What are the symptoms of overcharged car air conditioning refrigerant?
3 Answers
The symptoms of overcharged car air conditioning refrigerant are: 1. High-pressure alarm in the car air conditioning system; 2. Poor or no cooling effect; 3. Bursting of air conditioning pipes; 4. Abnormal noises during high-speed operation; 5. Increased pressure in the air conditioning system; 6. Burning of electrical components. The solution for overcharged car air conditioning refrigerant is: 1. Connect the car refrigerant recovery and charging machine to the high and low pressure pipes of the car air conditioning system; 2. Set the required refrigerant recovery capacity and start the recovery process. Car refrigerant, also known as car air conditioning refrigerant, functions as the working substance in the refrigeration system that continuously circulates and changes its state to achieve cooling.
Last month I encountered a situation where the refrigerant was overcharged. The compressor noise was unbearably loud—I could still hear the rattling even with the windows closed. The air outlet temperature wasn't as cold as before, and after twenty minutes of driving, the cabin still felt stuffy. At the repair shop, they found the high-pressure line vibrating severely. The mechanic said the excessive refrigerant caused system pressure to skyrocket, leading to frequent compressor cycling. The worst part was refrigerant leakage at the AC pipe joints, with frost buildup all over the metal tubing. If not addressed promptly, it not only wastes refrigerant but may even cause compressor piston scuffing. It's recommended to check pressure values when noticing reduced cooling efficiency—for most passenger cars, low-side pressure exceeding 50 psi indicates overcharging.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for several years, I often encounter cars with overcharged refrigerant. The most typical symptom is frost forming on the low-pressure AC line, which feels icy to the touch and has water droplets. The compressor clutch engages and disengages unusually frequently, clicking off every three minutes. The cooling performance actually worsens because excessive refrigerant fails to fully liquefy in the condenser, causing a drastic drop in heat exchange efficiency. The most severe case I've seen involved an expansion valve being damaged by high pressure, resulting in an ice blockage throughout the entire pipeline. Always use a dual-gauge manifold to monitor pressures when charging – maintaining 25-35 psi on the R134a refrigerant low side is safest.
