A/C leakdown

[SinisterZ26]

last summer i had a leak down test done on my a/c system. no problems. but after it started to get warm here in Pa. i tried using it and nothing. i connected a can of 134a and within id say 3 seconds after opening the valve the compressor kicked in. it took the whole can easily.
my question is since it did take the whole can and and the clutch kicked in in a very short period of time. how much more 134a should she require. the air is cold! but i want to put some dye in it. oh another thingy. how do ppl think about sealant in the system

respectfully,
Phil

[IsaacHayes]

It's the compressor that leaks on these cars. It leaks around the housing seam. If it blows cold don't bother adding more because you don't know how much is in there without A/C manifold gauges hooked up to read the pressures. If it lasts all summer great. Next summer it may leak out in 2months... When that happens replace the compressor or have the seals rebuilt. But do not go for junk yard unit as it will leak just like the original. I've been through all this. And when you break the system you need to pull it down to a vacuum for 30mins at least and fill it under a vacuum with the 134a.

[johnnymossville]

^^ Yep, what he says. Without guages your asking for trouble if you overfill it.

[talon2swords]

My compressor on my 99 Lumina is really loud, but still works. I guess I'm going to wait for it to go out...or blow up.