Are you serious? Do you know what normal means? I think you are confusing "normal" with "ideal". Normal means "usual" or "typical". It's not unusual for AC systems to leak over time. In fact, it's pretty NORMAL. If it weren't, we wouldn't be having this conversation, there wouldn't be recharge kits in the first aisle at AutoZone, there wouldn't be businesses based around fixing busted air conditioners, I could go on.

Yes, car AC systems are "sealed". But when you are sending coolant in gas and liquid form though gaskets, threaded pipe, hose clamps, rubber, etc. the system will eventually start to leak from use. It is normal for a system like this to leak over time. It would be abnormal if AC systems never leaked.

The refrigerant we're talking about, R134a, is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane. It has a density of 0.00425 g/cm³, in gas form. That is a VERY small particle. It doesn't take much of a hole for it to start leaking. But of course a small leak won't ruin an AC system, it'll just make it work less and less effectively over time.

What I'm wondering is if that's where I'm at right now. Do I have a tiny leak? If so, I'm happy to just add some more R134a and get it to work again for another year or so. I'm not trying to do a full on AC system overhaul if I don't have to. And I'm trying to figure out why my truck is acting the way it is in the video. Why can't I add the R134a? Why is the AC clutch cycling so fast?

If you can help me solve my problem, I'm in you're debt. Just telling me that it's not normal for AC systems to leak ain't helpful in any way. Just comes across as condescending and rude.

 

Not tryin to be rude. It not "normal", conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected, for a ac system to leak. Im not saying that they dont leak just saying it is not normal.
If you were at a used car dealer to buy a car or truck that had say 50,001 miles and the salesman said the ac did not work because it is normal for an older vehicle to have a leak in the system and does not work. You would call bs and go to another dealer.

 

Alright, I hear what you're saying. I agree. My truck's AC is not normal. I might have a leak.

So that leaves the question, why do you think my AC clutch is acting like that in the video I posted? And why won't my AC system let me add refrigerant? Any ideas?

 

I'm thinking I should try another can of R134a with a new hose. The hose I have is used and could be defective.

Also wondering if it could be the orifice tube. If anyone could offer any further advice, I'll be grateful. I'll also buy you a beer if you're ever around my way.

 

If you know you have a leak try and add a can of dye before you add any freon. That will help you find a leak. A cycling compressor is also a symptom the system could be overfilled. If you have the money take it to a local shop but try a small mom and pop type shop in your area. They usually are reasonable and will hook your truck up to check ac for less than 30.00.

 

That's good advice. I will probably take it to a shop. Thanks.

Edit: I found this basic video that seems to describe what's happening to my compressor:
It just says it means my system is low. If my system is low, I should be able to charge it. Maybe something is wrong with my cheapo charge hose.

 

If you have a suspected leak you can buy a UV light and glasses(sold as a leak detector kit) and go over your entire system with the light as the refrigerant will glow showing where the suspected leak was at.

 

It is low on freon and that is the reason for the cycling. You said it goes from low to high. If you noticed when the compressor was off the pressure went up, when the compressor started it went down. On that down stroke it goes below the low pressures setting and it cuts off the compressor so it is not starved of freon and OIL. This is where the simple changes to difficult. The system has a leak, has to, you lost freon or pressure which ever you want to call it. And with the loose of freon you also loose the oil that keeps the compressor lubricated. If you wish to just add freon (45lbs max) you can do that and it will leak out and each time it will lose oil until the compressor has none and it will lock up. So just add oil you say, okay now you chance flooding the system and you will be back on asking why the system if full but it doesn't work. Simple answers are sometimes not so simple.


Take it to a shop

 

Refrigerant leakage is normal except with the new systems now coming into production using R1234yf or CO2 refrigerant to get EPA credits.
See http://www.coolingpost.com/world-new...ars-this-year/

The refrigerant will normally leak past the compressor shaft seals or migrate through hoses when the system is not running for a while as in winter. Losing a pound of refrigerant in 4-5 years does not mean the system needs to be fixed just recharged. The compressor cycles fast when the system senses very low refrigerant, that's why I wrote to use warm water to speed the process.

The poster who wrote that R134a systems are sealed and leak nothing unless broken is misinformed.

As a retired chief engineer for a major OEM and 34 years of automotive engineering experience you can trust my advice.

 

Misinformed, no. So what you are saying is that if a car sits on a lot for sale thur the winter the freon will "migerate" thur the hoses thus need recharged when you need it. That is bs. Freon is so destructive to our environment that if that where normal our lovely government would never let that happen. Your a retired chief engineer and telling people this crap, I did not know the Yugo corporation was around for 34 years.And another note, I owned a 2002 ford explorer for 11 1/2 years and never added a drop of freon. I guess I bought a vehicle that had super seals and super hoses. By your definition they could not be normal because by your expert statement all my freon would have leaked out. Before you try to pass yourself off as an expert, get your facts straight.