A/C Problem with my 97 Protege

[ZZebes]

Hey guys whats up i've got a 97 Protege 1.5 5-speed with about 130k on it. I have been having a problem with my A/C

When i turn on the A/C to 4 it blows cool air at a slow speed and doesnt get any colder, also the motor feels like it lost 80% of it's hp and the damn thing didn't have much to begin with lol. once i get on the freeway for an extended period of time it will get marginally cooler but will not blow any harder. The other problem is that the car will not idle with the A/C on 85% of the time and forget driving in traffic.

there's the problem, here's what i have tried to fix it and found

Attempted Fix: Recharge the A/C
Result: A/C will not take or hold a charge, i put two entire can's of freon in and the line pressure never increased very much and the little increase i did get was negated by the fact that within two hours the pressure had dropped back down to it's origional level. one of the can's of R134 i added had that green UV dye **** and i can not find a leak ANYWHERE unless it's in the car. but even there i can't find a trace but i haven't cracked the A/C box open.

Attempted Fix: Clean the TB and check for vacum leaks
Result: No Change

Attempted Fix: Stand next to the car with a gallon of gas and a lit match yelling "i swear to god i'll do it."
Result: $3.25 wasted burned my finger

[superscort93]

Were you using the glasses and the UV light for finding the leak?

One more thing, you mught want to invest in a Zippo, you won't burn your fingers.

[ZZebes]

Were you using the glasses and the UV light for finding the leak?

One more thing, you mught want to invest in a Zippo, you won't burn your fingers.

yeah i tried with and without the CSI glasses

and i have a zippo but i found the match more effective with my old cars

[superscort93]

yeah i tried with and without the CSI glasses

and i have a zippo but i found the match more effective with my old cars

The Next step I would take would be under the dash...

if that fails, grab the BernzOMatic and thermite.

[Beerizfood]

It sounds like the AC system might be plugged somewhere or have a restriction inside.
Severe lack of power for the engine could be a plugged cat,you can remove the O2 sensor and have a look down inside to see ,if its ok check the fuel pressure,change the fuel filter as well if you havent allready.
How does it idle without the AC on?

[ZZebes]

It sounds like the AC system might be plugged somewhere or have a restriction inside.
Severe lack of power for the engine could be a plugged cat,you can remove the O2 sensor and have a look down inside to see ,if its ok check the fuel pressure,change the fuel filter as well if you havent allready.
How does it idle without the AC on?

i was thinking that because the smaller of the two A/C lines that is supposed to be slightly warmer than the low pressure line is searingly hot to the point it burned my finger when i touched it.

I need to check the cat but i've been to lazy to do it

[superscort93]

i was thinking that because the smaller of the two A/C lines that is supposed to be slightly warmer than the low pressure line is searingly hot to the point it burned my finger when i touched it.

I need to check the cat but i've been to lazy to do it

Did it burn you because of the heat, or was it that cold?

[Beerizfood]

i was thinking that because the smaller of the two A/C lines that is supposed to be slightly warmer than the low pressure line is searingly hot to the point it burned my finger when i touched it.

I need to check the cat but i've been to lazy to do it

I have seen the desicant in the RX dryer come loose and go downstream.
And also the expansion valve plugged can do it,but its in the heater box.
you could try flushing the system with mineral sprirts.

[ZZebes]

Did it burn you because of the heat, or was it that cold?

Heat burn, i have a lovely water blister there now

[superscort93]

Nice, have a high/low pressure gauge, check for proper pressure on both sides?

[ZZebes]

Nice, have a high/low pressure gauge, check for proper pressure on both sides?

all i have is the low pressure that comes with most of the refill kits

[superscort93]

Something may be fed up on your high pressure side, which side is colder? Also what happens when you turn your blower to 3?

[ZZebes]

Something may be fed up on your high pressure side, which side is colder? Also what happens when you turn your blower to 3?

well, the smaller of the 2 lines is hotter than an arizona summer, and the other line (larger) is marginally cooler than air temp

when i turn the blower on to 3 it blows marginally harder than 2 but it's not moving that much air at all, i think i need to replace the blower motor

[superscort93]

It ay no be the blower, it may be the switch.

[ZZebes]

It ay no be the blower, it may be the switch.

i have those retarted manual switches with the cable linkages and i checked those