I have a 2010 mitsubishi galant ES 190,000 miles
Low pressure is right at 40psi with the compressor running.
The AC is no where near as cold as it used to be a week ago. I'm wondering if I possibly it has have a clogged orifice tube but I'm not sure if this car even has one or possibly just a bad expansion valve.
Thanks in advance
~Romeo Trevino San Antonio, TX
That's only the low reading, what is the high pressure reading? What is the ambient temperature? (Pressure is dependent on temperature.)
It is most likely that over the last 12 years you've lost some refrigerant. It is also possible that your temperature blend door is not operating properly.
According to the rockauto.com database that car has an expansion valve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HCSsv3uYfM
I don't have gauges. Ambient temp is 93°F.
A couple of months ago. Refrigerant was low, the compressor wasn't engaging. Low side was at 15psi so I added refrigerant till it engaged again and kept increasing till 40psi so if I have a leak it would last a while before I needed more. When I removed the quick connect from the low side I noticed leaking on that schrader valve so I tightened it and it stopped leaking. Ac was cold and since then it's been slowly getting less and less cold and not losing low side pressure at all
I don't have gauges. Ambient temp is 93°F. ...
You cannot effectively diagnose and work on air conditioning without a manifold gauge set, at a minimum. If you're using one of those so-called "refill cans" they are completely worthless for diagnosis and if they contain sealer you can destroy your air conditioning system by "recharging" with them. As far as losing cooling over time you most likely have a leak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IBFLMYZEzI
45 low 160 high. I bought some gauges
If that's with ambient temperature around 90 degrees the low side looks OK but the high side is too low. See "Scenario 5" in this document as a starting point. If the refrigerant you previously used contained sealer hopefully it is not plugging up your AC system:
Get a set of manifold gauges at Harbor Freight and check both sides of the system. They're $45 right now. I bought a set along with their vacuum pump and repaired my truck's air conditioner.
Low side is 45psi, high side is 160psi
2010 mitsubishi galant ES
AC blows slightly cool at about 75°
ambient temp 100°F
I vaccumed and refilled.... Same readings
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