Thread: HyChill in 2.7 or 3.0

The system is now charged with 600g of R134a and 30ml of oil added but the compressor is not producing any pressure. Yesterday afternoon I had a last try with the Hychil with the same result, so it appears that the new valve has gone the way of the original and that the R134a shouldn't have been installed. Furthermore we couldn't hear the=is valve clicking when 12V was applied while the engine wasn't running (the original was easily heard), yet a small spark was produced when touching the power wire on and off and the coil still has its original 12 ohms resistance. Hence the valve's internals are considered stuck. I'll have a few more attempts to get it to work then get the person back to recover the R134a so that the valve can again be replaced.

The original filter/dryer indeed had a very blocked gauze with small speckles indicating that the original compressor was failing, but not surprising after 300K kms. There was a slight trace of similar grey material on the inlet gauze on the original valve.

The system held good vacuum prior to installing the R134a.

It was suggested that a genuine Sanden valve be fitted next time, but from LR is nearly $300 compared to $155 for the Jayair from a local a/c parts outlet. However is the Jayair version likely to be any better than a $30 + $10 frt one from AliEpress, noting that the AliExpress one has R134a on its label?

I'm inclined to buy the ALiExpress one then remove the compressor when the valve arrives, even though the current one's failure could be covered by warranty.

Can a compressor be damaged by very high low-side pressure? A blurry picture of the gauges when the dryer was blocked shows the low side pressure needle more than 3/4 the way round the dial.

I recall seeing a picture or drawing of reed valves inside a compressor and wondered if they are susceptible to damage or if anything else can be damaged such that the compressor can only occasionally be made to work? However such damage wouldn't seem to explain why a new valve works whilst the engine is idling but not when revs are increased.

The a/c mechanic said today that he would replace the complete compressor rather than just replace the valve, but there's a big difference in cost and his work is almost entirely with fixed capacity compressors as fitted to heavy equipment.