runnin' the ac KILLS it...

[The Digital MagE]

normally - pretty steppy and peppy.

turn on the ac and it's a dog

????

does yours do that?

[CTB727]

I notice a SLIGHT power decrease with the AC on. Under normal driving conditions, it's fine.
The only time I really notice the power decrease is at WOT if I try to peel out or something. Tires will barely chirp with AC on and WOT.
AC off and it's much more responsive.

[09YotaLE]

shouldnt be running like a dog, but def does lose more HP seeing that more pully systems and etc is being used to keep u cool

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by The Digital Mag

normally - pretty steppy and peppy.

turn on the ac and it's a dog

????

does yours do that?

In really hot weather, mine just began to do what you describe - the A/C cycling at idle kills the engine. So, yesterday I topped off the R134a refrigerant and now it seems fine. Though not cooling quiet as well. Sheesh, I gotta make a note to myself that the A/C cools better when system not quite full!

[84Cressida]

Originally Posted by TMack409

In really hot weather, mine just began to do what you describe - the A/C cycling at idle kills the engine. So, yesterday I topped off the R134a refrigerant and now it seems fine. Though not cooling quiet as well. Sheesh, I gotta make a note to myself that the A/C cools better when system not quite full!

Sounds like you may have over filled it.

[The Digital MagE]

my avalon has an old-fashioned "sight glass" on top of the receiver/drier. it's easy to get optimal fill - just stop when the bubbles are no longer seen!

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by The Digital Mag

my avalon has an old-fashioned "sight glass" on top of the receiver/drier. it's easy to get optimal fill - just stop when the bubbles are no longer seen!

I still have bubbles and yes, my pressure is a wee bit higher than factory spec [which is 38PSI]. (I used the gauge on the bottle of 134a and it said @ 95F ambients, the low pressure s/b 45-50PSI).

Regardless, I still have bubbles...aye, prolly need to vacuum it all out and start over.

[Jigg007]

, I belive the avalon calls for 31oz of R134. If the system is purged you can fill it untill you reach that 31oz, 3x 12 oz cans, and you'll have a little left over. This is what I did on my 1996 and I wound up with 80PSI about.

I asked several local mechanics including my father, and all say that 90PSI on the low side is normal. In addition it is next to impossible to overfill an AC system with those compressed cans, but easily done with shop equipment.

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by Jigg007

, I believe the avalon calls for 31oz of R134. If the system is purged you can fill it untill you reach that 31oz, 3x 12 oz cans, and you'll have a little left over. This is what I did on my 1996 and I wound up with 80PSI about.

I asked several local mechanics including my father, and all say that 90PSI on the low side is normal. In addition it is next to impossible to overfill an AC system with those compressed cans, but easily done with shop equipment.

The toyota manual is very specific about RPMS being @ 1500 for testing. Set on recirculate, Max Fan, Max Cool setting. All windows rolled down. And it wouldn't hurt to have a window fan blowing full tilt on the condenser.
Range of pressure is 21.7 - 36.26 PSI and temp range is 86F to 95F for testing. I am pretty sure there is a correllation....'tween temps and PSI.

The charge is spec'd at:
(29.98 ±1.76 oz)

I do agree that installing exactly the amount of R134a is the only way to go, [after a complete vacuum], regardless of what the gauges say and regardless if there's still a few bubbles in the sight glass.

My car has 220k miles and never had any A/C work done. The compressor is noisy now. but it cools like it's spitting ice cubes... I think I'll put up with it but know it's not going to last forever.

[Jigg007]

Originally Posted by TMack409

The toyota manual is very specific about RPMS being @ 1500 for testing.

Testing as in checking the system pressure, or for adding refrigerant?

My car has 240K on it, and the compressor is quite noticeable. As far as A/C work, only additional refrigerant has been added. Hooray for annual leakage.

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by Jigg007

Testing as in checking the system pressure, or for adding refrigerant?

My car has 240K on it, and the compressor is quite noticeable.

The manual isn't definitively specific about what's going on at 1500 RPMs. However, it's very specific about 21-37 PSI on the low side..
So I assume 1500rpms is for adding Freon but most likely for measuring as well. FWIW my low side pressures seem generally higher [than 21-37] at idle.

Also, FWIW, My clue as to when my compressor got overfilled - it started brief cycling, yet the gauge showed it to be in the recommended range listed on the side of the can of 134a - which I no longer trust.