Hello Scotty,
My 2004 Dodge Intrepid w/ 2.7l engine and 126K miles had a dealer-installed new compressor last year. Soon after, the AC stopped blowing cold.
Today I bought a new AC manifold gauge and took readings.
Engine off, system cold
Low 33
High 70
Engine running, max AC, startup cold
Low -10
High 75
Engine running, max AC, warmed up for 5 minutes
Low 3
High 100
From your several years old video I conclude the system is not empty, the system is not overcharged, the evaporator core and the expansion valve may be clogged.
My question: Is my conclusion reasonable?
I do not conclude the new compressor is shot. I do conclude the evaporator core or expansion valve need to be replaced or cleaned.
My use of the manifold gauge gave me confidence that the cost of repair would be much less than the cost of replacing a compressor.
Today I took the car to a local dealer for testing. The A/C technician found the "Valve, Charging" to be clogged and the "Valve, Valve core. A/C Line, Charging" to be leaking. This tends to confirm my guess that something was clogged and something was leaking. The static pressure does indicate that much of the refrigerant had leaked out. Expected cost of the dealer service shop repairs will be $450. This is what I was hoping to see, as opposed to another $2000 bill for more professional labor.
It could be undercharged as well. It's certainly going deep into suction. (Compressor is working!) More typically on an R134a system depending on ambient temperature and humidity you'd be around 30-40 psi low and 200-250 high. Main thing that is suspicious otherwise is the static pressure is different on high and low sides. Assuming it had been sitting a while those should be the same.
