A/C problem

alexburke21 · Oct 20, 2003

I tried doing a search, couldn't quite find my problem.

When I bought my car 8 months ago the AC worked decently, after a few months it blew warmer and warmer air, then the compressor would no longer engage. I hard-wired the compressor to the battery and it worked, just blew out hot air, though. My shop instructor said it needed recharged. When I recharged, the machine showed there was no leaks with a vacuum test, but showed there was barely any R-134A in there. So I charged it and it worked great... for a month. It got hotter again, an now it no longer engages...

To me it sounds like there is a leak. Anyone know where leaks might form? The fins on the bottom 2 inches of my condesor are pretty bent outta shape, i wonder if that affects the compressor?

Any ideas would be helpful, I'm moving to Phoenix soon and I "might" want AC.

Thanks

Slayer2003 · Oct 20, 2003

.....just a wild guess here....but it may be the culprit....

im wondering if you have a hairline crack in a line somewhere, that is expanding the aluminum only when it warms up? could be the tinyest of pin pricks, but when it warms up a little, it would let the R-134a out un-noticeable. if it IS this, your gonna have to go through every AC line you got.

hope this helps

alexburke21 · Oct 20, 2003

Crap! Well, thanks anyway. Do you know if I could possibly see or feel such a crack or would I have to replace every line?

niky · Oct 20, 2003

probably every line... but if your instincts say condenser, you could try that first... no way you can feel it, but you might luck out and the crack won't be at a joint and you'll be able to see it... if you got it with no leaks on the machine, though... I wouldn't bet on it...

alexburke21 · Oct 20, 2003

yeah, it held a steady vacuum for 30 minutes, usually meaning there is no leaks? But if they happen only when it is warm, who knows?

azkicker0027 · Oct 21, 2003

wait up, how do you engage the compressor?? did you directly give the clutch power just to check??? or it's still through the oem wiring. also look around for oil from the a/c system, that should also pinpoint the leak. also check the operating pressures and see where they are, evacuating and recharging the system alone cannot isolate any leaks, unless it's a big one. and worse case, i'd try some transluscent dye and blacklight.

Ajaxn26 · Oct 21, 2003

check at the valves where you put the r134 in at !

alexburke21 · Oct 21, 2003

Yeah, I gave the compressor direct power from the battery to test it. The relay also checked good. I think the compressor just shuts off if there is no refrigerant so it wont overheat.

A/C problem

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