A/C no longer cooling?

2005 JEEP LIBERTY
137,000 MILES • 2.8L • 4 CYL • TURBO • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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LIBCRD
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Attempted last year to fix A/C after taking car back from mechanic shop - due to low estimate that continued to climb.
I rebuilt the upper engine (rockers, water pump, belts, etc., after a rocker broke). Unfortunately for my son they disconnected the AC system to do their work. Sadly, most sites indicate that it is not necessary (but it does make it easier for them and cost more at the final bill).
Issue - blows mostly hot air.
Gauges installed - you can hear the compressor kit in repeatedly as the pressures change.
Low side pressures go from 30-70 as high goes from 125 -150.
Do I have a leak in the system or is it an A/C switch or expansion valve stuck open?
Last year I replaced the drier but not the expansion valve in the pipe running to the drier. I evacuated the system and recharged it with 2 cans of R134 (using a scale).
Jul 11, 2024 at 10:55 AM
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LIBCRD
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LIBCRD - additional info; Investigation of 2005 Jeep Liberty A/C on wed confirms I do not have an expansion valve, but I do have an orifice in the liquid line. Also noted that during test with gauges that as soon as I turned off the vehicle the pressures equalized very quickly possibly indicating a bad orifice (hole?).
Jul 11, 2024 at 5:50 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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Hi,

Once the system is turned off, it will equalize somewhat quickly. I'm not sure what the ambient temperatures were when the system was checked, but when the low side is going up to 70 PSI and the high side only reaches 150 psi, which is usually a good indication that the compressor itself is failing.

Even if the ambient temperature was over 100 degrees F, the low pressure really shouldn't go over 55 PSI. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Take care,

Joe
Jul 11, 2024 at 9:07 PM
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