A/C question
03-31-2008, 12:25 PM
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A/C question
i got my A/c fixed last summer at the bank-breaking price of $371, and i recently tried it to discover that it doesn't work (again). of course i lost the reciept. i found a cheap re-charge kit on JCW, but i'm afraid that my system will just leak the r-134 everywhere, leaking my $50 out into the world. i don't want to take it back to the shop that botched it in the first place; i'm actually quite against taking it to a shop at all. any advice?
03-31-2008, 01:19 PM
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Someone will likely move this to Mechanical for you so you get better exposure.
I'm not an A/C expert, but you have a leak somewhere that must be chased down and fixed up first. Likely an o-ring has let go, and I think O-ring seal kits are available.
I would try running a dye through the system first to see if that will pin point it. Doesn't sound like a major problem has developed, just that the charge you had has leaked out.
Cheers,
Adam
I'm not an A/C expert, but you have a leak somewhere that must be chased down and fixed up first. Likely an o-ring has let go, and I think O-ring seal kits are available.
I would try running a dye through the system first to see if that will pin point it. Doesn't sound like a major problem has developed, just that the charge you had has leaked out.
Cheers,
Adam
03-31-2008, 01:55 PM
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Aslo, what exactly "doesn't work" (again). Is the compressor cycling? Does the upper metal line get cold?
03-31-2008, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by lash
Nick, what did they do last year for your $371?
03-31-2008, 03:17 PM
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OK Nick, so you have some diagnostic work to do before you can begin.
First, you need to either borrow a set of gauges from someone or go to the autoparts store and buy a $20+ can of R134a refrigerant with dye and one of those cheapo gauges that come with the better ones. In otherwords, you need to find out if your system has any charge at all in it.
Without a proper charge, your compressor won't even try to cycle.
Keep in mind that a used compressor usually carries no warranty at all and for good reason. I try not to even by rebuilt A/C compressors anymore, because my experience has been that 2 out of 3 will fail in the first month or so.
First, you need to either borrow a set of gauges from someone or go to the autoparts store and buy a $20+ can of R134a refrigerant with dye and one of those cheapo gauges that come with the better ones. In otherwords, you need to find out if your system has any charge at all in it.
Without a proper charge, your compressor won't even try to cycle.
Keep in mind that a used compressor usually carries no warranty at all and for good reason. I try not to even by rebuilt A/C compressors anymore, because my experience has been that 2 out of 3 will fail in the first month or so.
03-31-2008, 05:52 PM
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IIRC, the fill kit on JCW said that they couldn't sell to wisconsin, so maybe doing it yourself is illegal where i live. I'll go to the local bumper to bumper tomorrow that i always go to, but my hopes aren't high.
03-31-2008, 07:35 PM
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You were ripped off a bit...
All of the items they dealt with should not have cost that much in my mind...
Did they replace the seals or anything other than what you listed?
I would have thought at the very least with the issues you were having the shop would have installed a dye that could be seen with a Blacklight if there is or was a leak...
When they replaced the compressor they should have replaced the seals and the Orifice filter and possible the receiver drier.. Then pumped the system down and recharge with a dye( leak detector ) just in case...
This is what the dealership did when my engine was replaced last year...
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All of the items they dealt with should not have cost that much in my mind...
Did they replace the seals or anything other than what you listed?
I would have thought at the very least with the issues you were having the shop would have installed a dye that could be seen with a Blacklight if there is or was a leak...
When they replaced the compressor they should have replaced the seals and the Orifice filter and possible the receiver drier.. Then pumped the system down and recharge with a dye( leak detector ) just in case...
This is what the dealership did when my engine was replaced last year...
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