Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Year: 2001
Make: VW
Model: Eurovan single a/c 120k miles
Engine Size: 2.8
Refrigerant Type: R-134A
Ambient Temp: 70
Pressure Low: 35
Pressure High: 87
Country of Origin: United States

Pressures didn't significantly change between idle and 2500rpm. I have noticed a fair amount of noise in the cabin when the a/c is on, but no significant noise a the compressor itself with a stethoscope. Some leakage visible with a UV light around the compressor clutch.

Duct temps 63F, so not really cooling much. Is my compressor shot? In that case, I imagine it is necessary to flush and replace the expansion valve and drier.

Edited to fix title (was European)

Your pressures are waaay off.
Suggest have a shop recover, weight, and reinstall correct amount of refrigerant. Then you can proceed with diagnostics. This should not be a a lot of money, less than $100. I have concerns for your compressor BTW
If comp is shot, there will be more parts to replace, as in everything from comp to the firewall, incl condenser

After you recover/evacuate/recharge as suggested, if you still don't see any substantial difference in the pressures, then suspect the fixed-displacement compressor, which doesn't seem to be doing much.

Suggest retaining the original TXV If it still looks good. The R/D gets replaced every time you open the system, though.

Thanks to you both. This is a Sanden SD7V16, so everything I've read says it's a variable displacement compressor. Not sure if it makes any difference. I'll try the evac/replace next.

Elise111 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 12:04 pm This is a Sanden SD7V16, so everything I've read says it's a variable displacement compressor. Not sure if it makes any difference. I'll try the evac/replace next.

According to the specs that I have, the OE compressor is a fixed-displacement type, which must have been changed to a variable-displacement compressor at some point. After you recover the refrigerant but before you evacuate and recharge the system, suggest changing the control valve while you have the system empty of refrigerant because the valve can't be replaced while the system is pressurized.