QuestionMy wife's 2000 VW Beetle's air conditioning went out recently. I was going to add 143, but the pressure was already higher than it should have been. The compressor sounds like it is kicking on. Is there anything else I can check?
AnswerHello Wryan;
Sorry it took so long to respond. My computer went haywire, and I can fix a car, but not a computer.
If the pressure is already higher than it should be, there is an obstruction between the compressor, and the thermal expansion valve. I don't know for sure, but my initial guess without having the car to look at personally is that a small part inside the compressor broke, and is now lodged up against the inlet at the TXV. There is another thing to check first, and that is this...have a helper, your wife, perhaps, sit in the car, and just turn the A/C on, and off. She could do it when you ask her to, or just every 15-20 seconds or so, on, and then off. Get the engine splash guard on the right side of the car off, and watch the CENTER of the compressor. There is a shaft, and a nut. If the shaft, and nut don't turn, when the A/C is ON, or OFF(obviously they shouldn't turn when the system is off), then the "break away" compressor shaft feature for for overpressure has worked, saved the rest of the system, and perhaps your wife's life.
That will mean the compressor needs replacement, and the system needs to be "back flushed" with a high pressure NITROGEN gas application, only available at certain air conditioning specialty shops.....at least that is the preferred method according to MACS...mobile air conditioning society.
Good luck with this one Wryan, it sounds like it could be expensive.
