A/C inspection info

[jaycal]

All functions (controls/compressor) appear to work, does not cool air at all. PO said it needed recharged. Is there some checks a semi mechanically inclined owner can do wit little to no A/C knowledge. Leak checks/recharge.

Recommendations/manuals?

Thanks
J

 

[Rifleman]

Pick up a can of refill that contains the UV dye. Run it through and go over the entire system with a UV (black) light to locate any leaks. Once any leaks are found you can purchase your own replacement parts and take to the AC shop to have installed and get it professionally vacuumed and filled in proper proportion.

Once the pressure is gone from the system, the refrigerant has been replaced by normal air. Normal air has moisture which can cause damage to the system if you simply refill it with the refill cans after the repair is made. Also the refill cans come with the proper amount of lubricant for what refrigerant is in the can. When your refrigerant escaped the system, the lubricant was left in the system, so simply refilling the system will create a situation of too much lubricant, not leaving room for the proper amount of refrigerant.

Point is, identifying the leaks and purchasing the repair parts is really as far as you want to take it. Let a qualified AC center do the final work and fill as they will have the vacuum system to extract your excess lubricant and all moisture from the system. It will work properly longer if it is done properly. An AC system should honestly never need servicing. Once service is needed, parts are too. The only way the system gets low on refrigerant is if there is a leak. The stop leak stuff you put in the system is junk and can potentially destroy the system, beware.

 

[4x4junkie]

The UV dye is a good suggestion. You also can often pinpoint leaks by the oily residue around the site of the leak (often where the rubber hoses are crimped into the metal ends, around the various fittings, or the compressor seals).

As for the oil, it does tend to leak out with the refrigerant, it probably depends on how big the leak is (a slow leak, it seems to be carried out with it, a fast leak might leave more oil in the system).
I finally just replaced an A/C hose on my Ranger that had been leaking reeaal slow for a little over a year now, there was very little oil left in the system (fortunately it didn't end up running dry though).
It's also normal for refrigerant to very slowly permeate through the rubber seals & hoses. Having to top it off on an otherwise properly-working system after say, 10 years or so wouldn't be abnormal. If the system is completely out though, then that would point to a leak.


Pick up a copy of the Haynes Automotive Air Conditioning manual at your local auto parts store. Quite a bit of decent info in there.

Hope that helps.