What would cause an AC system that is apparently fully charged NOT cool effectively any more?
Here's the history:
The AC system in my 66 Chrysler T&C (dual AC) has been working splendidly for YEARS up to the last few months - meat locker cold under almost all conditions.
Back in the 90s the system was professionally converted to use R134A, and as that conversion was a bit of a new thing in the industry, getting the right charge weight was a challenge, and the result was not entirely satisfactory at first. However, things improved, and I got better results. However, by the end of a season, and certainly over each winter the R134A would leak out and I'd need a recharge (expensive). So I did some research and found that a lot of people got excellent results with Butane-based refrigerants like DuraCool. I was told that it was essentially a direct replacement (no evacuation and replacement of compressor oil etc), so I went ahead. DuraCool is easily found at my local Walmart up here in Canada, so I stocked up on a few sales, and still have a few cans left.
The results were spectacular. Excellent AC performance, MUCH longer charge life (2 YEARS as compared to 1 season before needing to add anything) and the I could do it myself. I keep a small thermometer in the vents, and if the vent temp starts not being as cold as usual (temps typically hover at 32 F and perhaps a bit cooler on a cooler day or a bit higher on a real scorcher), I'd just add another can of refrigerant, and the system would go right back to being freeze your cojones off cold.
Not any more. This summer the temp started creeping up at the vents, so I thought it was time to add another can. However, it wouldn't take it. I would think it would suck as much in as you could give it to the point of overcharging, but I couldn't get ANY to go in. I wasted one can thinking it was a faulty can, and the next one I tried did the same thing. I've currently got that can back on the shelf with the valve and hose assembly screwed down on it, and hopefully it won't leak down and I can use the can's contents later once I get things figured out.
As far as I can determine, the system is apparently fully charged. Due to its performance over the last few years, it certainly isn't overcharged...
So - what gives here?
Would an AC system require a periodic maintenance such as a complete evacuation, some sort of solvent flush to remove deposits and free up any internal things from being gummed up?
Looking forward to any of the AC pundits' responses.
Here's the history:
The AC system in my 66 Chrysler T&C (dual AC) has been working splendidly for YEARS up to the last few months - meat locker cold under almost all conditions.
Back in the 90s the system was professionally converted to use R134A, and as that conversion was a bit of a new thing in the industry, getting the right charge weight was a challenge, and the result was not entirely satisfactory at first. However, things improved, and I got better results. However, by the end of a season, and certainly over each winter the R134A would leak out and I'd need a recharge (expensive). So I did some research and found that a lot of people got excellent results with Butane-based refrigerants like DuraCool. I was told that it was essentially a direct replacement (no evacuation and replacement of compressor oil etc), so I went ahead. DuraCool is easily found at my local Walmart up here in Canada, so I stocked up on a few sales, and still have a few cans left.
The results were spectacular. Excellent AC performance, MUCH longer charge life (2 YEARS as compared to 1 season before needing to add anything) and the I could do it myself. I keep a small thermometer in the vents, and if the vent temp starts not being as cold as usual (temps typically hover at 32 F and perhaps a bit cooler on a cooler day or a bit higher on a real scorcher), I'd just add another can of refrigerant, and the system would go right back to being freeze your cojones off cold.
Not any more. This summer the temp started creeping up at the vents, so I thought it was time to add another can. However, it wouldn't take it. I would think it would suck as much in as you could give it to the point of overcharging, but I couldn't get ANY to go in. I wasted one can thinking it was a faulty can, and the next one I tried did the same thing. I've currently got that can back on the shelf with the valve and hose assembly screwed down on it, and hopefully it won't leak down and I can use the can's contents later once I get things figured out.
As far as I can determine, the system is apparently fully charged. Due to its performance over the last few years, it certainly isn't overcharged...
So - what gives here?
Would an AC system require a periodic maintenance such as a complete evacuation, some sort of solvent flush to remove deposits and free up any internal things from being gummed up?
Looking forward to any of the AC pundits' responses.
