A/C issue, looking for DIY advice

[jimmyrecluse]

The AC turns on, blows strong, but isn't really cold, just mildly cool.

I refilled it myself, because it was low, and I know that it's a gamble and not normally recommended. I've done it before on German cars and it worked out.

Nothing is damaged since the refill, but it still blows medium or barely cool.

Does our AC's just suck or is there something common that I should look at?

 

[shahsmerdis]

The AC turns on, blows strong, but isn't really cold, just mildly cool.

I refilled it myself, because it was low, and I know that it's a gamble and not normally recommended. I've done it before on German cars and it worked out.

Nothing is damaged since the refill, but it still blows medium or barely cool.

Does our AC's just suck or is there something common that I should look at?

apparently our ACs are pretty good. pretty robust, but like all systems it gets old. You might just need a recharge. but without a set of AC gauges, its all a shot in the dark. AC's are pretty hard for DIY'ers .

Maybe someone can point you in the direction of a good shop? I feel there should be in LA.

edit: It seems general consist is to use pure refrigerant. no leak stoppers etc. So if you do decide to do a refill pick something that is as close to pure refrigerant as possible.

 

[jimmyrecluse]

apparently our ACs are pretty good. pretty robust, but like all systems it gets old. You might just need a recharge. but without a set of AC gauges, its all a shot in the dark. AC's are pretty hard for DIY'ers .

Maybe someone can point you in the direction of a good shop? I feel there should be in LA.

edit: It seems general consist is to use pure refrigerant. no leak stoppers etc. So if you do decide to do a refill pick something that is as close to pure refrigerant as possible.

I used the gauge that came with the recharger, says it's full, also I see coolant blowing through the window. Just... air isn't really cool. Maybe just a little, same as before.

 

[mtbtim]

I used the gauge that came with the recharger, says it's full, also I see coolant blowing through the window. Just... air isn't really cool. Maybe just a little, same as before.

Those gauges that come with the refrigerant aren't very accurate. You might have overfilled it.

Here's a page from the FSM to help you diagnose the problem using the site glass on top of the Receiver/Dryer.

 

[jimmyrecluse]

^^^

I figured the gauges would be a shot in the dark as mentioned above so I also used the sight method, the glass. Very few bubbles so I figured I'd be close. AKA have some cooling. But this page you posted above is helpful, in particular steps 4 - 6.

 

[HiLife]

When the ac is on, and blowing air on the high fan setting, can you see bubbes/foam flowing through the glass window on the sight glass on the receiver dryer?
This is just a general way of finding out if the level is low and not an accurate way of measuring freon level.

Edit: I saw you already did this in the above post

 

[TXLX1]

Best bet is to have it discharged and refilled with dye through shop. Does it have manual or electronic temp mix? If electronic, the doors or servos can jamb causing temp issues also.

 

[jimmyrecluse]

Best bet is to have it discharged and refilled with dye through shop. Does it have manual or electronic temp mix? If electronic, the doors or servos can jamb causing temp issues also.

Probably where I'm going after I determine if it looks full through the window.

The dials are manual, knobs and cable.

 

[jimmyrecluse]

The windows reports everything is as should be, actually feels like it might be working okay, not great but seems acceptable.

thanks everyone