Too Much Refrigerant - Honda Pilot

fritz · 08-08-2011, 11:31 AM

OK, I admit being both stupid and dumb. I filled too much refrigerant in my AC. How do I know? The compressor cycles on/off repeatedly. This was also done by a local mechanic and I had to take it back to the dealer who diagnosed it immediately. So my question is how do I "release" the overfill? Do I carefully release it from the high pressure valve? HELP!

94eg! · 08-08-2011, 01:29 PM

Definitely don't release from the high pressure side. You can press the valve on the low-side to get some out. Just keep in mind this is not really legal to vent to the atmosphere. Of course you won't get in trouble unless the EPA is watching you.

How did you fill your AC? Did you use a gauge to watch the psi as you filled?

onu2002 · 08-08-2011, 01:46 PM

The local mechanic overfilled it? If so, make them fix it.

fritz · 08-08-2011, 01:47 PM

I unfortunately didn't have a gauge to monitor the fill. Perhaps I should have stopped the recharge at one can

fritz · 08-08-2011, 01:48 PM

This was done several years ago and the mechanic is no longer in business.

94eg! · 08-08-2011, 01:56 PM

Never charge without a gauge. Autozone sells a all-brass r134a gauge with built-in can tap for $20. This is good enough to top off a low system. There is even an extra bezel on top you set to the current outside temp to give you a smaller window of ideal low-side psi.

Even with a gauge it's hard to tell if you have the right amount because your supposed to charge by weight. That means a vacuum must pull all old refrigerant out, and then you add the proper amount to the empty system. Even still, this gauge-filler will get your AC going again.

Quest/R134a recharge hose with metal gauge handle (401GMCS) | A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components | AutoZone.com

fritz · 08-08-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94eg!

Definitely don't release from the high pressure side. You can press the valve on the low-side to get some out. Just keep in mind this is not really legal to vent to the atmosphere. Of course you won't get in trouble unless the EPA is watching you.

How did you fill your AC? Did you use a gauge to watch the psi as you filled?

Isn't the low side the intake side and the high pressure side the out pressure? Sorry for the ignorance but I'm not familiar with an AC system. Thanks so much

94eg! · 08-08-2011, 11:37 PM

Your right, but you don't want to be pressing the valve on the high side cause of the higher psi is more dangerous.

The low-side is actually lower psi when the AC is running. When it's off it generally equalizes between the two sides. I still don't mess with the high-side just because...

hkellogg · 08-09-2011, 09:35 PM

cycling on and off is usually a sign of not enough refigerant

fritz · 08-15-2011, 12:52 PM

AC is back up and running. I will use a guage in the future

08-08-2011, 11:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
fritz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Too Much Refrigerant OK, I admit being both stupid and dumb. I filled too much refrigerant in my AC. How do I know? The compressor cycles on/off repeatedly. This was also done by a local mechanic and I had to take it back to the dealer who diagnosed it immediately. So my question is how do I "release" the overfill? Do I carefully release it from the high pressure valve? HELP!

08-08-2011, 01:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
onu2002 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 498 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The local mechanic overfilled it? If so, make them fix it. __________________ Tom 2003 Honda Pilot EX 2004 Honda S2000 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

08-08-2011, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
94eg! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 647 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Definitely don't release from the high pressure side. You can press the valve on the low-side to get some out. Just keep in mind this is not really legal to vent to the atmosphere. Of course you won't get in trouble unless the EPA is watching you. How did you fill your AC? Did you use a gauge to watch the psi as you filled?

08-08-2011, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
fritz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I unfortunately didn't have a gauge to monitor the fill. Perhaps I should have stopped the recharge at one can

08-08-2011, 01:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
fritz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This was done several years ago and the mechanic is no longer in business.

08-08-2011, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
94eg! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 647 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Never charge without a gauge. Autozone sells a all-brass r134a gauge with built-in can tap for $20. This is good enough to top off a low system. There is even an extra bezel on top you set to the current outside temp to give you a smaller window of ideal low-side psi. Even with a gauge it's hard to tell if you have the right amount because your supposed to charge by weight. That means a vacuum must pull all old refrigerant out, and then you add the proper amount to the empty system. Even still, this gauge-filler will get your AC going again. Quest/R134a recharge hose with metal gauge handle (401GMCS) \| A/C Manifold Gauge Set and Components \| AutoZone.com

08-08-2011, 11:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
94eg! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 647 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Your right, but you don't want to be pressing the valve on the high side cause of the higher psi is more dangerous. The low-side is actually lower psi when the AC is running. When it's off it generally equalizes between the two sides. I still don't mess with the high-side just because...

08-09-2011, 09:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
hkellogg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 183 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	cycling on and off is usually a sign of not enough refigerant

08-15-2011, 12:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
fritz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	AC is back up and running. I will use a guage in the future

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Piloteers.org Advertisement