Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    devon
    Age
    52
    Posts
    837
    Rep Power
    24

    what is causing the sight glass to go white?



    over the last couple of months i have had a odd reocuring problem that i cannot understand, three times and the only common thing is its always in cold weather cured ref leaks changed driers suitable torr when chargeing with a active
    sight glass on 404 and 134 the refrigerant looks off white, when active when fully charged its clear its a dully off white so much so you can not sea the botom of the sight glass, good quality ref decent driers and if poss evaps had been warmed crank heaters on to hit a suitable torr any ideas something to do with the blends and cold weather



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Somerset
    Age
    69
    Posts
    4,758
    Rep Power
    46

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    You got me there at least Charlie.
    I have not come across that situation either, an interesting post thanks!
    Grizzly

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    england
    Age
    49
    Posts
    3,874
    Rep Power
    46

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    Sounds like mineral oil with hfc refrigerants!
    Mostly found in Oxfordshire, UK :)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    devon
    Age
    52
    Posts
    837
    Rep Power
    24

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    all three clearly marked with either 404a or 134 one c/room fitted aprox 6 years ago by myself never had a comp maintained by us the other two all comps marked up and id plates with oil grades no mineral oil on those two either but i am looking for ideas

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    ISRAEL
    Age
    72
    Posts
    4,266
    Rep Power
    46

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    If by any chance, you have used Chinese refrigerants, expect water in the system, run acidity test to be sure.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    devon
    Age
    52
    Posts
    837
    Rep Power
    24

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    the ref comes out of a large supplier in bristol so i cant sea a issue there thats the 404 and the 134 comes from a different supplier again a main player to

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    8
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    sounds like moisture, you could always have an oil sample tested

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Bolivia
    Posts
    270
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    Supposing your system is clean: The white may come from very fine droplets formed by oil+liquid refrigerant mixture.

    Your oil or system was probably charged with a mixture of oils, with different viscosities or with foaming and anti-foaming agents.

    Foaming agents are used to reduce noise from compressors.

    Anti-foaming agents improve lubrication.

    Manufacturers tend not to give much information on this.

    Read this:
    http://www.nucalgon.com/assets/prodlit/3-68.pdf

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    pakistan
    Age
    38
    Posts
    2
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    First u have to flush Condenser & evaporator With nitrogen with small amoount of gasoline then vaccum it properly. did u do that

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    devon
    Age
    52
    Posts
    837
    Rep Power
    24

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    one was a new system and the others i have history with there is no chance of mixture of oils since the ambients have warmed up i have not seen this problem again some how it must be related to the colder ambient when chargeing none of the systems had crank heaters?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    devon
    Age
    52
    Posts
    837
    Rep Power
    24

    Re: what is causing the sight glass to go white?

    should of said one system did not have a crank heater others had

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •