|
|
Coolant Leaks Until Minimum and System Shuts Off. Leak Stops. Ideas!?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
pha3z
New User
Jul 15, 2011, 9:13 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1788 views)
|
|
Coolant Leaks Until Minimum and System Shuts Off. Leak Stops. Ideas!?
|
Sign In
|
|
I'm really confused.
I thought I had a bad a/c pump on my car, so I replaced it. I had a local shop with a nice a/c machine charge it to 1.14 lbs. Its a Toyota Corolla and the spec calls for 1.14 lbs max and 1.01 lbs min. I got back on the road and within 10 minutes, it lost charge and stopped working. I went back two days later and they told me there was 0.98 lbs in it. The new guy claimed that the old guy probably didn't charge it right. I was skeptical but I let him charge it up again to 1.14. I got on the road again and within 10 minutes it loses charge and stops again!! I go back again and they drain it and the machine says it reclaimed 0.98 lbs again!!!
So in a nutshell the behavior is this:
Charge the system to max.
Run the a/c for 10 minutes and it loses charge.
Check the coolant and find that its just barely below the minimum threshold for the pressure switch to come on.
So why would the coolant be leaking with the pump on but then stop leaking when the system kicks off?
Am I crazy or has anyone else seen this behavior?
(This post was edited by pha3z on Jul 15, 2011, 9:15 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 15, 2011, 10:23 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1778 views)
|
|
Re: Coolant Leaks Until Minimum and System Shuts Off. Leak Stops. Ideas!?
|
Sign In
|
|
Some leaks may occur at higher operating pressures than static pressures when the system isn't running. More than likely it could be a leak somewhere on the high side of the system. Did they dye the system? That might help you find out where the refrigerant is leaking from. It is also possible that some refrigerant may be trapped in the system after recovery. You may have to recover more than once to get every bit of the refrigerant out because some refrigerant gets trapped in the oil.
Even with .98 lbs in the system the compressor should kick on. What year is your Toyota? Why did they replace the compressor?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 15, 2011, 10:32 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2011, 3:06 AM
Post #3 of 4
(1766 views)
|
|
Re: Coolant Leaks Until Minimum and System Shuts Off. Leak Stops. Ideas!?
|
Sign In
|
|
I wouldn't be so sure those numbers are even right. Nobodies equipment is that accurate. It can vary greatly with just the length of the hoses and whether the previous tech emptied the hoses when he was finished. I think you are going to find other issues there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2011, 5:44 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1762 views)
|
|
Re: Coolant Leaks Until Minimum and System Shuts Off. Leak Stops. Ideas!?
|
Sign In
|
|
Quote from top ">>Run the a/c for 10 minutes and it loses charge.
Check the coolant and find that its just barely below the minimum threshold for the pressure switch to come on.<<"
Let's start calling it refrigerant please. Coolant is an antifreeze mix for the engine.
Just skimmed a whole book of capacities which quits at about 2005 and the least listed for Corolla was 18oz. None broke it down more than a half oz and as Hammer said the equipment doesn't measure to the second decimal point. Real dang close is great but half an oz is enough IMO and the lower capacity systems are just that more dependant on being right on the target.
If leaking dye is great but not the only way. Where's the electronic sniffer if this place has fancy equipment that would be primal.
If really leaking such that cooling is affected within 10 minutes or miles from the top that should be an easy leak to find. If true that it will only leak when operated as "D" said the pressures are up and may not leak just sitting there. If it can hold vacuum and hold static pressures but not when using it it's pressure related leaking new or not a shaft seal of compressor (pump if you want) is dymamcially holding in pressure while operating/spinning. Nothing else does in system but subject to the vibrations of driving.
Find the leak! If it can work properly right away then quit because of low charge which is the #1 reason (tons more reasons possible) for poor or no cooling then find it. If this place can't then find another that can,
T
PS: System capacity should be on a sticker underhood..........
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
mdma pills for sale : WhatsApp +33758633852
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
