Stupid AC question.......

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

I am attempting to recharge my AC system with one of the kits but I'm not sure I'm using the right port to put in the R134a . It's the port right in front of the reservoir with the sight glass on top? The only other ports I can find are located on top of the compressor ... not easy to get to! Using this port I can get very little ( half a can) 134a in there before the pressure goes to 45-50 psi but I get a stream of bubbles in the sight glass which means the refrigerant is low? Anybody got a clue?

aj951 · 06-02-2008, 09:01 AM

I am pretty sure that the port you are using is the high side port (if it is located on the same line as the dryer with the site glass) and the port near the compressor is the low side port. You should be using the low side port to put the refrigerant charge in your system. Also when charging a system designed for R12 with R134A, you use less refrigerant than the system was designed for and you will have bubbles in the sight glass even though the charge is correct.

A.J.

mattdavis11 · 09:43 AM

The low side is on the compressor, and it's a bytch to charge. Charging on the high side can work, but you might lose a hand. It's a pain in the ass. Shorten the belt? And 83%, works for me.

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

Well, shucks, I knew this couldn't be that easy. Thanks for the info, guys

tnporsche · tnporsche's Garage

I used freeze 12 and it only took, the oil charge (it has 2 oz F12) and one half 8 oz can of F12. I too have bubbles but it cools great . I tried to do it without a set of gauges using just the low side hose and blew the seals in the pump. BAD JUJ JUJ LOL

Now I swear I'll never charge again without knowing what the high side is, and use the temp chart!

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

Well I guess I'm going to have 2-60 ( maybe 2-80) air this summer cause there's no way to get the 134a adapter on the low side port. Even if I could get the adapter on, the connector to the refrigerant couldn't fit in the small space. There must be a different adapter setup for doing this ???!!!

mattdavis11 · 05:20 PM

A 1 inch shorter belt and a 90 degree 134 fitting works best. Napa has the belt, or they did. NBH25050390.

Yep, they still have it. http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(dt2h2nyadldw4555vdollvqa))/Detail.aspx?R=NBH25050390_0117502550

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

Thanks, Matt... I'll get the belt and give it a try. I don't really need the air but I just want to get everything working...I'm sure you understand LOL!