Still AC problems... Next step?

So a quick history. Some years ago, I had the lovely foam-out-the-vent experience. A/C became weak and then, some time after, gave up completely. Diagnosis was that the compressor had given up. I ordered up a new compressor and evaporator(?), replaced, vacced and refilled. AC was weak so I went to a professional shop to get a drain and refill. Well, that was some good money just to be told I was bang on already. That was when I found out about the blend door foam issue. Well, time got away from me and now, maybe 4 years on, maybe 5, I got around to addressing it.

So with my blend doors all metal-taped up, I hit the AC and... it's still mediocre. I drove around the block (approx 2 miles) and the temperature never really gets down beyond kinda-cool. I got the manifold out and I'm seeing 260ish high side and 50ish low-side so the compressor is working (and 110ish off). I figured maybe in the 4-5 years, I'd lost some R34A so I tried adding a little more. It seemed to get a bit cooler but hard to tell (I should get the thermometer out). After 15 minutes, there was still some in the can.

My big radiator fan is out but I wouldn't have thought that would have affected things that drastically, especially when the engine was cold after sitting all night. I'm wondering if there's a possibility the AC guys left me over-full but hopefully they know what they're doing. Any ideas?

You need that big fan replaced/operational before you can make any calls as to what's wrong. Compressor head pressure is strongly affected by the condenser temperature.

Richy_T said:

My big radiator fan is out but I wouldn't have thought that would have affected things that drastically, especially when the engine was cold after sitting all night. I'm wondering if there's a possibility the AC guys left me over-full but hopefully they know what they're doing. Any ideas?

Click to expand...

Not only will that screw up your A/C performance it will kill your compressor if you don't fix it reasonably quickly due to overheating the compressor (at which point the oil cokes and then you're done.)

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Thanks guys, that was the way I was beginning to lean too. I fixed the fan before by taking it apart. Not sure if I'll try that again or replace it. The clutch is definitely engaging so at least there's a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have to troubleshoot.