spicy

iTrader: (1)

My A/C blows cool air but not as cold as it should be and the heater works fine. My Haynes repair manual says to check the two lines that run to the evaporator and that the receiver/drier line (larger and on top of the smaller line) should be cold to the touch and the smaller line should be warm. Well when i went to check it today the smaller bottom line is cold and the top big one is warm, is this correct and my manual is wrong. Or is there someway the pumps or piping got reversed (i bought the car used)? Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Brian

samson_420

iTrader: (1)

Look through the other million AC threads in here. . . I think every possible condition has been covered twice.

fleetmgr

Doubt they are reversed. Did you check them with the engine running and the A/C on? However, feeling these pipes won't tell you much. Take the car in to someone that has a clue about A/C.

spicy

iTrader: (1)

yes the car was running when i checked, right now im trying to verify which line is supposed to be cold so i can go from there. I know i read a post awhile ago that stated which one but i have been unable to find it. Ill just keep searching for now.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

When you say it blows but not as cold as it should be what do you mean? It was colder a prior time? If so how long ago?
theres no way the pipes got reversed.

spicy

iTrader: (1)

I bought the car used so i dont know how cold it used to get but i know for sure that it should be colder than it is. Its kind of like turning on a ceiling fan in your house, doesnt exactly blow cold air but feels cooler.

So is the smaller diameter pipe supposed to get cold or the larger one? The small one gets really cold to the touch and gets some condensation build up. If this is normal ill just check the freon pressure and go from there. I just want to make sure im not missing something before i start messing with it.

fleetmgr

the larger pipe should be cold(er), but if you're short of refrigerant it may not be. The small one is the liquid refrigerant line going from the condenser to the evaporator.

Sounds like you have a refrigerant leak, and need to find and repair that in addition to having in charged.

spicy

iTrader: (1)

Appreciate the input. I was messing with it today and could feel some air being blown out from some where closer to the firewall but i burnt my hand on something and called it quits for the night.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

Yes this is right.

But first hes gotta find out if he really has a leak.

spicy,are you gonna do everything yourself or are you gonna pay someone?

spicy

iTrader: (1)

Im going to try to do everything myself or at least trouble shoot it until i know for sure what is going on with the a/c. Once i figure that out i should be able to get a rough estimate from a repair shop. My plan is to go to auto zone tomorrow and recharge the system with dye so any leaks should be easier to spot.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

I just did my civic last week. Had to change the compressor,hook up my vac pump to pull a vacume,saw I had no leaks,and charged her up.

Do you have r134a gauges and Vac pump? If not maybe you can borrow from someone or rent them.

spicy

iTrader: (1)

I know auto zone has gauges i can use, ill ask about the pump when i go there tomorrow.

spicy

iTrader: (1)

Well, low side pressure is good at 40psi @ 70 degrees. I guess ill check high side pressure and do some more searching on what causes the problem I have. If anyone has advice or experience please chime in.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

do you know for sure that the compressor is running?