How to use AC Gauges in Your Car (AC Problems)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- AC gauges. How to use AC gauges in your car DIY with Scotty Kilmer. How to fix ac problems. How to read and recharge the AC system using pressure gauges. How to use a set of AC gauges to fix air conditioning that's not working. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 43 years.
⬇️Things used in this video:
1. AC Gauges: amzn.to/2BIru4v
2. Big Fan: amzn.to/2kDJTIP
3. Flashlight: amzn.to/2kwtiu3
4. Common Sense
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⬇️Things used in this video:
1. AC Gauges: amzn.to/2BIru4v
2. Big Fan: amzn.to/2kDJTIP
3. Flashlight: amzn.to/2kwtiu3
4. Common Sense
5. Full HD Camera: amzn.to/2AvoEk7
6. My computer for editing / uploading: amzn.to/2i2sKYz
7. Video editing software: amzn.to/2jv5Fhf
8. Thumbnail software: amzn.to/2k7tz6C
🛠Check out my Garage to see what I use every day and highly recommend:
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👉Follow me on Instagram for the latest news, funnies, and exclusive info / pics:
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Scotty Kilmer this comment is hilarious.
Dang.. the link for the sale on common sense is absent. Back to dragging my knuckles then..
Dear Sir, my car (Lancer) shows very high pressure on the high-pressure side such that the HVAC pressure switch turns off after 40 sec when ac is turned on...what might be the reason for this. Recently my car runs through water upto a level of 1.5 foot. Whether water gets enter into the system
I need common sense Scotty 😓
where do I buy common sense at?
Keep in mind I am from Texas, and we talk a bit different down here. I was watching this video, and thinking about how much I like your videos. My son comes up and says "he's talkin' funny." :-) I said Son, when a man knows this much about cars, and helps out this much, he can talk however he likes. Scotty, I want to say THANK YOU!!! Your videos have helped me out countless times and saved me a ton of money. I appreciate what you do, how you do it, and even how you talk!
Paul Irwin lol Scotty's also from Texas how funny!
Hell yes
The guy is from houston.
@@florascent9ts scotty from new York he is
@@flicmydik pretty sure niagara falls usa
11 yo video and yet in 5minutes it explained the usage of the tool and common issues + fixes better than most others do in videos four times as long. Thank you Scotty for your work!
Hi Scotty, Changed my Shrader valves, evacuated and recharged my Lexus SC400 today. Thanks for all your training. She is pushing 42 Degrees now through the vents. I used the O'Rielly tool program. Total cost for this project was 70.00. Doing it with your help saved me tons. Thank you, Rick
Thanks for the info. I went ahead and bought a set because I went to an A/C shop and they told me the compressor was shot so they quoted me a pretty steep price plus parts, refrigerant and recovery fee. (~850) I checked the system and found it was about 20 psi on the low side and less than 100 on the high side. The system is now cooling but I will see how long it will last. One item the HF set was missing was the valve to pierce the can which cost 6.99 at AutoZone. Your videos helped me take this project on. At the end, I had ~45 on the low side and ~195 on the high side. worked perfectly. Thanks again,
Watching 11 years later, and I can confirm the gauges are now $64.99 at my local harbor freight compared to the $49.99 mentioned. Still a good steal haha
I know a year late, but just wanted to chime in. It is selling for $65 but it regularly goes on sale for $49.99, just bought it at that price yesterday.
the low-side negative pressure info was the gold nugget for me...
... only video yet i've seen that's mentioned it.
best most informative quick and no BS video i have seen on pressures and diagnosis today, and i've watched 30 vids....
Agree , straight to the point. 🖐🇦🇺
That comes from years of exprience and not by school boys
Thanks Scotty. Unlike most people in the world you are quite useful.
I'm prepping to replace the compressor and condenser on my wife's Subaru. The condenser has some refrigerant dye on it and I know that's where the leak is. The compressor has just recently starting making a whine when its running, but still works ... kind of. The AC is cool, but not cold.
Since I'll be in there doing major surgery I also decided to replace the $20 expansion valve and am putting in all new o-rings and replacing the Schrader valves as well. I have a set of gauges and use them regularly but thought I'd refresh my memory about them. Your video is as always... spot on.
Kilmer is a gift that keeps giving.
Scotty, thank you for sharing your knowledge. There is nothing like doing a job the "Right Way." I watch your videos often. I'm 73 and still learning about cars, love it.
This is a great video, Scotty ! I'm just a hobbyist, so it took me years to learn all of that on my own (pre-internet too). Somehow, you compressed all of that knowledge into a 5 minute video. Thanks !
Thank you so much Scotty. I’ve learned so much and was reminded of lots of things I’ve forgotten. You are appreciated. Where might I find a full chart for ambient temp, Humidity, with low and high readings?
@@roberthuggins2086 It is not in Haynes, but I saw the chart in Shop Manual I fortunately have for 2 of our cars.
You are very verbal and explain things easily and clearly in a step by step fashion without getting distracted...and it’s clear you like what you do, so that comes through in your TH-cam videos. So many guys on TH-cam who discuss mechanical issues with cars, lawnmowers, go carts, etc. can’t even talk to the public well, so it’s hard to follow them. And there are gaps in their discussions...probably gaps in their knowledge too. Thank you for your videos.
Love ya scotty you are so awesome for helping complete strangers. They broke the mold when god made ya. Thanks for all these great posts.
well be sure to check me out every saturday morning at 10 AM CST. I now do a live question and answer show on google events then when anyone can ask their question and get an answer LIVE. Just click on the google plus icon on my scotty kilmer channel page on the top right corner on Sat morning and you can ask your own question.
generally it's worn valve seals or piston rings doing that. Do a wet and dry compression test to see if its the rings, and pray the pressures are good, showing its valve seals, which you can just live with
Scotty this is by far the best explanation I have seen to explain what the low/high a/c readings mean and what the fix would be. Your help is much appreciated.
If you like my car help, be sure to watch my live car talk show every Saturday morning at 10 AM CST on TH-cam. I answer your car questions LIVE there. Just check it out at How To Ask A Live Mechanic Car Questions Free On TH-cam . And remember, every TUESDAY I upload a new video, so don’t miss them.
@wangbungal Yes, I've broken knobs off on all my gauge sets, I end up replacing them with metal knobs from a hardware store for outdoor faucets. Scotty
Follow up: I bought an expansion relief valve, and took the evaporator housing apart to replace the valve. Once I got the housing open i found that it was clogged with leaves! After a thorough cleaning, vacuuming and recharging, I discovered the evaporator core has a leak. The leaves were so thick, it was slowing the leak, & preventing hearing any hissing. I only discovered the leak once it was cleaned. I'll be buying an evap core & replacing this weekend. Thanks Scotty!
Great video Scotty! This is what people want to know. A+
it would help to know the question, if you ask a question here, ask the entire question or I will not know what to respond to
This video was totally helpful. Low and high was the same took off the compressor it was drier than a popcorn fart. Thanks Scotty
That seems pretty dry....
I'm stealing the term "popcorn Fart"
I've fixed a bunch of ACs in my career and that is about the best, succinct and accurate tutorial I've seen. It's not complicated, you just have to understand what each of the components does and it starts making sense. Good job!
Can you help me out with mine?. I just replaced my compressor, condenser and expansion valve. A/c wasn't cool especially during the day. It's was "fresh" in the morning and night.
Well like I said, I replaced those 3 parts and still doing the same thing. The mechanic told me I probably got a defective compressor, so I bought another one and still the same.
make sure the condenser fan comes on first. If it does, you have a serious high side restriction like drier or bad expansion valve
So many videos on youtube on the subject ,some very long ones,yet you managed to explain exactly all the scenarios in a very short video and not too many words but all done in a way that anyone can understand.I take my hat off to you sir !I had bought a set of gauges and the low pressure was 70 and high pressure 100 psi with engine off ,with it on and the compressor spinning it doesnt do anything ,so it must be a bad compressor.
Thank you Scotty this helps a lot. You explained everything like no other…
Scotty you are my hero! I've been subscribed for several years and your channel almost always has the answer(s) I am looking for and them some more. Quick facts and videos are set-up an an effective manner to learn from.
I and 1.3 million others greatly appreciate you!!
I thought your description of various pressure scenarios was bang up!
Thanks.
Short and simple: Scotty your videos have helped tens of thousands of people, including me!!!
you can't check the compressor pressure unless it's moving. Try hot wiring it to make it spin. If it won't spin or does and the pressure is still that same, it's shot
Probably your best one that I’ve watched Scotty. Thanks
Scotty, I recently found your videos, and I love them. I like your energy, and no nonsense way of explaining stuff. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the help.
I was a mechanic for 8 years and had no idea how to use the gauges as we just used the big machine. Just recharged my 90 Chevy with your help thanks
Your THE MAN! I have a 4runner with the same engine, ac system and that's the direction I'm heading with my diagnosis
This guy is great! I love his enthusiasm.
its from sniffing leaking refrigerant all those years
This guy is amazing and YES he built a personality of course he's funny,but what matters here is THE PASSION that this guy has to teach what he knows!,not everyone does that,thanks SCOTTY and may God bless you and yours always!!!
first, fix the evap drain if it's getting water inside the vehicle. But if it's only wet outside under the hood, they often do that when really humid outside
Great video! Bought the same set today and im glad nothing was wrong with my AC system, just low refrigerate
The only guy that actually explains what different readings might mean.
Scotty, your channel is the first one I check to see how to check and repair my car. Thanks a lot for sharing your expertise and common sense!
thanks scotty, my auto ac shop wanted $900 to replace my compressor, I can do it now for half that with new pump & expansion valve, oil and refrigerant including buying the vacuum gauges and the vacuum pump!
Hey Scotty this video was the second that came up in search results when I searched for this topic. The first was from AutoZone but I decided to go to the first “real person” video instead, and that was yours. So this is the first video of yours I’ve seen, and I gotta say I really found it useful and informational, and also I really dig your presentation style. Subscribed!
low side is a bit high, but if the low side line is cold, and the high side hot, often it's a dash problem is you don't get cold air cause those pressures aren't that bad. Often the dash unit blend doors don't open right to let cold air into the dash when you have those pressures which aren't off by much
Why do you always do a better job explaining things in a very simple way? Good job $cotty.
those pressures are not that bad, often internal dash problems like bad blend doors cause that.
Fixed my roommates a/c. Changed the compressor & used these exact gauges & vacuum pump from harbor freight. Blows cold as Alaska now. Just weigh the cans so you don’t overcharge, keeping in mind 12oz plus whatever the can itself weighs. With the new self sealing cans, you can take them off the can tapper all you want, to weigh them when you’re getting close to what the system needs.
Just awesome thanks for this video! Very well done.
Clear. Concise. Not over-complicated. Very well done sir!
when you check the pressures, you don't open any valves at all on the gauges, you just open the valves on the system itself where they snap onto the car so the gauges get readings.
But what about the air that is in the hose? And if you checked and it is ok. Is there refridgerant in the hoses?
@@markmcselec when checking the pressures, the air in the hose has nowhere to go. It’s compressed towards the gauges to get the readings and then you close them before turning the vehicle off. The end result is that you have the air that was originally in the hose plus whatever refrigerant that flowed in while taking the readings. A negligible amount. So no air from the hose really gets into the system and not much refrigerant really escapes the system.
@@davidjaminsky thanks for the clear explanation. It now understand it.
I do appreciate your video and response. I couldn't bare the $850 for compressor so I did some more looking. My 2006 Ford Freestyle along with some other older Fords and Chevys use a scroll type compressor. A common problem with them is a $35 scroll valve located on back of compressor. 30 min fix. Symptom was " warm at idol and cold while driving. Thanks again for the video and input what got interested in doing it myself and not spending the money on the whole compressor.
Thank you Scotty for this information.
If you like my car help, be sure to watch my live car talk show every Saturday morning at 10 AM CST on TH-cam. I answer your car questions LIVE there. Just check it out at How To Ask A Live Mechanic Car Questions Free On TH-cam . And remember, every TUESDAY I upload a new video, so don’t miss them.
Hell yes , Scotty’s tha man 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Dude, you’ve come a long way. I dig it that you’ve gotten better and funnier, people remember more accurately when it’s fun. Trust me on that one.
As I'm watching, my son says to me "Why is he yelling?" Lol
Great video. I had the same problem with my car. Through this AC gauges my air conditioner regain new life.
Scotty I love your videos for an experienced technician, I almost always learn something. I really love ya brother in arms for all you do for us. ******* But for the inexperienced backyard or new mechanic I find your videos DANGEROUS for them and the rest of us on the road. ******** You often leave out EXTREMLY IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION. ************* In this case you failed to mention the use of the knobs on the gauges and when to open or not to open them. Opening the High side while a can is hooked up could be very dangerous. Also you gave no warning about possible frost bite, or can manipulation or position when filling. Brother you've got to fix these SAFETY ISSUES in your videos. Or at least say you should get an experienced technician to teach you. Love ya bro Best Wishes n Blessings Keith
This video is not about charging an AC system. It's about trouble shooting and taking readings. But I see your point and it's good practice to add the do's and don'ts.
Scotty is just educating the public so as we know the problems. It is not an issue in your country where all is professional and honest. In mine, we need to know...period or else.
experience is good for a mechanic/technician, but in the USA you also must be "Certified" to work on A/C systems.
Nadien Sans to work as a professional yes. One needs no certification to work on ones own vehicle.
@john boy EXACTLY you would like my videos. L☺L.
This is the first video of yours that I've viewed. Scotty, I gotta say, I love the way you deliver information. I've been independently studying AC systems for about three months now for work. I'm green in the automotive field (a year into it), and no one else has really been able to plainly state what the gauges indicate. At work, the recommendation is always evac and recharge. No real diagnoses to speak of. I just had that aha! moment. Thanks, Scotty. Subscribed.
If you like my car help, be sure to watch my live car talk show every Saturday morning at 10 AM CST on TH-cam. I answer your car questions LIVE there. Just check it out at How To Ask A Live Mechanic Car Questions Free On TH-cam . And remember, every TUESDAY I upload a new video on the scotty kilmer channel on TH-cam, th-cam.com/users/scottykilmer , so don’t miss them.
my low side is about 40 but it decrease to less then 20 when I accelarate , any Ideas ??
THANK YOU
What is the high side read? Probably low on gas, need top up.
You're awesome and informative, Scotty. Thank you for passing along your knowledge. You've helped me in many situations, WAY above my pay grade!
where can I find the chart for the correct AC pressure that Depends on the temperature and the humidity
??
Scotty: Thanks. I checked it again this morning and -120 both sides with out motor on, 55/460 when started, lowered to 45 and got 405!! Compressor made a funny noise- noticed after lowering pressure, the compressor does not cycle now- just runs, at 2500 pressure goes to 440!!! I will change the parts as you mentioned. If you have any other suggestions, keep them coming.
Thanks again.
Don
Fantastic informational video Scotty, thankyou for sharing it's appreciated. Cheers from 🇦🇺 👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This guy has randomly helped me so many times.
Thanks, Scotty. This clip confirms the issue I have with my rear A/C not working.
Dude you rock Scotty! You have such a great entertaining and informative video. Most are just boring and fluffed with information. You actually kept me watching where many just talk nothing and I close the video out. Thank you!
First time watcher. This video is excellent, thank you for all your help!!
odds are compressor is shot with readings about the same pressure IF the compressor is actually spinning the clutch. If you like my car help, be sure to watch my live car talk show every saturday morning at 10 AM CST on google events. Just go to my scotty kilmer channel on youtube saturday morning at 10, and click on the google plus icon on the top right corner. That takes you to the event where you can ask me questions Live. You do have to be a member of google plus, but that's free
WOW that is a great idea. Didn't think of doing that. I assumed that I had blockage. I just purchased a new compressor, hose set, condenser, O-Ring kit, flush kit and a dryer ($375). Didn't put it in yet. Think I will try your suggestion before doing all that work, if so I will get refunds. Thanks for taking the time to help.
Regards R McG
Thanks Scott! It worked on my car's AC system.
Thanks scotty you make my schoolwork easier to understand. Wish you were one of my teachers 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Scotty very well done - explained simply and throughly with various readings for L & H --- great job ...
Wow. You just explained and simplified what i thought was a myth . Diagnosing a car AC!
👏👏 thank you!
Scotty this video on AC guard usage was amazing. Ty so much for sharing your truly top notch professional know how on auto servicing....your truly a blessing for this world. Love ya buddy
Scotty, I appreciate the heck out of you on this video. Thank you.
Scotty, you are truly the man! I respect your honesty and info
I learned a lot from your video. I watched it several times. I am having AC problem on my 1998 Chevy Cheyenne.
they all have relays, but rarely do they go out on hondas. Try hot wiring the clutch and if it works, you might just put a switch on to run it, as hondas are all computer run AC systems and get expensive to fix often
Scotty
First thanks for all the Help and Knowledge you Share.
I have a 92 honda civic Vx
two years ago I changed everything in A/C system short of Compressor, Evap, Exp Valve, Dryer, Condenser, and Flushed all lines Changed all o rings and converted to 134a I did not change compressor due to $$$...I got good cold air for last two years
(I live in Florida ) recently in AM drive to work temps 82-85 the A/C blows Cold down to 56 at vent. However on way home when its 92 the compressor kicks out and will not engage. So I checked the pressures and 35- 45 on low side and 195 on High side. However the pressure builds with increased rpm until high side pressure get to 250 and the compressor Kicks out....the low side pressure also decreases to around 25-30 as the rpms increase. The car has 250 k on it and so I am thinking this old R 12 compressor is prob seen its better day. the High side needle has little vibration at Idle however needle on gauge smooths out as RPM increases. Love to hear any suggestions you have.
try hot wiring the compressor with a wire from the battery positive terminal to see if it works then. If it at least turns, then check your low pressure when turning and if it's low, you a re just low on refrigerant
Thank you, you helped me out many times, keep up the awesome videos man
2:15 mark, awesome explanation, was informed I’d have to replace evaporator core or expansion valve. Either way they said it’d involve removal of the dashboard, which should bring cost to over $700.00. Great video, thank you.
Great vid. I will change my expansion valve right now!
Finally a video that explains everything! Thank you sir! You are amazing!
depends where the valve is, some like many chryslers are on the firewall, take half an hour. some are inside the dash like mercedes, take a day. Look it up on any data system for labor hours
Thank you! My 2004 tacoma has "0" on the low side and "100" on the high side. The AC is trying to cool but doesn't get there. My fear was that it was the evaporator core as that is the biggest pain in the rear to fix as it is normally behind the dash. Your video confirmed this. I may just forget about fixing my ac and sweat the summers out. :)
it will shut off at 20 from too low pressure. often a restriction from a bad expansion valve does that, but low refrigerant can do that too.
One scenario I didn't see covered was, What if you have a situation where the compressor shuts off for a more usual period of time and starts blowing out warm are out of the ducts for an unusually longer period of minutes before it come back on. Gauges read about 38-40 on low side and 225-250 on the high side. When the compressor shuts off for that unusually prolonged period of time while the engine is still running, the low side gauge climbs to 90-92 while the high side goes to around 255-260. If you have an idea, much thanks in advance Scottie because I have been searching for along time to figure this out.
My hi side is 150 my low side is 350. Love your videos
I love when he says rev up your engines (and his Mustang says "98 miles to empty" and it quickly goes down to "97 miles to empty" just by revving the car) LOL MAJOR GAS GUZZLER
the middle hose is the hose for adding the refrigerant, it goes to the refrigerant adding cannister
Still the best AC diagnosing vid out there
the compressor is probably going out, they should make no noises. but try filling it up and adding a couple ounces of pag AC oil and see what happens.
could be a bad compressor bleeding pressure back. Or the whole orifice tube assembly is bad and is leaking too much pressure into the evaporator
hey Scotty, really enjoy your vids and definitely learn plenty, but some things you got to learn by doing, like purchasing refrig gauges. i purchased a set of those "harbor freight" gauges, took them home, put them together, tested them with a vacuum pump, and they held vac for about 45 min before i released them, then went the next day to use them on my truck and they wouldn't hold vac right from the get/go, so wasn't sure if it was the truck or the gauges, so i tested the gauges once again and behold this time they wouldn't hold vac in the test this time. so those things i guess a 1 or 2 time use only, heck i didn't even get 1 real use from them. so i had to take them back. i would suggest to your subs to spend a little more money and get a decent set that will last more than a couple of uses. i don't know maybe you had better luck with yours. anyway i still luv ya, just sayin. 😎😜😝✌
That's what I thought.
Vac the system down again with both valves open. After an hour or so, close both valves and then shut off the pump. Note the gauge will read 30hg of vac. Wait about 20 minutes or so and note the gauges. If you read less than 30 hg, you have a leak somewhere and you should find and fix it before continuing. If it holds, hook up a can to the service line, then bleed out the air in the line before opening the low side valve. Run the engine at 1500- 2000 rpms while charging.
Thanks for this vid! This is some of the best instructional I've seen on youtube. My 1999 Miata mx5 is making a shrieking noise and pulling what seems to be an abnormal amount of power from the engine in addition to coming off and on with the cool air. I have a Harbor Freight very close so will try this!
I agree with you that the only way to add refrigerant correctly every time is to evacuate and add by weight, but your typical viewer is a DIY'er like me who doesn't have access to that kind of equipment.
Maybe you should mention that you can slowly add charge and when the suction line is cold and sweating all the way back to the compressor, your charge is probably close enough without having to remove the existing refrigerant.
Thank you for posting this information.
I went to Auto Zone and free rented their guages. OEM brand. Picked up 2lbs of R134a to have on stand just to see if it was a leak. I understand you cannot fill a space with refrigerant and expect it to displace an air pocket Low side 150 high side about the same. Compressor does not kick on. Without a recovery device, I will have to leave it to the professionals. 2006 Honda CRV 122k miles.
Thank you for your generosity to share your knowledge about car. Thank you scotty.
At 2:50 the same readings ( indicating a bad compressor) can be duplicated when the orifice tube is missing. A low cost but critical part that can be missed when a backyard mechanic is replacing pressure hoses
Just fixed my AC myself. Thank you for the great video!!!!