Hagen Brothers farms,Goodrich ND | almarti1 , What I mean by checking pressure only when the compressor is running, is that the compressor pulley/ magnetic clutch turns any time the engine is running, but the pulley / magnetic clutch sometimes free wheels without turning the compressor when thermostats or pressure switches tell the clutch to release. The compressor was doing this on /off cycling when you saw pressure go from 40 to 0 (compressor running) and back to 40 (compressor off).
Usually you can see the clutch pressure plate on the front of the compressor pulley. Pressure plate not turning means the compressor is not running. Pressure plate turning, the compressor is running, which is the only time you want to read high /low pressures.
as long as you are an un licensed mechanic working on your own equipment, you do not need an expensive refrigerant re claimer.
Do you have a large air compressor in your shop ? If so you can do just fine with a Harbour Freight $15 venturi type AC vacuum pump. A perfectly acceptable gauge /hose set will cost $50 or less from the same store.
A $5 vent thermometer, a $5 can tapper and a $ 20 "how to fix your AC" book, and a $1 squirt bottle full of soap water to find leaks, will get you repairing your own AC units for about $ 100 worth of tools.
A case of refrigerant from Sam's club for under $3 per can will get you going.
Read / follow the safety precautions in the book , and let it lead you through basic refrigeration trouble shooting and repair. It's not that hard once you learn the basics.
Edited by Jon Hagen 6/7/2008 22:50
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Freightliner A/C diagnosis
