should it cycle if full or overfilled?
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
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From: Smyrna TN
should it cycle if full or overfilled?
Have and 03 expedition (wife's ride) with front and rear air. On a long trip the ac was cold, air volume reduced and when we stopped a ton of water ran out as though it was freezing up. I posted that issue here and it was suggested the system was low on coolant.
So I got a can of coolant with the novice built in gauge and added the can. the Gauge shows right at the top end of the green zone connected to the low-suction side. This is with both front and rear on max and it's 85-90 degress outside. I noticed today the ac clutch cuts in and out. Air is ice cold and blows hard, no freezing up like before. Could I have a little too much coolant in it or is it suppose to cycle on a off? What I mean by cycling is the cluth engages and disengages, no real pattern, it's random on timing and RPM.
Also, after the SUV sits over night and I start it in the morning, the ac engages and makes a terrible CLUNK, SQUEEN, GRIND noise... as it engages.
Is this a sing of sumthin bad coming???
Thanks guys, really appreciate it.
So I got a can of coolant with the novice built in gauge and added the can. the Gauge shows right at the top end of the green zone connected to the low-suction side. This is with both front and rear on max and it's 85-90 degress outside. I noticed today the ac clutch cuts in and out. Air is ice cold and blows hard, no freezing up like before. Could I have a little too much coolant in it or is it suppose to cycle on a off? What I mean by cycling is the cluth engages and disengages, no real pattern, it's random on timing and RPM.
Also, after the SUV sits over night and I start it in the morning, the ac engages and makes a terrible CLUNK, SQUEEN, GRIND noise... as it engages.
Is this a sing of sumthin bad coming???
Thanks guys, really appreciate it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 2
From: Lebanon,TN
Hey neighbor, I think your system is ok on its performance for now. You have a leak so even if you did put a little extra in it will bleed out, the question is how fast. Just pay attention to the compressor but I bet it has been making some noise before and you didn't notice until this came up.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,295
Likes: 125
From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
It is normal for there to be compressor cycling in a correctly operating system. There are variables that go into the equation that control the cycle rate, primarily the ambient temperature and the amount of heat being transferred through the system.
Cycle time can range from once every 30-60 seconds under very mild conditions to a continuously-on compressor in very hot conditions with a heavy cooling load.
Sounds like the serpentine belt/tensioner, compressor clutch, or the compressor itself is preparing to take a dive on you. FWIW, an overcharged system will place an extra drag on the system and exacerbate the symptoms caused by a marginal system component. You'd really need to see the actual low AND high side pressure readings to see what's going on and to determine if you're overcharged.
Steve
Cycle time can range from once every 30-60 seconds under very mild conditions to a continuously-on compressor in very hot conditions with a heavy cooling load.
Sounds like the serpentine belt/tensioner, compressor clutch, or the compressor itself is preparing to take a dive on you. FWIW, an overcharged system will place an extra drag on the system and exacerbate the symptoms caused by a marginal system component. You'd really need to see the actual low AND high side pressure readings to see what's going on and to determine if you're overcharged.
Steve