AC System Diagnostics - Loop Components Temperature HOW TO PROCEED

FOR PROPER DIAGNOSTICS,

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
PROFESSIONAL DEVICES
DESIGNED FOR AC SERVICE

DUAL PROBE
EXPANSION VALVE EVAPORATOR THERMOMETER
DIRECTLY ON THE UNIT

2-5 °C
35-41 °F
DIRECTLY ON THE SURFACE

0-5 °C
32-41 °F
ABOVE 10 °C
2 Start the AC system, set it to
produce the lowest temperature
and maximum air blow
INFRARED
THERMOMETER

/ 50 °F

3
POTENTIAL CAUSES Start the
ABOVE 10 °C BELOW 0 °C engine

1
• Lack of improper compressor lubrication
/ 50 °F / 32 °F • Lack of condenser fins / fins deteriorated
• Restricted flow inside the condenser Measure the
POTENTIAL CAUSES FREEZING, • Restricted flow inside the receiver dryer temperature
• Fan not running and compare
• Lack of or improper compressor lubrication POTENTIAL CAUSES received values
• Fan too slow with cases
• Lack of condenser fins / fins deteriorated • Improper refrigerant
• Improper / contaminated refrigerant presented
• Restricted flow inside the condenser • contaminated refrigerant in the poster.
• Too high / low refrigerant level

4
• Restricted flow inside the receiver dryer • Air in the AC loop Wait, until the engine
• Fan not running • Moisture in the AC loop gets to its proper
working temperature
• Fan too slow • Compressor constantly running
• Improper / contaminated refrigerant (improper compressor control)
• Too high / low refrigerant level
Assess temperature ranges

PROPER IMPROPER SPECIAL

TEMPERATURES TEMPERATURES ATTENTION
RANGE RANGE REQUIRED

COMPRESSOR SUCTION LINE

EVAPORATOR - COMPRESSOR
The temperature diagnostics is one of the basic methods to troubleshoot the
air-conditioning system cost-effectively and quickly. Temperature ranges
5-15 °C presented in the material are only for guidance, and are applicable for
41-59 °F AC loop equipped with an expansion valve and where measurements
are taken under an ambient temperature of 20 °C/68 °F

BELOW 5 °C
/ 41 °F
POTENTIAL CAUSES
• Faulty expansion device
• Freezing low pressure hose
• Low refrigerant level TEMPERATURES DIFFERENCE METHOD - CONDENSER’S INLET TEMP. MINUS OUTLET TEMP.
• Leakage in the loop
• Contamination
• Compressor overload (speed)
THE DIFFERENCE MEASURED
IS EQUAL TO / BETWEEN RANGE OF:
CONDENSER CONDENSER
INLET TEMP. OUTLET TEMP.
5-14 °C / 41-58 °F
POOR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE,
HIGH PRESSURE
RECEIVER DRYER
POTENTIAL CAUSES
DIRECTLY ON THE UNIT
• Restricted airflow through
the condenser’s surface – soiled
CONDENSER - RECEIVER DRYER • Bent tubes / fins, corroded / missing fins
• Malfunctioning AC fan / fan clutch
CONDENSER TO RECEIVER DRYER LINE • System overcharge

30-50 °C CONDENSER OUTLET CONDENSER INLET

86-122 °F TO RECEIVER DRYER FROM COMPRESSOR
COMPRESSOR
40-60 °C 60-90 °C 14-19 °C / 58-66 °F
ABOVE 50 °C DIRECTLY ON THE UNIT
104-140 °F 140-194 °F SERPENTINE CONDENSER
/ 122 °F
60-90 °C
POTENTIAL CAUSES 140-194 °F ABOVE 60 °C ABOVE 90 °C 19-28 °C / 66-82 °F
• Lack of lubrication / 140 °F / 194 °F PARALLEL FLOW CONDENSER
• Too much UV dye removing the oil film
• Fans not running ABOVE 90 °C
• Fans not running at all speeds / 194 °F POTENTIAL CAUSES
• Blockage of the condenser inside • Lack of lubrication
• Fins corroded by salt & water
POTENTIAL CAUSES • Too much UV dye removing the oil film 30 - 45 °C / 86-113 °F
• Too much refrigerant in the AC system Fans not running / not running at all speeds
• Contaminated refrigerant • Lack of improper compressor lubrication
• POOR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE,
• Condenser inner Blockage HIGH PRESSURE
• Nitrogen/ Air in the AC system • Lack of condenser fins / fins deteriorated
• Fins corroded by salt & water
• Blocked filter dryer • Restricted flow inside the condenser
• Too much refrigerant in the AC system POTENTIAL CAUSES
• Blocked expansion valve • Restricted flow inside the receiver dryer
• Contaminated refrigerant • Internal clogs or restrictions
• Compressor running all the time • Fan not running
• Nitrogen/ Air in the AC system inside the condenser
• Fan too slow
• Blocked filter dryer • malfunctioning condenser
• Improper / contaminated refrigerant
• Blocked expansion valve
• Too high / low refrigerant level
• Compressor running all the time

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Printed in the EU. January 2017