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AC reading 65lbs low side port, engine off.

I was getting the flashing AC lights on the dash, so I put a gauge on the AC system low side port. With the engine off, I get a reading of 65lbs. Normal? With engine on and AC up full, I get a reading of 25lbs-45lbs between cycles, but the cycling is constant 5 sec on 5 sec off. Ambient temperature is 63F / 18C.
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David
1998 S70 T5SE // misc mods (mostly lighting) // red calipers
1992 940 GLE // Hella Micro DE foglights and 170K miles








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    AC reading 65lbs low side port, engine off.

    A couple of problems with that -- first, the outside temperature is in the low sixties F, which means that the system is barely working. That contributes to short cycle time. The pressures will look a lot different with the air temp at 90.

    Second, static pressure isn't a good gauge of charge. The only useful pressure is really the high side (with a low side reading also).

    Third, the low side-only reading, is not accurate in diagnosing the charge level, since the low side will respond directly to the cabin air temperature. Unless the system is almost empty and barely cycles on at all, the low side reading doesn't do a whole lot. Unfortunately Volvo and a lot of other automakers, stopped putting high side ports in their A/C systems. They've gone to charge-by-weight systems, which are fine unless they're the type that fizz refrigerant from evaporators. Or any other place.

    It COULD be low on charge, but there is not much way of telling until you can measure vent temp and see what the output is in higher ambient temperatures.
    --
    Chris Herbst, near Chicago.








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    AC reading 65lbs low side port, engine off.

    The cycling behavior is the classic symptom of low freon. It is not possible to say that the low pressure reading has a "standard" value, since it varies as a function of other system parameters (temperatures, etc.). It should only be used as a rough diagnostic. The only way to positively know if you have the right amount of freon is to evacuate and recharge with a measured *weight* of R-134a.

    I would suggest that you add a small amount of R-134a and see if the cycling stops. If so, you probably have an evaporator leak.

    Gerald C








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      AC reading 65lbs low side port, engine off.

      Thanks for the reply, Gerald. So I shouldn't be concerned about the 65lb reading with the engine off? I believe 25-45 is normal for cycling.... I'm monitoring the situation as I'm aware of the history of evaporator problems in this car, and I'm at 117K miles.
      --


      David
      1998 S70 T5SE // misc mods (mostly lighting) // red calipers
      1992 940 GLE // Hella Micro DE foglights and 170K miles








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        No specs for that

        That's not how an AC, freon related problem is diagnosed (pressure, engine OFF) and there are no specs for that anywhere. As mentioned above, you need to have the freon weighed and an AC machine does that when it recovers the freon.
        You can TRY adding some freon but if you're using a 1 lb tap-a-can (if sold in your state?), there's no really good way to know exactly how much freon you presently have or how much you're adding. If you add too much, the AC system will still not cool well and the system only holds 1.63 lbs so it's easy to overcharge that way.
        Most shops (dealers, etc) only charge 1 hour plus freon and dye (if not already installed) to re-charge an AC system. AC dye won't be visable until the freon level becomes low again and if it's a slow leak, could take a season or two. If your car already has dye (sticker under hood), one can physically inspect your evap to see if there's dye present.







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