|
In the early spring of 2006, I prepared to get my daughter from college, just north of Columbus. Roof rack, Volvo cargo box(empty), just minimum luggage, and an AC check. The outside temp was 55F in MN and 85F in OH, so I topped off the system with 2 12oz cans the night before.
In the morning, we started to drive down the street. Something was making a death rattle in the engine bay. I pulled over and couldn't find anything wrong. We spent 2 days getting to Columbus without incedent.
When we went to pack up my daughter's junk, the car sat in the sun for 4 hours with the temp close to 85F, on asphault. All packed up, we said bye-bye to the roommates, started the car, drove 100ft, and BANG!! Something blew in the engine compartment!!
I got out and looked under the car and noticed a puddle of greenish fluid. I thought I had blown an antifreeze hose. A mechanic shop was down hill about 2 blocks away, so I coasted down and had him come to look at it. He couldn't find anything leaking!! All of the hoses looked OK. Started the engine and no problems.
I called the nearest dealer in Dublin, OH and told them I was coming by for a check. It was almost 4pm so the bays were empty. A mechanic put it up on the lift and couldn't find anything wrong, except for yellow dye all over the bottom of the engine. The compressor has a relief valve that popped. It probably put about 8 oz of liquid r134a on the pavement, which quickly evaporated.
I drove back to MN without a problem. Once home, I added some more R134a because the system was getting low again.
To shorten the story, yes, you can overfill it, but you probably will not harm anything.
---------------------------
To verify the system being low, pull the wires off the pressostat and short them with a paper clip. If the AC is switched on and engine running, the clutch should kick in. If so, add r134a until both pipes get cold - but no more than that. You should hold the can at 90 degrees for a couple of minutes and then upside down to get the last of the can.
At a minimum, you want 45psi. Best fit is just over 60psi with the engine turned off. But cold pipes in and out of the firewall is ideal.
Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.
|
