pitmanr200

We acually had some good weather today around 70 and I got to try out my a/c on my new 98 gs400 i bought this weekend. it just blows outside air so i popped hood and saw that the compressor clutch wasnt engaging. Im thinking first thing is out of freon or what ever its called know. If anybody has any suggestions on where to start on this let me know. Im thinking try to put a can of freon in it and see what happens. hope there isnt a leak. Let me know what you all think. I dont want to take lexus if i dont have to.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

If the clutch isn't engaging, then that's your problem. Freon has nothing to do with it. Adding more will hurt if the system already has enough. Turn on the engine and push the AC button. Do you hear/feel anything being engaged?

pitmanr200

no, but i pushed high pass valve and nothing came out. so its out of freon right? I had a ford explorer that did this same thing would not engage unless i had freon in it. once i put freon in it is worked perfectly untill it all leaked out again. I called lexus service and they said that without freon a/c clutch wont engage.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I guess you can try it then. Hopefully that's the case. That way, you wouldn't have to rebuild the AC clutch assembly.

HOWEVER, since you have no freon, then you have a leak somewhere. Freon does not really get used up at all. Unless someone let it out before, you'll want to find if you have any leaks.

pitmanr200

i know. i figure its got a leak. and that is a pain to figure out. does anybody know where you fill it at. there is a port down close to the compressor and there is a port in front of the radiator that is marked with an H. I would think that it was the one by the compressor. Not the H one.

cxp2001

iTrader: (1)

You should charge it from the low pressure end (the side with the L on the cap).

DoWnAqT

just pay the 100 bucks and have someone charge it and find the leak....if you charge and it keeps leaking out....youll be hurting the ozone layer due to the toxic crap in it. Yes it is the R134 freon which is more enviroment friendly, but still needs to be done properly. its also dangerous if you dont know what your doing. from reading your post. it sounds like you shouldnt be doing it....Im sure you have an a/c shop around you that will be able to look at it. You could have had a rock **** up the condensor while driving...therefore if you charge it, it will come right back out. or it could be as simple of an o-ring that is cheaper than a pack of gum. (not including labor) good luck

pitmanr200

i have recharged several systems, so i know a little about it. just wasnt sure which one was the high pass. why would I pay 100 bucks when i have the r134 at the house and the meter. and after a little searching I see i was correct of which one it was. its the one near the compressor.

sockfocks

iTrader: (1)

Did you get it working?

pitmanr200

no. i tried to charge and clutch never would engage. the can was old and when i unhooked it and sprayed it not much would come out. It may be bad. I will try and buy another can or may just take it to jiffy lube and let them do it.