The new condensers I installed are super hot in some areas and extra cool other areas. And the compressor is kicking off because of too much pressure. I need help to understand the problem.

Earlier this year I replaced (with new parts) the accumulator, compressor, hose lines, condenser, orifice tube (installed a red one) and evaporator. The hard liquid line was cleaned. The proper amount and type of oil was added, system evacuated and filled with 134a.

The condenser is a piccolo style – incoming line at the top connects to the incoming vertical tube that feeds all the horizontal tubes that all traverse the fins and loop around on the other end and return back thru the fins to the outgoing vertical tube that connects to the outgoing line at the bottom. The books say these were on Firebirds from 1986 thru 1991.

The first condenser installed was hot (160 degrees) on the first 8 loop arounds and the remaining 20 or so stayed cool (90 degrees). The compressor climbed to 400psi and tripped off every 15 seconds. That one had an obvious obstruction.

The second condenser was hot on the first few loop arounds and cooler by about 10 degrees for every 3 or 4 loops and the last few at 90 degrees. The compressor tripped off every 15 seconds with it also. Tech support also says it is obstructed.

The third condenser is scheduled to be installed soon.

I would like to know the condenser loop around temps of your 86 – 91 Firebirds to better understand how yours are working and compare the temps with mine. Your input is appreciated.

 

 

The low side pressure remains around 36 - 38 while the compressor is tripping back in at about 150 (I think) and tripping off at 400. The high side pressure is always rising or falling, never steady. The low side is right at 38 when it hits 400. The outside air temp is around 82 - 84 degrees.

 

Are your fans running with the AC on? When fan kicks on, it should immediately start dropping the High pressure side. BTW...on a 90 degree day, you should be seeing 45-55 ish low side, 250-270 high side

 

 

The electric fan kicks on at 225 psi. As the pressure hits 400, the compressor kicks off and the fan stays on. The fan turns off at about 150 psi. All working normally.

I plan to install the new condenser Friday night or Saturday and check the temperatures and air flow issues then.

 

I replaced the condenser and the loop around temperatures were greatly equalized. Now I have a good condenser.

The pressure did not go down so I replaced the orifice tube (the one I installed earlier is red but it was also variable flow) with a new red Ford type (.062 inch) and the pressure stays at about 300 psi and 50 for the low on a 36 ounce charge. The line and air temperatures are running within normal parameters.

I plan to increase air flow sometime soon and make other adjustments to try to make it work even better. I plan to post my work and results when it is all complete.

 

Good deal,what kind of condenser did you use?

 

Eric1988 - what condenser did you finally got with?