2002 Explorer A/C issue

[yugo4life]

Hey all,

When I first bought this explorer last year, the a/c didn't work, but being the end of summer, I didn't worry too much about it. It is so hot now though, that I would really like to fix it. I bought the gauge and cans and started to recharge it. I turned the truck on, turned the a/c on the coldest setting with max a/c, and turned the fan on the highest setting. Before charging, I measured the pressure on the low side of the system (on top of the canister on the passenger side of the engine compartment) and it read 10psi. So I started charging the system with the everything still running. When the gauge read around 30psi the compressor turned on for a few seconds, then turned off. While the compressor was on the gauge would fall back to 10psi or so, but with it off would jump back up to 30psi. As I was charging, the compressor would kick on and off every couple of seconds and the gauge would drop about 20psi then instantly climb back to what the highest level of charge was. I did this until the max pressure was 55psi. The compressor would continue to cycle every few seconds while the gauge would cycle between 55 and 30ish psi. The air in the cabin would never get even cool. Is it kicking off because of a low or high pressure switch? Could a leak somewhere be causing this?

Any help would be appreciated, the wife wants to ride in a cool truck!

 

[yugo4life]

Well, I got it charged and the compressor is continuously running instead of cycling every 2 seconds. I believe there may be a leak as I hear what sounds like air escaping for a few seconds after I turn off the truck. I never noticed it before starting this adventure, but I never really paid attention either. It sounds like it is coming from the passenger firewall area. I kept the gauges on the truck while it was running and the low side went from 52ish at the beginning to 45is currently. It seemed to hold there, but I didn't get a chance to run it for very long. The air out of the vents is nice and cold, but I don't want to have to recharge it in a few days. Any common places to look for leaks on these? I checked for leaks, but couldn't find anything.

 

[yugo4life]

There is definitely a leak. I check just a bit ago and the low side pressure is just over 30 while running. I know it won't last much longer as the compressor kicks off at like 25psi.

I searched high and low yesterday and today for a leak after charging it and adding the UV dye. My only thought is that it is leaking in the cabin and not in the engine bay. I say that because, while the ac is on, I swear I can smell "freon" inside. Maybe it is just a mental thing, but that is what it seems like to me. Has anyone else had any issues with this?

Thanks for the help!

 

[gm558]

There is definitely a leak. I check just a bit ago and the low side pressure is just over 30 while running. I know it won't last much longer as the compressor kicks off at like 25psi.

I searched high and low yesterday and today for a leak after charging it and adding the UV dye. My only thought is that it is leaking in the cabin and not in the engine bay. I say that because, while the ac is on, I swear I can smell "freon" inside. Maybe it is just a mental thing, but that is what it seems like to me. Has anyone else had any issues with this?

Thanks for the help!

You could have a leaking evap core if you "smell" freon. Make sure you have examined every inch of line and fittings with a UV light. Check the drain tube with the light. Dye in the tube usually means a new core.