[The Deputy]

Originally Posted by honerboys

I believe it calls for 37 ounces of r12 so I figured about 30 ounces of r134 - I may have over charged it a bit as there seems to be hardly any left in the third 12 ounce can - fired it up and it does cool but i'm unimpressed with the output - it's about 92 here in Denver today and I just got back from a little ride - the vent temps were down to around 45 degrees while idling in the shade -

This sounds about right, considering the outside temperature and car is at idle...with minimal airflow across the condenser. Plus, was this after a lengthy period of time. I have found that it takes a remarkably long period of time to cool the ductwork down in this car. If it has been sitting in the sun...110 degrees inside cabin...it takes a good five to ten minutes to get cold air from the vents.

I don't know if these cars can do better but I was expecting it to be like a meat locker - while driving in the sun the cooling seems to be pretty anemic - maybe window tint would help - do these cars have great a/c systems or was I expecting too much?

Don't have my chart here at work, but you have to take several conditions into consideration, before you can say it doesn't seem to be cooling correctly. Humidity, ambient air temperature, airflow across condenser, amount of glass on vehicle all play a large roll in cooling systems.

might try pulling a little of the charge out and seeing if that has any effect

Yes, R134a does not like being over charged and minimal/lesser cooling is usually the results.

- does the electric fan run constantly while a/c is on? - it's a major current draw and the charging needle barely makes it to 12 volts (normally up around 13.5)

My 84's fan does not run continuously while A/C is on, only once it reaches a certain temperature does it kick on.

Check at the battery with a DVM for voltage readings, the gauge is very unreliable...especially under load or if you have never cleaned all of your ground cables or replaced. I've had mine drop to 12V's with A/C on, but when checked with a meter...it is 13.6 volts.

also I don't have the sensor hooked to the alternator intake yet - actually the sensor is hooked up but the tube is just tucked up in the fender - could this affect a/c temps?

I believe it should still do its job whether tube is hooked up to the alternator or not. Maybe it's not getting the same type of airflow over the sensor, but it should work.

Brian.