Hello. I'd like to get everyone's opinion on what my issue could be, before I go out and buy a new compressor (current one on the car is ~1 year old).
Recently, the safety valve on the compressor went out, causing me to lose all r134. Without knowing what the issue was at first and seeing I had no pressure with a gauge (single gauge that comes with can, not a manifold) attached, I filled it back up. The compressor turned on and cold air came out, until it all came out of the safety valve again.
Yesterday, I figured since the system was down and out, it'd be a good time to do a little refurbishing. I cleaned the air box, evaporater, and blower motor. Then installed a new TXV, reciever/drier, and compressor safety valve.
After pulling a 45 minute vaccum to -29.3inHg and waiting one hour after to verify the system was holding a vaccuum, I began to charge the system. The low side pressure was at ~100, the high side was only ~50. The clutch was engaged, but no cold (or even cool) air was coming out of the vents.
Any ideas? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

expansion valve

 

Why was the compressor replaced a year ago?

How long was the system empty before the compressor was replaced a year ago?

Was there any noise coming from the compressor when you had these recent readings on your manifold gauges?

What is the condition of the compressor drive belt and is it set at the proper tension?

 

What orifice tube did you install?

And where did you install it?

 

Yes, but why?

Is it because the system has excessive moisture in it or a faulty expansion valve?

 

The reason why I ask is because an orifice tube is part of a system that has an accumulator mounted on the low side of the system before the evaporator.

You have a receiver/dryer mounted on the high side with an expansion valve metering refrigerant off the outlet tube of the evaporator.

 

The expansion valve is brand new as of yesterday, how can that be?

The compressor was installed last year because the previous owner didn't have one installed, so I'm not sure how long it was open. The system, at the time, was flushed out before installation.

The current compressor I have was not making any noises at all, belt is still new looking, and there is proper tension applied.

The 93 Del Sol has an orifice tube? I didn't have the option to purchase one when I went to Advance Auto. The only products under the category were expansion valves.

Thank you for the fast replies!

 

I just realized I typed that in my original post. I meant to type reciever/drier instead. Sorry about the confusion.

 

Is the expansion valve bulb clipped onto the outlet tube of the evaporator?

Is the bulb wrapped with special tape insulating it from the cabin air temperature?

 

When you had your manifold gauges hooked up, what temperature was it where you were working on your del Sol?

What was the humidity?

How far above sea level are you?

If you got 29.3" of Hg, you must be close to sea level. 29.92" Hg is perfect vacuum. How long were you hooked up to the vacuum pump before the low side gauge read 29.3" Hg?

 

When you installed all you new A/C parts, what was the last component you hooked up?

Did you add any oil to the new receiver/dryer?

This is a 1993 del Sol, so this car came from the factory with R-12 refrigerant?

 

Yeah my 93 del sol came with R12 and I don't believe the seals/ O-rings are compatible with holding R 134. Also if you change your O-rings to R 134 types the A/C system will still not cool as effectively as it does with R12.

I use a A/C shop. They have the R12 and they put a vacuum on the line for hours, sometimes I just leave the car overnight.

 

Okay, I am reading this and I am interpreting you have R12 in your car right now?

It is illegal to use R-12 in a vehicle today under most conditions. The penalties of imprisonment and fines are steep.

EPA requirements for a Retrofit (R-12 to R-134a)
In order to prevent discharge of refrigerant into the atmosphere, a high-pressure compressor shutoff switch must be installed on any system equipped with a pressure relief device.

If yours dumped all your refrigerant into the atmosphere, then your car must either have a faulty switch or it is non-existent.

 

Yes it is, and I put a couple zip ties to reinforce it. I noticed the original one was beginning to peel off from dirt building up.


Humidity yesterday was between 40-50% and the temp was 88. I'm in FL so I'm very close to sea level. It took around 30 seconds to get 20inHg, then about 5-10 minutes, I'd say, to get 29.3inHg.

The last component to be installed was the drier, to ensure minimum air exposure. The oil was mixed in with the r134a I used.


It's been converted before I bought the car and worked perfectly fine up until the safety valve went and I redid everything yesterday.


I'm so stumped with this...

 

Also I wanted to add, my high side lines are very hot to the touch. You can't hold on to them for more than a few seconds. The low side lines are somewhat cool.

 

Who is working on this car? Is it you or a shop?

Who is going to be working on the car from here on out?

I am assuming the the oil you added was from a can of R134a with oil.

A del Sol that came from the factory with R-134a would use polyalkylene glycol (PAG) 46 oil which is low viscosity.

Your del sol with R-12 would use mineral oil.

Your del Sol now would use ester oil if you are running parts left over from R-12 with a retrofit to R-134a.

So then, oil in the can with R134A, unless it said ester oil, you have an issue.

Instead of me having to wait and not understand what you mean here in these posts, if you would like you can PM me your phone number and we can try to resolve this over the phone. I have too many questions to list.

 

I don't mind giving you my number, you seem very knowledgeable.

I just went on a bike ride to clear my head and do some thinking about all the work I've done and where I could have gone wrong. I attached a picture of an expansion valve and I circled the part that didn't get wrapped up in that insulating tape. Would that make a difference? Also does that tape have to be brand new each time? I reused the old one because it was still sticky, but it may not be making a complete airtight seal.

If none of that would cause this, I'll give you my number. Thank you again for all your help. I really appreciate it all!

 

You should use new tape each time and the bigger bulb itself needs to be wrapped. The little tube you circled is left over capillary tube. I have never seen one with that much excess. Yes, I would wrap that as well if possible.

You wrap it with "presstite" insulation tape or equivalent.

 

I just ordered this. I'll get back with you after it arrives and I redo that. Thanks!!

 

That's a pretty cool icon lol

 

A professional A/C shop can still legally use R12

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_can_you_get_R12_freon

 

Sounds like there's a blockage in the system.

 

Amateurs shouldn't be screwin' with A/C systems.

 

I see you're bored today. Go be immature on whatever social media is popular with the kids nowadays, unless you have something actually constructive to say. This is as far as I'm going with acknowledging your petty responses.

I was thinking that at first, but the fact it was blowing cold air the second time I refilled it after the safety valve went had me thinking otherwise. I'm waiting for the prestite tape to arrive, either today or tomorrow, and I'll redo the TXV bulb. What makes you think there's a blockage in the system all of a sudden?