I had my A/C compressor replaced at the end of last summer. Now when it'* on...at times...the compressor will cut out and the air flow gets warm etc.... When I quickly "floor" the accelerator for a moment....it kicks back in and works fine for various amounts of time before it kicks out again.......ANY ideas?

BTW.....Olds 98 w/ climate control.

Classic sign that you're low on freon.

You most likely have a slow leak somewhere. There'* a low pressure switch in the A/C system that will not allow the compressor to run continuosly, or at all, if the refrigerant level is low. You need to find the leak, repair it, and recharge the system.

Hi,

I'm having an intermittent issue as well. The car will get cold but only after a really long time (30 minutes or so).

I hooked up my freon meter to it and noticed something odd. The meter was going from the blue area (good) into the green area (bad) and back. Corresponding to that fluctuation I could hear an audible clicking that I traced to a pulley (for lack of the right word) that was engaging and then disengaging. When it engaged, the freon level would decrease, when it disengaged the level would increase.

Here'* the "pulley" I'm talking about.



I also took a small video (small in length, large in size about 5 MB). Click this link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~bdehrchat/ac.avi

Is that my compressor? Is this indicative of a leak or something else? Any help is of course appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

That pulley looks like your A/C compressor. Seems like you may also have the classic slightly low on freon situation.

What I don't get though is that when the compressor isn't running, it'* on the high end of the scale. I guess it'* pretty cheap to throw a few cans in and see if it helps. If it does turn out to be a freon leak, what'* the best way to trace them?

Thanks

Bill

Best way to trace a freon leak is to bring it to a professional. They put dye into the system and use a special light to see the dye seeping out.

Well, that was it as far as the compressor goes. I put 2 cans in (I can tell I need another can). I also put a can of this stop leak in. it says that it seals o-ring leaks and has a red dye to expose more serious leaks. So far, no dye sighting and the ac is blowing cold. Also, the compressor is running all the time now. I'll post back with my opinions about the Stop Leak after I'm able to see if it does either stop the leak or help me find it.



Bill

Whoaaaa don't put in too much. It doesn't work better with too much.

On your car ...prolly on the strut tower near the fitting you hooked up to is a sticker that says how much freon should be in the system total. You were low..not out. Then figure out how much stuff you put in. You are probably all set at the current level.

Exactly. Too much is just as bad as not enough. You should use a set of guages when charging the system. Most of the DIY kits come with guage. Throw one on it to see where you stand.

I am using a gauge and based on how much it increased from can one to can 2, I'm certain it can take another and stay in the OK range.

The sticker says it takes 2.2 lbs. I've put in 20 oz. so far. Another can is still below that. In any case, after driving it, I'm happy with how it'* cooling so I'll likely hold off on the extra can for now. Afterall, if it'* just leaking out, why waste another. :>)

Anyway, thanks for looking out for me. I would never do this without a gauge.

Bill