a/c clutch slipping or systems needs more comp. oil?

86fazer · Post by **86fazer** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:53 pm

it must be my lucky summer with this 00 neon lol

anyone had their a/c act up as it will stop cooling at high speeds/rpms on the highway but works just fine cruising neighiborhood speeds 10-35 mph. The belt & tensioner is new only a few weeks old.

There isn't any weird noises either so assuming the clutch is slipping at high rpms and the compressor might need some more oil added even though it's ever had any work done to it. I've never seen as a/c clutch go bad in any vheicle i've onwed over the last 30 years so figured I might see what you guys had run into here.

RayWolf · Post by **RayWolf** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:01 am

i just had the same problem with my 00.
i put in a 1 pound can of r134a with oil and its seems to be working fine.

bstc00 · Post by **bstc00** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:38 am

mine will do the same thing. i just dont use it.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:58 am

The problem of adding refrigerant with oil, is the oil isn't what leaks out 99% of the time, just freon. So adding oil with each can, lowers the amount of freon the system will hold. Opt for the cans without oil first. If it is still spinning, chances are damn good there is adequate oil.
If possible, get some with stop leak, if you aren't going to have it checked/repaired professionally.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 2:02 pm

I'm not even sure if the AC is still working on mine.

Even here in Texas I don't bother using it anymore as I only drive 2 miles to work... it takes longer than that for the system to wind up and start cooling.

86fazer · Post by **86fazer** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:51 pm

mine is ice cold in less then 2 mins, even here in Texas but I have some 10% tint on as well

Strange how it cools great at low speeds but on the highway it seems to slip/not cool till the rpms come down, I've tried to watch it with the engine spoole up around 3500-4k but can't seem to tell if it slips at the clutch. I'll try an add some comp. oil and see what comes of it..

let ya all know tomorrow

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:01 pm

If it's turning, it likely isn't slipping. If it was seizing due to lack of oil, it would do it all the time, not only at high rpm. It would stall the engine at idle. Like I said, just get one of those self contained charge cans, without oil, and charge it.

But a better solution would be to just put the gauge on it, and check for sure it even needs a charge. If it is overcharged, it will not cool either, and my cause the compressor to turn harder. It must be running, on the low side to check the pressure. The cheap gauge that comes with those service kits will have a range it should be in. If it is within that window, then the charge is good. Not 100% as good as a professional set, but will give you a good idea of where it stands.

86fazer · Post by **86fazer** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:11 pm

yeah thats the gig for this weekend now that the ignition lock bs is done with lol

and ofcourse summer is gone whoneeds a/c now lol

but I wonder whats next on the fail list

staying positive, though there's no more dry-county ( alcohol sales ) in my area woo hoo!

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Tue Oct 05, 2010 5:46 pm

My 00 Es did this last summer. All I did was add a can of r134a and no problem since.

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:10 am

just make sure you don't overcharge it...
If you use one of those aftemarket dual gauge setups:
1 - vehicle off low side/high side should be equal
2 - vehicle running low side should be a little less than half the high side