AC holding a charge but doesn't blow cold.
06-20-2005, 08:19 AM
#1
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Location: London Ontario-My Fleet:86Cab/95Coupe/ 01 Outback H6 VDC/ 01 PathfinderSE/65Beetle(Survivor)
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AC holding a charge but doesn't blow cold.
What's the cheapest way to get it to function? I must retro fit it to R134A where I live as R12 hasn't been available for a few years here. One shop told me that they can do a cheap changeover by recovering the R12, replacing the accumulator, replacing the oil, adding dye and then charging the system with R134. The estimate seemed reasonable at $400 or so.
Any thoughts?
(86 Cab)
Any thoughts?
(86 Cab)
06-20-2005, 10:59 AM
#2
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Unless you have already do it, you'll need to replace the old hoses with barrier hoses. That cost alone could be over $500, depending on where you obtain the hoses. i would estimate that doing the job correctly with new hoses, expansion, etc., will be in the neighborhood of $1000-1200.
If your system is fully charged and no appreciable cooling, the expansion valve may be bad or clogged.
If your system is fully charged and no appreciable cooling, the expansion valve may be bad or clogged.
06-20-2005, 09:56 PM
#4
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YRMV, but I did the receiver/dryer, oil, R134, and left the OE hoss in. Yes, I had to re-charge it every year, but R134 is at least affordable. Then, a garage owning friend suggested a can of Wurth refridgerant. It contains 2 oz R134, dye and a sealer. Since putting it in, the A/C has been cooler and did not have to recharge since (was put in about exactly a year ago. $20.00 solution.
Now does your AC not blow cool enough for Florida, or not cool at all. If the latter, the cheapest way is to pay an independant shop a few $$$ to put the gauges on the system. If it is an expansion valve, plugged condensor/evaporator, etc., the problem will be instantly apparent, as will the solution, regardless of how good or bad the news might be.
I think Spider911 has givien you good info on prices.
If the former--it works but not well enough--the only solution is a better compressor and more condensor, which is not going to be cheap.
Now does your AC not blow cool enough for Florida, or not cool at all. If the latter, the cheapest way is to pay an independant shop a few $$$ to put the gauges on the system. If it is an expansion valve, plugged condensor/evaporator, etc., the problem will be instantly apparent, as will the solution, regardless of how good or bad the news might be.
I think Spider911 has givien you good info on prices.
If the former--it works but not well enough--the only solution is a better compressor and more condensor, which is not going to be cheap.
06-21-2005, 12:03 AM
#5
I suggest leaving any leak-detecting dyes out of the system. If there's a leak, the shop shouldn't charge it. They'll connect a vacuum pump to the system to verify it's tight and to drive off any moisture. Dye takes up volume in the system that should be reserved for refrigerant. If there's a leak, they should use an electronic refrigerant snifer to locate it.
Sherwood
Sherwood
