Alright. Quick draw trigger pull to disperse air bubble from AC recharge kit. Attached to Low Pressure on top dryer and moved needle 1/16 above if that. Truck was running at temperature and began to add 134a. After maybe 5min AC pumping very cold air and clutch was engaging how I remember. Ran for another 5min or so and saw the pictures below. Thanks for your advice and time. I feel like I know what the result and/or you reply may be. However I'm ready to handle this myself if you feel it can be done.





I tried to track condensation above front passenger wheel but didn't see anything as a source. I will be looking again tomorrow.

 

Looks great, glad to hear it seems to be working out for you. My truck is miserable without air conditioning (and windshield wipers (next))

Take that UV light and inspect each joint with a critical eye at night or in a darkened space.
Oh, I don't see yellow plastic safety glasses in your truck bed. Not only will the protect you BUT you can see the dye fluoresce about four 4x better than without. Amazon or hopefully autoparts store that sells light.

Don't add any dye or oil. perhaps if you change a big part, but more than likely you may already have a few shots of dye in the system. Dye and oil take up space in the system that would be better to be active refrigerant. An AC shop always wants to add a shot of dye and it is in an oil. Just don't. If you first look into the service valve where you add refrigerant, it is normal to see a little dye in there. If you don't, maybe your system is still a virgin, then you may add some.

It is the combined miniscule leaks that determine how tight a sealed system is. Remember, everything in life leaks...

** while you have your yellow safety glasses on, look inside the truck and into the air vents heater vents and defrost... are they glowing?

 

** also hit that condensate water on the ground with the UV light. does it glow?
All of the inside vent, defroster, heater, and condensate drain glow indicates a leaking evaporator core.
Also, if you smell a distink- smell, usually first thing in the morning after the car has been sealed up for a few hours, or after your shift at work.

 

I already have yellow safety glasses. Haven't added any dye yet but I'll look for some from previous service from a while back before if I have to.

 

Those last two pictures are the condensate drain, I suppose you know that but just wanted to make sure...

My air seems to be going now, I adjusted the charge and now it is great, but for how long?

 

Something I found after I free handed (overcharged) my system recently: Thought you might be interested

 

Sorry, don't watch that AI crap.... it is like trying to work out a credit card statement error with an online chat bot

I realized while I was cooling the cab, that it was not as efficient as I had hoped. I went to my friends shop and evacuated the charge with an automotive recovery machine. It measured what it got back out and it was not 1 lb 10 oz (per the sticker on the radiator frame) but closer to 2 pounds! Not only a waste, but also runs the risk of damage to my compressor (trying to squeeze excess liquid refrigerant) and the cooling capacity actually diminished.

 

Good to know about the over charge. So far so good however I'm still monitoring the, what looks like, excessive condensation. Still haven had time to put uv dye in. Had to make my own UV filter for LED light because the one I purchased didn't work. I didn't see any dye however it may not be visible after some length of time.

 

Use the light and look at (into) the service port valve connections that you used t connect your can of refrigerant. If there is dye in the system, you should see something in there.

 

I haven't seen any dye, I used only refrigerant. My concern again is the condensation. I do however have a slight sweet smell when I turn on truck with AC on. It dissapates quickly after its running though. OBD2 throws no codes either.