AC Manifold Gauges

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Manifold Gauges are a tool commonly used in servicing air conditioning systems. They can be rented or purchased at many auto parts and tools stores.

Connecting & Use

manifold_gauges_setup.jpg
This illustration from the FSM gives a brief overview on setting up manifold gauges. Click for full-size.


Setting manifold gauges is simple and straightforward.

  • The low-pressure hose (usually blue) connects to the low pressure service port on the car. This is the larger pipe (see the Air Conditioning System page to see where this is on your car).
  • The high pressure hose (usually red) connects to the high pressure service port on the car (next to the passenger side shock tower).
  • The center connector (usually yellow) connects to a vacuum pump.
  • The low-pressure service connector (usually green) connects to the refrigerant source. The port for this is usually next to the low-pressure gauge on the manifold gauge assembly.

Vacuuming

It is necessary to vacuum the system before charging.

Initial Vacuum

  1. Completely tighten all fittings and adapter valves.
  2. Open the high and low pressure valves on the manifold gauge assembly.
  3. Open the vacuum port (center valve) on the manifold gauge assembly.
  4. Run the vacuum pump.
  5. Perform evacuation for more than five minutes to stabilize the vacuum in the system. Check to ensure the low pressure gauge indicates -29.13 to -29.92 inHg.
  6. Shut off the high and low pressure valves and vacuum valve.
  7. Shut off the vacuum pump.

Checking for Air Tightness

After performing the above...

  1. Leave the system as-is for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Make sure the needle of the low-pressure gauge does not move towards the atmospheric (gauge pressure 0) side at all.
    • If any reverse movement is noted, it indicates poor system airtighteness. Service the system until airtightness is complete. If pressure changes approx 3.94 inHg in 10 minutes, the refrigerant in the system will be exhausted in about one month.
  3. Once the system is air tight, continue to fully evacuate the system.

Final Evacuation

Once the system is completely holding vacuum...

  1. Run vacuum pump.
  2. Open the high and low pressure valves on the manifold gauge assembly.
  3. Open the vacuum valve on the manifold gauge assembly.
  4. Continue to run for more than 20 minutes.
  5. Close high and low pressure valves and vacuum valve on manifold gauge assembly.
  6. Continue to the A/C Recharge article.

Reading Manifold Gauges

Reading manifold gauges can be a very effective way to quickly and correctly identify issues with the cooling system.

Condition
Probable Cause
Corrective Action

Insufficient Refrigerant Charge
insufficientrefrigerantcharge.jpg

Insufficient refrigerant charge.

Bubbles appear in sigh glass.
Refrigerant is low; system is slightly leaky.
  1. Leak test.
  2. Repair leak.
  3. Charge system.Evacuate as necessary, and recharge
    system.

Almost No Refrigerant
almostnorefrigerant.jpg

No cooling action.

A lot of bubbles or something
like mist appears in sight glass.
Serious refrigerant leak.

Stop compressor immediately.

  1. Leak test.
  2. Discharge system.
  3. Repair leak(s).
  4. Replace receiver/drier if necessary.
  5. Check Oil Levels oil level.
  6. Evacuate and recharge system.

Malfunctioning Expansion Valve
malfunctioningexpansionvalve.jpg

Slight cooling.

Sweat or frosting on expansion
valve inlet.

Expansion valve restricts refrigerant flow.

  • Expansion valve is clogged.
  • Expansion valve is inoperative.
    • Valve stuck closed.
    • Thermal bulb has lost charge.

If valve reveals sweat or frost:

  1. Discharge system.
  2. Remove valve and clean it. Replace
    if necessary.
  3. Evacuate system.
  4. Charge system.
    If valve does not operate:
  5. Discharge system.
  6. Replace valve.
  7. Evacuate and charge system.

malfunctioningexpansionvalve2.jpg

Insufficient cooling.

Sweat on suction line.
Expansion valve allows too much refrigerant
through evaporator.
Check valve for operation. If suction side
does not show a pressure decrease,
replace valve.

malfunctioningexpansionvalve3.jpg

No cooling.

Sweat or frosting on suction
line.
Malfunctioning expansion valve.
  1. Discharge system.
  2. Replace valve.
  3. Evacuate and charge system.

Malfunctioning Suction Throttle
Valve
malfunctioning_suctionthrottlevalve1.jpg

Insufficient cooling.

Frosted evaporator.

Suction throttle valve is inoperative.

  1. Discharge system.
  2. Replace valve.
  3. Evacuate and charge system.
    Note: Some owners opt to gut the valve
    instead of replace it.

malfunctioning_suctionthrottlevalve2.jpg

Insufficient cooling.
Suction throttle valve restricts refrigerant
flow.
  1. Discharge system.
  2. Replace valve.
  3. Evacuate and charge system.Note: Some owners opt to gut the valve
    instead of replace it.

Malfunctioning Condenser
malfunctioning_condenser.jpg

No cooling action; engine may
overheat.

Bubbles appear in sight glass.

Suction line is very hot.
Usually a malfunctioning/dirty condenser.

High Pressure Line Blocked
highpressurelineblocked.jpg

Insufficient cooling.

Frosted high-pressure liquid
line.

Receiver/drier clogged, or restriction in
high pressure line.

  1. Discharge system.
  2. Remove receiver/drier and
    replace it.
  3. Evacuate and charge system.

Malfunctioning Compressor
malfunctioning_compressor.jpg

Insufficient cooling.
Internal problem in compressor, or
damaged gasket and valve.
  1. Discharge system.
  2. Remove and check compressor.
  3. Repair or replace compressor.
  4. Check Oil Levels oil level.
  5. Replace receiver/drier.
  6. Evacuate and charge system.

Too Much Oil in System
toomuchoilinsystem.jpg

Insufficient cooling.
Too much oil circulates with refrigerant,
causing the cooling capacity of the system
to be reduced.

Refer to the Oil Levels Compressor Oil section
of the A/C System article.

Air in System
airinsystem.jpg

Insufficient cooling.

Sight glass shows occasional
bubbles.
Air mixed with refrigerant system.
  1. Discharge system.
  2. Replace receiver/drier.
  3. Evacuate and charge system.

Moisture in System
moistureinsystem.jpg

After short operation, suction
side may show vacuum reading.
During this condition, discharge
air will be warm. As a warning
of this, the reading vibrates
around 6 PSI.
Drier is saturated with moisture. Moisture
has frozen in expansion valve. Refrigerant
flow is restricted.
  1. Discharge system.
  2. Replace receiver/drier (twice if
    necessary).
  3. Evacuate system completely.
    (Repeat 30 minutes evacuating
    three times).
  4. Recharge system.