95 cutlass A/C problem

[trappie]

Got a friend who having A/C problems. Last year in the spring his compressor wouldn't kick in due to low refrigerant, he put in 2 1/2 cans (first time refrig ever added) and this year he had to recharge with another 2 1/2 cans. Now to the problem he tells me last year that he charged with liquid (can turned upside down) due to not knowing any better and also because of the short hose he was using. This year prior to the recharge he was told that the cans needed to remain upright so that is what he did.

Once his charge was complete (think he said it took and hour or so) it was cooling fine blowing really cold air but now 3 weeks later he is having problems. The compressor is still coming on but the air is not very cold. The odd thing is that the air coming from the driver's side vents(middle vent on driver's side and vent near driver's window) is noticibly colder (but not as cold as it should be) than from the passenger side .

My questions:

1. Did charging with liquid versus gas harm the system (it did cool fine all last summer)? If so does he need to purge (how?) and recharge?

2. Could the actual problem temp control and/or vent control related since the air temps from the different vents are different temps?

Thanks

[trappie]

Surely someone can give me a little.

Got a third question

3. Is the low pressure fitting the lower (and smaller) one pointing slightly toward the engine? That is the one he is using to service the A/C.

[caddyman379]

There are multiple cutlass's. Which model is yours? Ciera, Supreme? What engine?

Liquid? What liquid? It's only designed for 134-a, and it sounds like you have a leak somewhere.

Not positive on the low side service port, but if it didn't make the can explode then you probably have it. I _think_ the red capped one headed torwards the evaporator is the high side, and the one leading into the compressor is the low side. Don't take my word for that though, I could be wrong-and If i am I'd hate to see it blow up in your face. Literally

[trappie]

I was under the impression that like R-12 R-134a would dispense as liquid versus gas if the can was tuned upside down. Is this not the case with R-134a?

It is a 95 Cutlass Supreme and both lines are near driver's side fender one on top of the other, neither had red cap both caps are black. One line (top) the fitting is pointing straight up the other (lower line) is pointing slightly toward the engine. The top line fitting is larger than the lower one and that is actually where the leak is it is coming from the fitting. He has tighten the cap on this fitting and hopefully it will stop the leak or at least slow it down a bit.

[JohnDD]

The service valve includes an O-ring that might be leaking. I had to replace the O-ring on my 91 Olds Cutlass Ciera.

I installed the refrigerant with the can opening down (liquid) and it didn't take long for the liquid to be sucked in by the compressor (couple minutes).

My 95 Olds Cutlass Supreme seems to be holding out OK, after I replace the condenser unit.