So, this week's project is "get the AC working".

The issues I am seeing is ambient air temp coming out of center vent, and engine sometimes (but not always) dying at idle (i.e. sitting at stoplight after getting off freeway, pulling into a parking spot, etc.).

I put the gauges on the system:

Ambient temp: 92-95 deg F (32 - 35 deg C).

Engine at operating temp, AC controls set to "Manual", "Max Cool", fan speed at "High".

High side gauge: 100PSI
Low side gauge: 15 PSI.

At "normal" idle, high side is about 110-115 PSI, low side 22 PSI.

My original thought when I was at normal idle was OK but not great low side pressure, low high side pressure, so bad compressor.

After 1500RPM and seeing the drop on both gauges, now I'm thinking just low R134A, possibly a leak in the system.

I think I hear a "clicking" noise in the compressor area, not sure. That is to say, I do hear the clicking, I'm just not sure it's the compressor.

my "next step" was to add R134 with leak detector and hitting it with a black light. Perhaps I "wiggled" the dryer when I R&R'd the radiator?

Thoughts and comments?

 

Some comments:
High side is lower than should be. In regards to the "clicking" noise at the compressor: A fast on off click can usually point to a low charge. A bad compressor usually is either noisy or reveals a high low side reading and a low high side reading. It does not appear that that is your case. Does it start to cool off idle (i.e. under acceleration)? And, if so, what are your readings then?

Cheers

 

If you don't have much success with dye, then you can get an electronic sniffer (on Amazon for under 50 bucks if I remember) that was a lot more helpful in my case. The back of the compressor is a known leak spot (the backing plate bends when you crank down on it) and the expansion valve is another suspect area.

I've heard that if the leak is in the evaporator nestled in the dash, it's better to just commit suicide

 

if you have access to a vacuum pump hook it up pull out remaining air in to an approved environmental container we all have them right than close gauges if it will hold a vacuum than recharge system the clicking sound you hear is the ac clutch kicking on than off again due to low charge I find most ac I charge like 40 pounds on low side of corse there is a chart you can use that takes into account ambient air temp for a low side and high side charge easy to find online. The stalling could be due to are you trying to run ac at the same time when the pump is running the motor is suppose to pick up for added load on engine.

 

Thanks all. I put about 18 oz of R134a into the system. I don't see any leaks under UV, but we'll give it some time. I do see about a 20 degree F temp drop out of the central vent now, so this looks like a solution. The question will be "is it leaking?" We'll see.

 

Since you low side is 15 and the high is 100 some things is not exactly right. If your compressor and expansion valve working right I would expect to see a vacuum on the low side with the high side that low.

If I was in this situation I would change the expansion valve, remove and drain the compressor, remove and flush the lowest line, install a new accumulator, evac and refill with the right amount of oil and refrigerant.