Does anyone know how the A/C relief valve works ?

I heard a big "pop" and then saw A/C oil & U/V dye, and I'm trying to determine if its the high-side A/C line or the A/C relief valve on the A/C compressor ?

Is it a use-once valve, that once popped, you have to replace ?

Thanks,
:-) neil

 

like a pop off valve. they reseal when the pressure goes down as far as i can remember. how was the ac cooling before the pop?
check your fans. get a set of gagues and see what is going on pressure wise. they sell a spray to remove the dye as it can be a bitch. brake clean does ok.

 

In general, those are one-time deals. If the pressure gets too high, it pops and vents. Had a buddy with an FC back in the day that charged up the system with too much Hotshot refrigerant and blew that sucker out.

It's like a fuse for the AC system.

Dale

 

It's a crapshoot. Sometimes they reseat properly and don't leak, other times they just keep leaking.

What I'm wondering is:

Why didn't the pressure switch shut down the compressor before the relief valve popped open?

What caused the head pressure to get so high? Fans not running?