Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

archie on Wed January 20, 2016 7:31 PM

Year: 1990
Make: chevy
Model: astro van
Engine Size: 4.3l
Refrigerant Type: R134A

HI, o.k., I put some gas into the compressor. two things are happening. 1) oil and gas coming out of pressure relief valve where it threads into compressor. 2) when the compressor cycles on, oil and gas come out of hi side service port. the compressor did cycle on and the air was trying to get cold.

Dougflas on Wed January 20, 2016 8:05 PM

what did the gauges indicate?

archie on Wed January 20, 2016 9:18 PM

the low side 35. could not check hi side. when I try to hook up hi side gauge, gas and oil are vented.

Dougflas on Thu January 21, 2016 11:13 AM

hook up the gauges before you run the system.

archie on Thu January 21, 2016 12:35 PM

o.k., will do.

archie on Thu January 21, 2016 12:49 PM

low side 55. hi side 50.

Dougflas on Thu January 21, 2016 6:33 PM

Now run the system and watch the high side. What does it say before the pop off goes off?

archie on Thu January 21, 2016 7:36 PM

when the pressure relief valve went off, I tried to tighten it, I couldn't. as a test I replaced the prv with the bolt that originally came with compressor. now, instead of making an audible sound gas /oil came out. is it possible I stripped the threads where the prv goes? i'll check, but I don't recall the hi side going above 150.

Dougflas on Thu January 21, 2016 7:56 PM

If the valve emits the gas/oil and the high side is at 150 psi, I would think the valve was bad.

archie on Thu January 21, 2016 8:48 PM

I would like to replace the valve. is there a place I can buy it? I did a google search to no avail. what about the oil/gas coming out of the hi side port when the compressor cycles(with the gauge hose attached).

Dougflas on Fri January 22, 2016 8:19 AM

If the high side port is leaking ( you do mean the junction of the fitting at the compressor, right?) then you have either a bad or incorrect sealing washer installed.

archie on Fri January 22, 2016 11:49 AM

no, I mean the service port, where I hook up the hi side gauge. that's where the oil/gas is venting when the gauge is hooked up.

Dougflas on Fri January 22, 2016 2:05 PM

A picture is worth 1000 words. The gauge hose end is either leaking of the R134a adaptor is leaking.

archie on Fri January 22, 2016 3:14 PM

yes, well it has to be the hi side manifold hose. it doesn't leak with the hose disconnected.

archie on Thu January 28, 2016 1:45 PM

hi, sorry. I've been waiting for a part. will post back on my progress. thanks for you help.