A/C condensor issue...??

sounds like it's low on freon.

 

I agree with morr2fab... Try adding more freon little by little watching gauges... 12psi on low-side is too low, should be around 30 psi.

 

I know condensers dont go bad unless you put a hole in them. All they do is condense gas into liquid by cooling it. You could possibly have to much oil in the system, but I dont know of a way to check it. If you had anything foreign in the system it would never make it through the expansion valve. I'm just throwing things out there. Could be other things as well. It's best to have someone who "Knows" auto ac systems look at it, Not just some mechanic.

 

Like Morr2fab said, there really isn't much to a condenser. There could be a line collapsing internally between the compressor and condenser. Usually anywhere there is a restriction great enough to effect the system, there is also a temperature change because there is also a pressure change. Check all the lines as the system is running for any great temp changes along the line. If you find a spot, internally there is a restriction. 134 is a bit forgiving with overcharges, but not as much with under charge. There are specific pressures the 134 should be at compared to ambient air temps. To make sure the charge is somewhat in the ball park, shut the truck down and just let it sit for a few hours. Check the a/c pressures, and check the ambient air temp.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/r134apresstempconv.html
I found this website. You can plug in the air temp and it will calculate what the a/c pressure should be at without the truck running. There is also a handy chart there too.

 

I've gone through this a few times.

Yes it could be low freon but there is another issue you need to address first - why is there gunk in the orifice tube?

If you had any gunk or garbage in the orifice tube, you should do a complete wet flush of the entire system. some mechanics will blow out the system or run freon through it with an open end to flush it but it needs to have a good flush to get the crud out. Your compressor may be the source where the junk is coming from so, get ready to replace it.

 

Ok, you posted right before I did. You definitely have metal contamination in your system. You are looking at a totally system flush. You will need to replace the condenser, compressor, orifice tube and accumulator and perform a complete system flush on the other components. This is the only way to completely get everything cleaned out. Replacing one piece here and there will only continue to allow the contamination to spread through-out the system. The flush and repairs need to be done by a professional who know what he is doing, using the proper chemicals, or repeat failure will happen. Unfortunately this is expensive. Any time a compressor is replace for any reason, the accumulator or receiver drier should always be cut open and check for any metal. This prevents repeat problems like this. Complete system flush is also the only way to determine the correct amount refrigerant oil is put back into the system. Too much or too little oil will also cause havoc.