A/C "Acting Up?"
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
A/C "Acting Up?"
My A/C would start 2-3 minutes after I would turn it on. I was told system was low on refrigerant R134. So, I was visiting a friend of mine like 50 miles away and he offered to add some R134.
Once he hooked up the pump with refrigerant, we started the A/C and he started to charge the system, he said car needed 3 more pounds of it. As he started to charge system, radiator fan started and ran for the 5 minutes the A/C was charging. He attributed the fan turning to extra load on the engine. Once we were done, I went on my way.
Today I was on freeway and temperature was like 104, so I had to use A/C. At one point, with A/C running, I could hear the radiator fan coming on, after which the cold air was gone, and this lasted for about 10 minutes, but it came back on by itself. Once I exited freeway, I stopped to check engine compartment. I saw radiator fan was on. On my dashboard, engine temp looked normal.
Now why did the cold air cut off for 10 minutes. Why is the radiator fan coming on now when I use the A/C? Before fan would not come on with A/C running.
Once he hooked up the pump with refrigerant, we started the A/C and he started to charge the system, he said car needed 3 more pounds of it. As he started to charge system, radiator fan started and ran for the 5 minutes the A/C was charging. He attributed the fan turning to extra load on the engine. Once we were done, I went on my way.
Today I was on freeway and temperature was like 104, so I had to use A/C. At one point, with A/C running, I could hear the radiator fan coming on, after which the cold air was gone, and this lasted for about 10 minutes, but it came back on by itself. Once I exited freeway, I stopped to check engine compartment. I saw radiator fan was on. On my dashboard, engine temp looked normal.
Now why did the cold air cut off for 10 minutes. Why is the radiator fan coming on now when I use the A/C? Before fan would not come on with A/C running.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
2012 C250
Three *more* pounds? Iirc the system takes 2.2 lbs total refrigerant. You likely overfilled the system and may have already damaged your compressor. I don't say this often, but get thee to a qualified mechanic asap, and don't run the AC at all until then.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Does the system have a way of discharging extra refrigerant? I recall looking at the charging unit which showed 27 before charging, and after we were done it had gone up to 30. I'm assuming these are not lbs. numbers, that is if the system only takes 2.2 lbs.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Yes, however, it's kinda like a manual idiot switch---the procedure is very simple, well for most, first find the H or L shrader valve, second remove the cap, three look at the valve and wada you see--kinda like a tire valve--now the next step takes a little thought---do you remember how to let air out of a tire--if you do follow the same procedure---However I must warn you that it is illegal to vent AC systems into the air, therefore do it at night!!
