Evening all. I own a '06 3G TL that has had pretty weak A/C since I purchased the vehicle two or three years ago. I recharged the system, which helped a bit, but by the following summer the A/C struggled to keep up with the heat. A few months ago I discovered a leak in the low pressure schrader valve, and had an indy shop replace both the high and low pressure valves. It was my understanding they evacuated the system to replace the valves, then refilled it.

As you might image, its been pretty hot this summer and the A/C isn't keeping up at all. I hooked up the diagnostic gauges, ran a fan in front of the car, turned on the A/C, and put the temperature to LO. At operating temperature the thermometer registered 70 degrees, but eventually crept up to 72. At 104 degrees, the gauges read 60 on the low side and about 250 on the high side. Any thoughts on what may be the issue here? Your feedback is appreciated.

 

Does the compressor cycle in and out frequently?

 

The compressor was slow cycling.

 

What's the temperature of the air coming out of the vents? You may want to clean the condenser and change the cabin air filter.

 

 

Low side too high. High side normal @ 2x ambient temp +50-258 PSI

Suction Pressure Abnormally High:
1-Low pressure hose and check joint are cooler than the temp around evaporator-
Expansion valve opened too long

2-Suction pressure is lowered when condenser cooled by water-
Excessive refrigerant in system

3-High and low pressure are equalized as soon as the compressor is stopped, and both fluctuate while running-
Faulty gasket
Faulty high pressure valve
Foreign particle stuck in high pressure valve

 

 

From the Acura service manual, reasons listed, not in order of likelihood.