Proper refrigerant charge is key for cold, efficient A/C, making it important to periodically charge a vehicle’s A/C system. Overcharging from DIY top-offs can occur, reducing cooling and compressor life.
Read on to learn how to recognize the symptoms of AC overcharge, why it happens, and what you should do if it occurs (don’t ignore it!).
What Does an “Overcharged” A/C Mean?
Every A/C system ever assembled features a maximum charge rate, with those found in today’s vehicles being no different. This “maximum charge” details the full capacity of refrigerant that a particular system can accept.
Based on this knowledge, the idea of system overcharging is rather straightforward. An overcharged condition exists within an A/C system whenever an excessive amount of refrigerant has been introduced, generally equating to a total system charge exceeding that specified by the system’s manufacturer.
Whenever an A/C system is charged beyond its capacity, a number of troubling symptoms can arise, the bulk of which are detailed below. However, it suffices to say that an overcharged A/C system is largely incapable of operating at peak efficiency, much to the despair of any motorist reliant upon its functionality for comfort.
Jak se to stane?
A/C system overcharging commonly occurs whenever a vehicle’s owner attempts to charge the affected system themselves, using basic recharge kits that can be purchased from any auto parts store.
When using a kit of this nature, many find themselves limited in their ability to accurately gauge the amount of refrigerant that is being introduced. Furthermore, some kits come with little in the way of viable instructions.
Furthermore, most DIY A/C charging kits only come with a single pressure gauge, intended to display readings within a system’s low-pressure circuit. In this case, no high-pressure readings are obtained, thereby limiting one’s ability to fully observe a system’s response to charging their charging efforts.
More often than not, a motorist is unaware that they have overcharged their vehicle’s A/C system until undesirable cooling is noticed. Additionally, a number of additional symptoms can arise as well, leading one to further question whether or not they have overcharged the system as a whole.
Overcharged A/C Symptoms
Přítomnost příliš velkého množství freonu v klimatizačním systému vozidla je často doprovázena řadou sekundárních symptomů. Rozpoznání těchto příznaků může být cenné při pokusu o rychlou nápravu nastalé situace.
Následuje několik nejběžnějších příznaků spojených s přebíjením systému klimatizace.
#1 – Warm Discharge Air
An overcharged A/C system seldom cools as it should, often discharging lukewarm air from the system’s vents. If you have recently had your vehicle’s refrigerant topped off, yet are not getting any relief from the heat, refrigerant overcharging could be to blame.
#2 – Odd Noises
Pokud jste právě nechali opravit klimatizaci svého vozidla a nyní jste si všimli podivných zvuků vycházejících zpod kapoty vozidla, může být dobrý nápad nechat ještě jednou zkontrolovat náplň chladiva v systému.
Přebíjení systému může způsobit, že kompresor klimatizace bude mít potíže, což často způsobí slyšitelné bublání nebo kvílení.
#3 – Irregular Pressures
Overcharging of an A/C system often causes high-side system pressures to skyrocket. System overheating can also come as a result, adding further insult to injury and preventing any level of cooling from being achieved.
#4 – Freezing of Suction Line
Při mírném přebití může snadno dojít k zamrznutí sacího potrubí klimatizačních systémů. K tomu dochází především tehdy, když je tepelná zátěž do výparníku spíše minimální a jsou dosahovány teploty mrazu.
Co dělat,
In any event, the issue of overcharging within a vehicle’s A/C system must be promptly attended to. A lack of response by a vehicle’s owner can quickly lead to severe, and irreversible component damage. This, in turn, can necessitate additional expenditure on a motorist’s behalf, in order to reestablish full system functionality.
In short, one must bleed their vehicle’s A/C system, to achieve the desired charge rate. Unfortunately, this will almost certainly require a trip to the local service center, as most do not have a refrigerant recovery machine available at home.
Venting refrigerant into the atmosphere is highly-illegal, as freon is recognized by the EPA as an environmental pollutant.
If you are unsure as to whether or not your vehicle’s A/C system has been overcharged, a trip to your local automotive service center is highly advised. It is much better to address the issue at hand in a timely manner than to suffer system failure as the result of complacency.
Can Overcharging Damage the A/C Compressor?
Overcharging a vehicle’s A/C system can prove detrimental, if not catastrophic for the system’s compressor. This stems from the fact that a compressor is subject to substantially increased loading under such conditions, thereby causing severe fatigue.
Additionally, extreme overcharge can lead to sumping of the compressor, which describes a condition in which liquid refrigerant enters the inlet side of a compressor, often with devastating consequences.
Significant damage to a vehicle’s A/C compressor not only requires replacement but often full-system overhaul as well. This is due to the high probability of system contamination as debris from a failed compressor is forced downstream. In any event, damage of this type is quite costly to remedy.
Josh pracuje jako mechanik na plný úvazek více než 12 let a má za sebou 6 certifikací ASE (Automotive Service Excellence). Svou kariéru začal jako automobilový technik v místním dealerství Toyota a od té doby se specializoval na dieselová nákladní vozidla a zařízení.
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