1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

AC diagnosing looking for ideas

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Murphinator, Jul 14, 2019.

  1. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:37 PM
    #21
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    @sc224 Yes, the taco is supposed to hold between 20 and 22 ounces, so 2 cans should do. I guess I am going to try and recharge her up this weekend and see what comes of it.
     
  2. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:38 PM
    #22
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    No worries, when I figure this out it will be glorious. If it just simply needs a recharge I think I'll be more upset that toyota couldn't get it right a year ago.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:40 PM
    #23
    CurtB

    CurtB Old Timer knowitall

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Member:
    #145266
    Messages:
    7,203
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Curt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma SR5
    Wait, the low side does not go near the condenser, it goes from firewall to compressor.
     
  4. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:44 PM
    #24
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    I’ll go take a picture, where I felt it. Also I will start the truck and let it idle with the ac on for a few, then touch the larger line coming out of the firewall, correct?


    Also if anyone is curious, here is my receipt for the last time Toyota recharged it.
    D010C3D6-21C2-4B62-8BC6-4FC60C6E0E83.jpg
    So 1.34 lbs recovered, they added 1.39 lbs. So in terms of ounces 21.44 out, 22.24 in.
     
  5. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:46 PM
    #25
    CurtB

    CurtB Old Timer knowitall

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Member:
    #145266
    Messages:
    7,203
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Curt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma SR5
    :thumbsup:
     
  6. Jul 15, 2019 at 6:56 PM
    #26
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    DF151A81-DD83-45D2-B434-3CF93D848F82.jpg
    This is what I touched earlier, which I can confirm is the cold line. After running a few minutes at idle it is ice cold for sure. When I came home from work it was extremely hot, not freezing cold like it is now. But it was hotter outside, and I am starting to wonder if some heat soaking is occurring from how hot my engine bay is.
     
  7. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:22 PM
    #27
    CurtB

    CurtB Old Timer knowitall

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Member:
    #145266
    Messages:
    7,203
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Curt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma SR5
    That line should still be at least cool, hot engine bay or not. That is if the compressor is running. If the AC is over charged, or there is air in the system, the comp may be shutting off from the high pressure switch. That is only a guess.
     
    spitdog likes this.
  8. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #28
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    I will check again tomorrow after I drive home from work. I’ll make sure to feel it when the compressor is on. I think I agree with where this is going, possible over charge or air in the lines since the high side was definitely high when tested. And according to toyota’s FSM, my low and high are extremely high compared to what they should be. I don’t know if I should follow the FSM or the r134 graphs you see online and on the gauge boxes.
     
  9. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:51 PM
    #29
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2008
    Member:
    #12073
    Messages:
    1,877
    Gender:
    Male
    When I read this and the radical differences between cold-hot you note I have visions of dreaded evaporator freeze up and inconsistent metering. Not sure though as its tough doing this kind of eval. without hands-on.

    At this point if this were mine I think I would replace the TXV valve with a good quality one and
    head in a direction of having a complete system evacuation (I know, I know) and recharge. Focus on obtaining what is known as a deep vacuum in order to remove any moisture in the system and then recharge using the exact weight of refrigerant.

    As far as the oil this is a tough one because it would require removal and draining of the compressor to even begin an estimate. Obviously cheaper to do the first unless the compressor is making strange noises. If you decide to do the first check the filter that enters the TXV valve and if there are any metal pieces therein, a compressor and some other things are in your very near future.
     
  10. Jul 15, 2019 at 8:09 PM
    #30
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    Member:
    #73066
    Messages:
    16,780
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 dcsb trd offroad 4wd
    I’m about to DIY charge mine with two 12oz cans of r134a and the tool rentals from autozone. I have tried it twice and was successful once. The self sealing cans are a PITA
     
  11. Jul 15, 2019 at 8:14 PM
    #31
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2008
    Member:
    #12073
    Messages:
    1,877
    Gender:
    Male
    Follow the manual but also note that there are 8 special test conditions; I also add another and that being relative humidity. For inlet temp. I like to put an accurate thermometer about 12" in front of the condenser. I use this location because it is very close to where Toy mounts their temp sensor.

    If you have been frequently hooking up and disconnecting the gauges a significant amount of air can enter the system and some inclusion occurs too when disconnecting.
     
  12. Jul 15, 2019 at 8:39 PM
    #32
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    10-4. Just hooked the gauges up once to get a reading since I was complaining about my ac and he was like well I have gauges right here.

    So basically Toyota wants the engine warmed up, all doors opened, ac on, 1500 RPM, recirculate on, MAX cold selected, blower on HIGH speed, and the air inlet to be 86-95 F. With these parameters they are expecting to see 22-36 psi low side, 198-227 psi high side. My numbers I originally took were off because I thought the test was as 2000 RPMs, in which my results were 36 PSI low, 300 PSI high.
     
  13. Jul 15, 2019 at 8:41 PM
    #33
    sc224

    sc224 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2012
    Member:
    #83192
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    over thinking it.
    I done many trucks, trucks with sleepers, cars, hybrids, whatever buses...but i am not a professional technician.
    Have fun though if you decide to change the expansion valve... I wont.
     
    Murphinator[OP] likes this.
  14. Jul 16, 2019 at 11:30 AM
    #34
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    So I am going to play a little game called third time is a charm, and taking my truck back to Toyota after a friend talked to someone who works there in service. Will post back my results and let you know if they do anything other than a recharge.
     
    TomTwo and CurtB like this.
  15. Jul 16, 2019 at 12:02 PM
    #35
    CurtB

    CurtB Old Timer knowitall

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Member:
    #145266
    Messages:
    7,203
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Curt
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma SR5
    Make sure they put in new freon. IF there is air in it, it is next to impossible to remove.
     
  16. Jul 16, 2019 at 12:39 PM
    #36
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    I’m gonna let them do their thing. But I am going to be firm I want them to diagnose the system before they just throw new r134 in and call it good. If this doesn’t get my vent temps below 60 F then I will take matters in my own hands, and probably cancel my extended warranty since it’s pretty obvious it is doing me no good.
     
    CurtB[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Jul 18, 2019 at 12:48 PM
    #37
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    So here is my update from Toyota this time:
    “we are going to replace the condenser compressor clutch assembly O-rings and expansion valve which comes with the receiver drier”

    I sure hope my “platinum” warranty covers all this since it sounds like they are just going to replace everything LOL.
     
  18. Jul 18, 2019 at 1:04 PM
    #38
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    Also just to add, this would normally cost around 2k. Yikesssss. Good thing he said the warranty will cover it. I feel kind of bad though, since most likely only one of those parts are the issue, but they are just going to do them all lol.
     
  19. Jul 18, 2019 at 2:03 PM
    #39
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2008
    Member:
    #12073
    Messages:
    1,877
    Gender:
    Male
    ummm maybe they are just a bunch of dufs after all. Sounds like they are punting because:

    1) The 2nd gen does not have a separate receiver drier. It only has a condenser with a sealed inner part of the condenser that contains a dessicant and it cannot be replaced. So are they going to replace the entire condenser?

    2) Perhaps their "expansion valve that comes with the receiver drier" is really the TXV valve because there is no such kit they reference The TXV valve is down line and inside the firewall.

    Ok, maybe its just some service advisor trying to sound smart but come on guys....
    Anyway, let them do it and see what happens and if they fix it fine, but then never ever go back there for anything.
     
  20. Jul 18, 2019 at 2:10 PM
    #40
    Murphinator

    Murphinator [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2015
    Member:
    #149903
    Messages:
    3,335
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB 4x4
    Yes, I only took it there because of the warranty I purchased. I change my own oil and do any other things myself. I was ready to fix the problem myself too, but I figured what the heck lets try round 3. He also said the high side was only pushing 90 psi, when last Sunday the high side was pushing 300-325PSI.
    If they want to replace 90% of my ac system, be my guest. That narrows down everything to just the evaporator that could be bad.

    By his message I am ASSUMING they are going to change the compressor/clutch, condenser, txv, and all orings. That should about cover it.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top