2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
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atikovi
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2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Just bought it with the a/c inop. Gauges show around 25 psi so I figure it's just a little low. Connect my drum of freon with a heater and after about 10 minutes it only takes 7 oz. Gauges around 60 low 90 high at 80 degrees. Both lines warm. What should be my next step? It has 220,000 miles so I assume replace the compressor?
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Recover the charge and recharge with proper amount. That way you can eliminate refrigerant charge as a problem. Most AC problems are low refrigerant problems. You could have a stuck control valve in the compressor. Easier to eliminate charge as a troubleshooting step.
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Was able to add another 10oz with engine at 2,000 rpm and air got cold. Soon as it went to idle it was warm again. Seems like control valve issue.
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Need low and high side pressure readings!!!
Really should reclaim and recharge to proper specs as suggested.
Really should reclaim and recharge to proper specs as suggested.
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Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Pressure readings in original post. Will replace the control valve and retest.
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Tim is asking about the pressures AFTER you added the additional 10 ounces.
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
Don't remember now, just that they were higher when I reved it, but not much more at idle.
Re: 2006 Saturn Vue low on freon but can't put much in
A classic dead scroll compressor.
There is no control valve in that compressor. As the scroll unit fails it loses capacity. Spinning the engine to 2500+ rpm will show some cooling. But the scroll is sending debris in to the condenser...
You need to replace both the compressor AND the condenser. The condenser is the primary filter.
On a 200k mile vehicle that may be the third compressor. Lots of trash in the system. Replace the condenser, and the receiver drier when you replace the compressor. Clean the old oil from all of the other components by flushing. Clean the evaporator by removing the expansion block.
Check the low temp sensor on the expansion block while you are there. The sensor sits in a well that contains thermal transfer grease. If the sensor is not making good mechanical contact with the block & grease it will have icing issues when the system is working well. Any heat sink grease is good if it needs more.
If this is a V6 vehicle the front subframe is a problem when changing a compressor. The FSM says to use an engine support from above & to drop the subframe to remove the compressor. A big job.
There is no control valve in that compressor. As the scroll unit fails it loses capacity. Spinning the engine to 2500+ rpm will show some cooling. But the scroll is sending debris in to the condenser...
You need to replace both the compressor AND the condenser. The condenser is the primary filter.
On a 200k mile vehicle that may be the third compressor. Lots of trash in the system. Replace the condenser, and the receiver drier when you replace the compressor. Clean the old oil from all of the other components by flushing. Clean the evaporator by removing the expansion block.
Check the low temp sensor on the expansion block while you are there. The sensor sits in a well that contains thermal transfer grease. If the sensor is not making good mechanical contact with the block & grease it will have icing issues when the system is working well. Any heat sink grease is good if it needs more.
If this is a V6 vehicle the front subframe is a problem when changing a compressor. The FSM says to use an engine support from above & to drop the subframe to remove the compressor. A big job.