"Are these pressures OK for R22 with ambient air temperature of 88 degrees F?"

Bighank,

The only valid measure of charge at this point is to measure sub-cooling. Google it - there are good explanations for how it's done.

Once you have done that, If the charge is low, find the leak.

As pointed out by the folks at the other forum, the compressor is bad. the charge numbers you have are all wrong. You may have to buy a new compressor or new condenser. Call a tech...Good luck.

"the charge numbers you have are all wrong. You may have to buy a new compressor."

I secound the motion and asking on forums is not going to reveal some silver bullet to cure it. Were you an apprebtice tech stumped by the odd combo of pressures,one of the old hands might give you things to test for ( such as obstruction or wacked valve) . Under the circumstances,it would be far to cumberson to guide you,call a tech and let him find what's going on.

Was a bad start/run capacitor which failed after the system was running for 2 days last week.
As for why I am posting in a forum; KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
I have learned AFTER THE FACT some facts which if I had the prior knowledge would have made my cause of action much different. I do not like to be bamboozled or lied to about something which I am not familiar with. Had to fight with a contractor charging $1800 for a $300 EVAPORATOR COIL.
Coil supplied was a cheaper piston type and not a TXV which it replaced. The real difference in price for a piston vs TXV coil was less than $100. While I might not be a HVAC tech I have worked on AC systems for over 30 years. Don't appreciate comments which are not helpful but demeaning in nature. Think twice before you supply criticism and not information.
Thanks for the informative comments. When I post in a forum to try and help someone I try to be factual.

The high/low PSIs (97/140) is not normal. It should be some where around 70/220 for a normal R22 system. The narrow span indicates a weak compressor. not sure how old the unit is, and because compressor is a sealed device, there is not much you can do. In most cases, you will have to purchase a new compressor as mentioned by other posters.

After replacing capacitor and running compressor for 10 minutes the high system pressure was 250 PSI and the low pressure was 75 PSI. Can't explain the pressures measured a few days ago as if the compressor was not running I would expect both high and low pressures to be low and equal. System ran for about 10 hours yesterday and did cool the house. Outside temp was only in the low 80s so system was not stressed. High side piping was just warm not hot and the low side was cool not cold. The evaporator coil was cold. Next week ambient temps should be in the 90s so the system should get a good test.

On a 10 or 12-SEER condenser; the head pressure is too high with only low 80's outdoor temp.

Head pressure with a light indoor heat-load shouldn't be over 100ðF or no more than 200-psig; or about a 17ðF rise over outdoor temp.