AC Depressurization
#1
AC Depressurization
I want to do my own repair work on my 1994 Ram 1500 4x4 air conditioner, one to save money, and two so I can become more DIY proficient. I don't know what's wrong with the AC yet, just that it's not cooling at maximum efficiency. Temp out of the vent only reaches 50 degrees and that's only after driving for 30 minutes or so. I don't have access to the big dollar refrigerant reclamation device. I do have a set of gauges for 134a, and am looking at buying Harbor Freight's $104 2.5 CFM pump, or one at a pawn shop if I can find a decent one.
My questions are, how do I depressurize the system in order to work on it once I figure out what I think is wrong? And, am I correct in thinking that regardless of what component I have to work on, the system needs to be depressurized?
I've never done any AC work before and am tired of paying others to do what I think I can do myself with just a little help from The Forum.
Thanks in advance for your advice and help.
My questions are, how do I depressurize the system in order to work on it once I figure out what I think is wrong? And, am I correct in thinking that regardless of what component I have to work on, the system needs to be depressurized?
I've never done any AC work before and am tired of paying others to do what I think I can do myself with just a little help from The Forum.
Thanks in advance for your advice and help.
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My mistake in trying to remember last weeks readings I reported in my earlier post because it wasn't right. It was actually 52 and 220.
Regardless, today's readings are as follows:
High side: 265
Low side: 55
Ambient temp: 105 degrees (at 7 f'ing o'clock pm but only 32% hum)
Vent temp (with windows open, doors shut): 58.7
I can't upload my photo of the gauges from this iPad for some reason but that's what the readings were.
So if I read the FSM chart correctly on temp and pressure, I'm slightly high on my low side pressure, and within the range on the high side. And my vent temp is within range. So I guess I don't have a problem?? Heck I don't know. All I know is I want icicles hanging off the rear view mirror. Is that too much to expect from an 18 year old truck with 223K miles on it?
Regardless, today's readings are as follows:
High side: 265
Low side: 55
Ambient temp: 105 degrees (at 7 f'ing o'clock pm but only 32% hum)
Vent temp (with windows open, doors shut): 58.7
I can't upload my photo of the gauges from this iPad for some reason but that's what the readings were.
So if I read the FSM chart correctly on temp and pressure, I'm slightly high on my low side pressure, and within the range on the high side. And my vent temp is within range. So I guess I don't have a problem?? Heck I don't know. All I know is I want icicles hanging off the rear view mirror. Is that too much to expect from an 18 year old truck with 223K miles on it?
#7