Need A/C help

[Jhonathan_W]

Hey I need help with the A/C. It doesn't blow cold air anymore. I tried to refill it with one of the recharge kits, but it doesn't help and only goes to the red section of the gauge saying it needs service. Which parts will most likely need checked? I don't know much about the A/C. Thanks for any help. :wavey:

[kristen]

Re: Need A/C help

you can take your condensor out to check for cracks or holes.


when you find out what you need...i have alot of parts lol

[Rob Bell]

Re: Need A/C help

Using your finger, press in the valve a little and see if any gas comes out. If there is still refrigerant in there, then you probably have a leaky seal. The leaky seal is most likely the front seal on the compressor, it's a common problem on any car, especially when they get to be 10 years old. Adding enough refrigerant with seal conditioner will help for a while. If it holds, you might just have to top it off each summer. What year is your car?

If no gas comes out, then you most likely have a leak in a metal part somewhere, like the condenser or evaporator. Those will have to be fixed. Evaporators are likely culprits for leaking, too. If you can get the A/C to run, use the refrigerant with the dye in it, and then place a pan under the car where the condensation comes out, then check the water in the pan for dye. If there is no dye in the water, then look for dye coming from the front of the compressor or somewhere on the condenser. You will probably need a blacklight to do this. I used one of those blacklight lightbulbs from Spencer's. You can get them elsewhere for cheaper though, mine was like $4.

[Jhonathan_W]

Re: Need A/C help

It's a 99 BTW.

Thanks for the tips. I really appreciate it. I'll check it out when I get a chance and update the thread.

[Jhonathan_W]

Re: Need A/C help

Alright I checked the valve and gas came out. What else can I check?

I should also note that the air being blown out is hot.

[Jhonathan_W]

Re: Need A/C help

Well the car did a 360 on me. It took the 134 today! Usually it just shot to the warning meter. It's blowing cold air now. I will def. monitor it.

[kristen]

Re: Need A/C help

fill it up and listen to where it's hissing from....thats where your leak is

[Rob Bell]

Re: Need A/C help

Did you use the 134 w/ the seal conditioner?

[Jhonathan_W]

Re: Need A/C help

Yes I did. There wasn't a hissing yesterday. It seems to run fine now. I need a hot day for the real test.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Need A/C help

If you have a thermometer that you can put into the vents, on a day that is about 70-80 degrees, on high blower speed the outlet temp should be about 60 degrees, and the two lowest settings should give you about 40 degrees. This is on the Max A/C setting with the car in a shady area so it's not super hot inside. If you're not getting that, I would suggest adding more R134A until you get close to those values. The pressure gauge will most likely be on the higher side of the normal range.

[3.4orNothing]

Re: Need A/C help

dont forget to vacuum the system first,,,,otherwise it may cause the engine temp gauge to go up up up ...

[Rob Bell]

Re: Need A/C help

3.4's post reminds me... Since there was still refrigerant in the system, you don't need to vacuum it at this point. Reason is that since refrigerant came out when you pressed the valve, the pressure in the system is higher that atmospheric, so there's no way outside air is going to get in. However, if no gas would have come out, you would need to vacuum the system to purge it of air and moisture. Likewise, if you end up doing a repair that opens the system, it needs to be vacuumed. Air in the system will really screw things up. I don't think it would cause engine overheating, but it will reduce the efficiency of the A/C system and probably damage it.

[landj]

Re: Need A/C help

Just my 2-cents. Make sure the compressor clutch is engaged and the compressor is turning when taking the pressure reading. If it's not, the pressure will read high.

[Jhonathan_W]

Re: Need A/C help

Thanks a lot for the info guys. My wife drove the car out yesterday and loved the new cold air. It was pretty warm and the A/C works like new.

[3.4orNothing]

Re: Need A/C help

enjoy it,,,and yes,,low refrig can cause you run hot very hot.