General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Help... another A/C issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 11:55 PM
  #1  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default Help... another A/C issue

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
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
samson_420's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 0
From: Narnia
Default

Look through the other million AC threads in here. . . I think every possible condition has been covered twice.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 03:50 PM
  #3  
fleetmgr's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 05:03 PM
  #4  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 07:50 PM
  #5  
senicalj4579's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 08:01 PM
  #6  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 08:39 PM
  #7  
fleetmgr's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 09:14 PM
  #8  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

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.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 09:38 PM
  #9  
senicalj4579's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

Originally Posted by 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.

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?
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 09:54 PM
  #10  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 10:16 PM
  #11  
senicalj4579's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 10:32 PM
  #12  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

I know auto zone has gauges i can use, ill ask about the pump when i go there tomorrow.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 06:10 PM
  #13  
spicy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 06:38 PM
  #14  
senicalj4579's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

do you know for sure that the compressor is running?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE