Amount of a/c refrigerant for a '95 conti?

[hopsis]

Hi everybody. My first post here. I got this 1995 Continental with a busted a/c compressor. Took it to a shop where they changed a new comp and an accumulator. The problem is that the sticker under the hood, where the a/c fluid amount is supposed to read, is worn off.

So anybody, how much is the correct amount for a '95 Conti? They put in 750g or 1.65lb which ever way you want to look at it. Vacuum test are all ok with no leaks and the pressure switch works but still no cold air...

 

[MichiganTeddyBear]

while not an AC expert by any means, here are a few things to look at..

does the compressor cycle??? (it should, or it should be on all time ac is called fore)
is the condensor clean/bug free (common problem)
do the fans both turn on, in high speed mode when AC is called for??
did they change the orifice tube with the accumulator?? (not sure if its internal to it or not).. but it should be changed with a compressor failure.

also, there is possiblility of a EATC unit failure, or failure in the rest of the ac clutch circuits.

I dont know how much (weight) of 134 it should take, but a good shop wont use that as the 'gospel' of how full to fill it.. they will use pressure gauges. if you can get the high and low side pressure's when the compressor is running that may help.

 

[hopsis]

does the compressor cycle??? (it should, or it should be on all time ac is called fore)

-- Yes, compressor cycles normally


is the condensor clean/bug free (common problem)

-- Pretty much, a/c worked just a few months ago until the magnetic clutch bearings blew


do the fans both turn on, in high speed mode when AC is called for??

-- Yes

did they change the orifice tube with the accumulator?? (not sure if its internal to it or not).. but it should be changed with a compressor failure.

--No idea, have to check that next week

also, there is possiblility of a EATC unit failure, or failure in the rest of the ac clutch circuits.

-- Nope, EATC works fine

I dont know how much (weight) of 134 it should take, but a good shop wont use that as the 'gospel' of how full to fill it.. they will use pressure gauges. if you can get the high and low side pressure's when the compressor is running that may help.

-- I watched the operation where they first sucked a vacuum for 10min to test the system after which the mech and I started looking for a sticker or something for the correct amount of R134a to fill in. Pressure alone doesn't tell the truth apparently.

What I'm thinking now is that if somebody with a Conti would be kind enough to check under their hood because mine has the sticker, it's just too worn out to read.

 

[hopsis]

Just in case they didn't change the orifice tube... Where is it located?

 

[MichiganTeddyBear]

I dont think holding the vacuum for 10 mins is long enough after the system has been opened.. I may be wrong tho.

the reason to hold the vacuum is to boil off the moisture thats inside the system.

unfortunatly I dont have a conti anymore, and the one I did have was an older model, and my service manual dont cover the later ones.

 

[hopsis]

The vacuum test works like this...

1. Suck vacuum for 10 minutes to the system (about 3-4 mbar pressure)

2. Release the vacuum and see if the system holds pressure for 4 min

I was there when they checked the system, there are no leaks, my guess is that it just needs more of the cooling stuff. We'll see tomorrow when I get the P.O.S back to the shop.

Starting to get pissed off here with this car, air suspension computer died this weekend...

 

[hopsis]

Found it. 0,964 kg is the correct weight of R134a. At least for a '95.

 

[purelux]

When you charge it the amount of pressure varies dependat on the ambient tempaure if using a gauge that is a good benchmark but pressure can vary up to 15 pounds up or down.

 

[hopsis]

Yep. Did the work indoors, ambient temp maybe just under 70 degrees fahrenheit. Still doesn't work though, we didn't change the orifice tube at the same time because it's a total PITA.

I didn't know that you have to change the liquid line if you want a new orifice tube... I'd be really grateful if someone with knowledge could post a correct part number (motorcraft, 4seasons etc...) for the replacement line.