

Quote
Originally posted by: Coldhell
I will be reusing the evap and one hose. Should be an easy flush.

I wish there was such a thing as an easy flush. Pouring in and blowing, spray can flushes, and the little u-fill flush guns, appear to make this process easy; but in reality they are very ineffective. The Evap will be the largest internal open chamber and usually contains much of the old system oils. A large amount of solvent with velocity (sometimes not so easy to do without proper tooling) is required to effectively flush out all the oils; and a large, long, and effective drying blow to be sure all solvents have been completely removed (i.e. dried out good). If interested, the PDF file in my signature may help, as it explains a lot more about proper system flushing.

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HECAT: www.hecatinc.com You support the Forum when you consider www.ackits.com for your a/c parts.

FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

Coldhell on Wed June 04, 2014 10:05 PM

Would 200 psi do it or I have 5 scuba tanks at 3000 psi adjustable.