PLEASE Help. Condenser freeze up

[okfoz]

If you have too little freon it will ice up your evaporator, usually too much freon will not cool well.

The correct amount of Freon cools to a particular temp, around 35°F-40°F or so
(keep in mind that the pressure gages that are used to check pressures actually has a temperature gage.

In my experience
Just a little Too little freon causes the system to work too well and it causes icing as the freon evaporates in the evaporator making it too cold.
Way too little freon causes the system to not cool at all as there is not ample amount of freon to run the system, usually the low pressure switch would not allow it to turn on.
Too Much Freon does not allow enough evaporation in the canister and it does not cool correctly.

My initial guess is you are too low on Freon...

John

 

[04chevyhoe]

If you have too little freon it will ice up your evaporator, usually too much freon will not cool well.

The correct amount of Freon cools to a particular temp, around 35°F-40°F or so
(keep in mind that the pressure gages that are used to check pressures actually has a temperature gage.

In my experience
Just a little Too little freon causes the system to work too well and it causes icing as the freon evaporates in the evaporator making it too cold.
Way too little freon causes the system to not cool at all as there is not ample amount of freon to run the system, usually the low pressure switch would not allow it to turn on.
Too Much Freon does not allow enough evaporation in the canister and it does not cool correctly.

My initial guess is you are too low on Freon...

John

Thank you for your input. I will take into the shop and have them check the freon level.

 

[okfoz]

Thank you for your input. I will take into the shop and have them check the freon level.

If they do not do it automatically I would also suggest having them looking for the leak. It will only be a matter of time before it will happen again.

Of course you can buy the Freon and charge it yourself, have not done it in a long time. The old old cars used R12, about 15-20 years ago they changed to 134A, apparently they are using something else in the new cars... I would check to see if there are any labels under your hood telling you what it is.

Good luck...

John

 

[04chevyhoe]

Checked freon, Low side is around 45-50 with AC maxed out at 83 degrees ambient temp.

Tonight I Replaced the cycling switch that is located on the silver canister on the firewall. Will have to test drive it to see if that was the fix.

 

[04chevyhoe]

Replaced cycling switch which is located on the silver canister, and it is still freezing up.

Any other ideas?

 

[04chevyhoe]

Ok, when it freezes up I put a gauge on the low side and it read 10 psi, I hooked up a can and put some freon in and it right of way unfroze.

When it wasn't froze it read 45-50 psi. After it unfroze after adding freon it reads 45-50 psi at 80 degrees ambient temp.


Any help or ideas?

 

[04chevyhoe]

UPDATE the fix was having the freon replaced at the dealer. They said the freon can get moisture in it and freeze up.