alpina1600-2

I just went to have my A/C recharged at an independent. He evacuated the system, it seemed to hold a vacuum fine, and then he started to add refrigerant. This was all done through the high side port in front. Fine so far. As he was putting the correct refrigerant in it stopped at 47 and it would not take any more. He said it was supposed to take 75. I don't know what the units are - grams, maybe? He evacuated again and tried to refill and it stopped about the same place. He filled while I had the A/C set at the lowest setting but I tried other settings. I came home and tried to use my Bentley to look at the procedure and I got the infamous "your copy is not activated." Boy, do I hate the way Bently operates. Of course, they are gone for the day and don't open until 9 AM EST time. I have to leave in the morning on a business trip. Now I have to listen to the wife complain about the A/C until next week.
Does anyone know the procedure? Is there another setting that I have to put the controls on while it is charging?

Thanks in advance,

Wayne

PaulW

The guy needs to have the bottle on a scale and measure the change in weight after it is completely evacuated. That will tell you how much it had in it (mine had 150 or so grams last summer before a recharge).

Then recharge it until the scale changes 750 or 800 grams. I do not believe that the engine should be running.

There is a sticker inside the hood, and for some 97's it is 750 grams and for later cars it is 800 grams.

Let's see, there is something like 26 grams to an ounce, which is about 30.7 oz.

It appears the guy was either using pressure or something.....but there is a 75 in your post, but it should be 750 grams.

Unit of measure = grams/oz/mass

alpina1600-2

Thanks Paul, I heard him say "its only taking 47 and its supposed to take 75". Maybe he can't read the scale and it was 450. It was blowing cooler air but not cold. Before it was just blowing hot. I am going to try and go there early tomorrow before I have to leave on my business trip.

Wayne

JimR

You typically charge vapor-compression A/C systems with the compressor running.

tozoM8

28.4 grams= 1 ounce

JimR

If he was, the system is way overcharged.

alpina1600-2

I don't think so. The system was just starting to show signs of cooling but barely, like it was still undercharged.

Wayne

PaulW

I claim ignorance on that one, but will look it up!

alpina1600-2

Car is all set. The .75 was kilograms which translates to 750 grams. We set it up again on the machine and evacuated the system and then started to charge. It hesitated several time at different levels but I turned the A/C on/off and low to high to low several times and it then went right up to the 750 setting. It now works super and I can leave in peace. Thanks for the help.

Wayne