a/c not cold
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,231
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
I've done some a/c work but it was mostly remove/replace parts. I always went to a competent shop for the evacuate/recharge since I don't have a good vacuum pump.
Try some refrigerant with a tracer in it to find where your leak is. Remove/replace appropriate parts or tighten connections. Recharge.
Or, take it to a shop for all that if you need to.
That's the order I'd take it in. FWIT...
However, on the other hand, I recall that overcharging can cause the orifice tube to freeze up and the system will cease functioning until it defrosts. The cycle repeats. I would say this might be the problem if there is at least some cold for a while.
Try some refrigerant with a tracer in it to find where your leak is. Remove/replace appropriate parts or tighten connections. Recharge.
Or, take it to a shop for all that if you need to.
That's the order I'd take it in. FWIT...
However, on the other hand, I recall that overcharging can cause the orifice tube to freeze up and the system will cease functioning until it defrosts. The cycle repeats. I would say this might be the problem if there is at least some cold for a while.
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when you say you recharged it, did you add a whole can of refrigerant, or just charge until a kit or a gauge said full? If pressure is built up in the system, the kits that you get at autozone (and even the professional ones) will say charged, when in reality the system is empty. I ran into this problem with my truck, and all i had to do was vent the gas out of the system.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: citrus springs, fl
update: i recharged the a/c with a can that has the uv stuff in it. it took a full can. the a/c ran cold. i couldnt find any traces of the uv, but i did find air(somewhat cold) blowing out. i dont know if this is normal or not, i was hoping someone would check their car for me. i took a pic of the passenger side of the engine where the a/c components are. the part that was leaking looks like the block the hose from where the recharge hookup is with 2 bolts vertically on either side of the hose, almost as you go under the windshield. i dont have a photo resizer, but here is the link...
http://photos.walmart.com/thumbnails...921/t_=6072921
only had the leak when the car was running. this could be normal, but i dont remember it doing that on my 98 camaro.
thanks
josh
http://photos.walmart.com/thumbnails...921/t_=6072921
only had the leak when the car was running. this could be normal, but i dont remember it doing that on my 98 camaro.
thanks
josh
Last edited by josh1107; Apr 13, 2009 at 08:51 PM.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
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From: Massachusetts
A couple of side notes:
-Refrigerant doesn't need recharging over time unless there's a leak. Even after 50 years.
-There are R134a replacements that can get much colder. There are butane/propane mixes that work well (and are no more flammable than R134a), and then there's stuff like ES-12a (which is NOT R12). Some of the replacement options are more resistant to leaking due to larger molecules. Of course, the best thing is to fix the leak first and then consider using this stuff after.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: citrus springs, fl
its by the canister, the hose that comes with the recharge kit will only hook up to one place...
i didnt use a uv light, i was hoping to see it with my bare eyes. i did take it in and they said the compressor and condenser were leaking.
-if i bought the car knowing the ac was broke and they dealer said they fixed it, but really they only charge it and the next day after i took it home it blew hot air, do you think i have any recourse?
i didnt use a uv light, i was hoping to see it with my bare eyes. i did take it in and they said the compressor and condenser were leaking.
-if i bought the car knowing the ac was broke and they dealer said they fixed it, but really they only charge it and the next day after i took it home it blew hot air, do you think i have any recourse?
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
If you bought it from them and they claimed they would (and did) fix it, then they are legally responsible to do so, and will probably budge. If not, you have a court case if you have any proof that they said they'd fix it. Small claims will do it.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
condenser My problem is the same, and my condenser (or was it evaporator?) is bad. you can have the shop use a sniffer to see where the refrigerant is leaking out of, mine was coming straight out of the vents. But I have windows and t-tops, so I rarely use it.
Last edited by The Vex; Apr 23, 2009 at 05:09 PM. Reason: can't remember which
Whaaaaat?? you have windows!? no way.
