1998 Jeep XJ A/C Help needed!

[groovyone]

I did a search on the forums, but didn't find a problem quite like mine.

I recently swapped compressors on my 1998 Jeep Cherokee XJ, and I am having a problem with coolant/oil loss out the pressure release of the compressor. I am at a loss now, so I am hoping someone can help me out. The compressor is the OEM Sanden.

Here is what I did:

1) System pressure was bled, most of the oil seemed to be removed.
2) Compressor was filled with 7oz of PAG 100 oil. I assumed there may be 1oz or so left in the system, so I filled to 1/2 way between the max and min I had read.
3) Compressor installed and belt tightened.
4) Vacuum pulled on AC lines.
5) 3 12oz R-134a cans added while compressor was running.

At this point everything was working great. I let it run for 10-15 minutes. The problem started later on when I ran the compressor. Now it will start shaking (it is properly secured) and once it revs past idle, coolant/oil spit out the pressure release.

Did I add too much oil or coolant, or did I use the incorrect oil (PAG100 or 46?), or is it something different I missed?

I know the compressor is good (it worked fine before), and it showed the same behavior with a 2001 compressor installed. I am mechanically inclined, but have no AC system experience until now. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[O.D.]

Check the refrigerant capacity. It should be on a sticker somewhere on one of your a/c components or sometimes on the stickers listing engine size and what not. I'm not sure exaclty how much it's supposed to take. If you can get a set of guages to hook up to it and check the pressures that would be better. High side about 180-200, low side 25-35. Static pressure(guages hooked up w/out a/c running) Should be close to the outside temperature.

 

[Rick Anderson]

Could be over serviced. Pressure is too high in the system and its venting out the pressure relief valve.

Don't know the capacity of an XJ, but most regular size R-134a systems are less than 30 oz, and you added 36 ozs. Find out the proper amount of refrigerant you were suppossed to add and correct. The best would be too get a set of pressure guages and check the pressures of the operating system they should be what O.D. said. If hi-side is higher than 200PSI, your likely over serviced. 210PSI is usually OK if its in the high 90's for ambient temps.

 

[groovyone]

Thanks for the info guys! All I needed was the correct pressures. Now it is working like a charm. Next time I get the urge to add a 3rd can I'll have someone smack me.

 

[scoobyxj]

Thanks for the info guys! All I needed was the correct pressures. Now it is working like a charm. Next time I get the urge to add a 3rd can I'll have someone smack me.

The pressures are dependent on ambent temp. You eather need a chart, or just plane experence to know what it is supposed to be for the current temp in which you doing the servicing.