Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

dudechevy on Thu June 26, 2014 1:23 PM

Year: 2003
Make: VW
Model: Jetta
Engine Size: 1.8T
Refrigerant Type: 134A
Ambient Temp: 92
Pressure Low: 58
Pressure High: 185
Country of Origin: United States

I have a 03 Jetta with the 1.8T engine, with 180,000 miles. My a/c works, just not real well. . On days when it is 80 degrees outside it blows about 50 degrees at the vent and holds pretty steady. When the outside temp reaches the low 90’s it will get down to 50, but then goes up to the low 70s, then cools back down. When I can watch the compressor, it is staying kicked in while the vent temp is going up and down. When I hook up my gauges, the low side runs about 55 psi, and the high side runs about 185. So I thought the low side was too high. Let out pressure and the high side drops faster than the low side. When the pressure on the low side gets to about 37 psi the high side is about 80. Both of the radiator fans work.

I am not sure if I need a new compressor because it is just not building up pressure, or if something is just stopped up somewhere. Where is there a filter in the lines? What do y’all think? The freon tag under the hood says 50+, does that mean the max low side pressure is 50?

David

TRB on Thu June 26, 2014 2:29 PM

These compressors are known to have control valve issues. Sad thing is the valve is not really a serviceable item like many GM compressors.

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dudechevy on Thu June 26, 2014 2:49 PM

So is the control valve is not the same as the expansion valve? Sounds like as bad as i hate to spend the money that my compressor is bad. What all should I replace at the same time?

David

bohica2xo on Mon June 30, 2014 12:20 AM

Perhaps you should study the way a refrigeration system works a little more. Just throwing parts at it is expensive & frustrating.

You have a 10+ year old, high mileage system. The high side is a little low, which could indicate a weak compressor - or an undercharged system. You released refrigerant? If anything it was already low on refrigerant. Systems leak. I have never seen one gain refrigerant.

The only way to know for sure where you are at is to recover the charge, pull a vacuum and re-charge the system by weight. Then you can test & evaluate if it does not cool properly with a full charge.

.


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"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
~ Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autobiography, M. K. Gandhi, page 446.