A Little A/C help please

jeepbme

jeepbme

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Location
Hickory
97 Cherokee 4.0 135k miles.

A/C quit blowing cold, compressor wouldn't cycle or cut on because it was low or out of R134a.

Brought a can and added it myself with the engine and a/c on as suppose to. Compressor comes on about half way through the fill and was cold . Filled to proper amount, worked good and cold until the next day.
Same prob as before...
Once again same procedure this time with dye additive included and black light at night and
ran for 15 minutes as indicated on can. Traced all the lines etc with a no signs of leakage. Only visable signs of tracer were on the low side filler were I had added it.
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QUESTIONS:
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Where to go from here? It has worked fine for the last 2 years?
Buy a junk yard compressor and hope for the best?

Can I unistall and reinstall a compressor and refill like before or will the system be contaminated since the lines had been detached?

Suppose to be in the 90's tomorrow, I'm tired of sweatin it out at the stop lights. Let me know.
Thanks in advance.
 
had this problem before, sometimes had to add extra die, and maintain pressure to find, never a fun thing, could take several times, check where the fittings are crimped to the rubber lines, are there any oily buildups on the lines, sometimes that shows up, and thats usually the leak.
 
what or where was your leak?

I thought it would be around the low pressure switch I had replaced last summer but no dye showed around it either
 
the dye was premixed, I figured a 12oz can of premixed along with another 18oz can of r134 with oil would be plenty.

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too much refridgerant will cause the compressor not to cycle. spend some cash and let a shop vacuum down the system and then recharge it. its less than 100-125 bucks usually for 134a. the better vaccuum you get the colder it will get.

The home charge kits are useless and end up creating problems.
 
greg slade said:
too much refridgerant will cause the compressor not to cycle. spend some cash and let a shop vacuum down the system and then recharge it. its less than 100-125 bucks usually for 134a. the better vaccuum you get the colder it will get.
The home charge kits are useless and end up creating problems.
Click to expand...
X2 also have them check you high & low pressure switches unless it is running a binary switch then have that checked
 
If you did in fact put in the correct amount, then your leak would be large (leaked out in one day) and if the dye had a chance to cylce through the system it should be very evident. Check you drain for the evaporator, evaps are the hardest to see leaking usually dye will be under car and on the drain it leaks out with the condensation so the dye is diluted. when you break open the case it will be very evident.

I agree with greg though have some one drag the system down to see how much is actually in there, then they can run a solid vacuum on it, and then have them load it up with dye, and recharge to proper level. We charge an hour $64, plus $10 for dye, and less than $20 for refrigerant depends on how much we recovered and how much was added, so your looking at less than a $100.
 
jeepbme said:
I figured a 12oz can of premixed along with another 18oz can of r134 with oil would be plenty.
Click to expand...

12oz + 18oz ? thats 30 oz ( almost 2lbs ) considering your system takes 20oz, I'd say ya, yer over full, IF in fact it took all that in ( doubtful if the system wasn't under 30" of vacuum to begin with)

http://www.motor.com/PDFs/QLG2003_AC_capacities.pdf

That being the case, you should still have the system drawn down and rechagred properly. If for nothing else to verifiy that there isn't a seal or other leak ( the shrader valves are a good leak source, and don't always show this as few folks clean them off AFTER a dye application)
 
As an aside, replacing those stupid hoses costs more than half the parts on the AC.
(thanks for the help the other day, and no I haven't fixed it yet.)
The hose with the high pressure from the dealer was quoted at 190$ for my 98 TJ 4.0.
According to them it was the same hose for both high and low, which I don't believe since, well they aren't.
So I didn't order it.
 
hscrugby said:
As an aside, replacing those stupid hoses costs more than half the parts on the AC.
(thanks for the help the other day, and no I haven't fixed it yet.)
The hose with the high pressure from the dealer was quoted at 190$ for my 98 TJ 4.0.
According to them it was the same hose for both high and low, which I don't believe since, well they aren't.
So I didn't order it.
Click to expand...
did they at least offer you a reach around?
 
Jeff B said:
did they at least offer you a reach around?
Click to expand...
They weren't even willing to use lube?:flipoff2:

You know the sad thing, that's about the fourth time today that quote has been mentioned, and been VERY pertinent. (3 of them dealing with HVAC type things)
I'm noticing a trend.

Oh yea, getting this back on topic.
Are you sure it's not the evaporator leaking? You might be able to see some of the dye dripping out the "weep" hole where the condensation comes out if it is.
Or you might need one of the stupid sniffers in your vents to "sniff" for the chemical.
 
^^^^ I have a sniffer for a/c leaks if you want to come by & try it
 
The reality of it is, IF you have the means and the ability, you can BUY all the tools you need to do the repair AND the parts for what most shops will charge you to do what they consider a proper repair.

AC vac pump and gauge set can be had for $220 As a kit.

leak detectors can be had for $150ish range.

It's a matter of knowing where to shop and who to talk too.

The tool trucks ain't the place.
 
greg slade said:
The good news is if you buy from them the tool will generally last forever, the bad news is so does the debt.
Click to expand...

You of all people should know you can get the same tools MUCH cheaper elsewhere, the differance being, you have to pay up front, while yeah, you have to crack it all at one time, is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than spreading it out.

THe internet is a wonderful place !

www.thetoolwarehouse.net shop and compare, this being just one place There are others
 
Blkvoodoo said:
You of all people should know you can get the same tools MUCH cheaper elsewhere, the differance being, you have to pay up front, while yeah, you have to crack it all at one time, is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than spreading it out.

THe internet is a wonderful place !

www.thetoolwarehouse.net shop and compare, this being just one place There are others
Click to expand...

I thought you were talking about http://www.harborfreight.com/
I mean they have nothing but high quality :D

I do buy all my "in jeep" tools from them?
I mean, I'd be REALLLL PISSED if I had some snap-on, or even craftsman tools stolen, lost, ended up with someone else at UNF. (Yea, I lost a whole socket set that way. Oh well)
The cheapo HF ones? I can just wait for a sale and pick up another set. :p

But for the "real" specialty tools, (vacuum pump, transmission jack, etc) it's almost easier to just find someone with them? Pick up one or two random things, and lend those out to people. And it all comes around in the end?
 
hscrugby said:
I thought you were talking about http://www.harborfreight.com/
Click to expand...
Harbor Frieght, you get what you pay for, cheap is as cheap does.
I mean, I'd be REALLLL PISSED if I had some snap-on, or even craftsman tools stolen, lost, ended up with someone else at UNF. (Yea, I lost a whole socket set that way. Oh well)
Click to expand...
Loosing is quit different than STOLEN, had both happen, I was much more pissed off when my 'chit was stolen ( too the tune of about $3600 lost 2 years ago) Let me catch somone in my shit again.
But for the "real" specialty tools, (vacuum pump, transmission jack, etc) it's almost easier to just find someone with them? Pick up one or two random things, and lend those out to people. And it all comes around in the end?
Click to expand...
You notice I didn't offer to LOAN the tools, but the time and services. Too much $$$ invested in tools to loan out.
I'm a nice guy, but nice only goes so far. If I know someone, thats a little different, but there has to be history, (in some cases extensive) before I'll loan out a tool of any real expense. ( loan what you can afford to loose)

I think that is pretty much the way it works in most places.
 
A good shop that does AC work is worth it's weight in gold, no ICE! I've been using Walt's on Main St for years for exhaust/radiator or AC work. I had my system evacuated/vacuumed, oiled and recharged for ~$47 w/tax. I accidentally poked a hole in my condensor, and bought a replacement along with the dryer at an online shop for less than 1/3 of what dealer wanted, and about half what the parts stores charge.


Point is, somethings you can do cheaply yourself, other things you need to find a RELIABLE and well priced shop to do the work since they have the training and big$$ tools.
 
Chris_M said:
A good shop that does AC work is worth it's weight in gold, no ICE! I've been using Walt's on Main St
Click to expand...


i know Walt's on Main St. might be world-renowned, but your talkin to Hickory folk bound to Charlotte for all the wrong reasons, so im not too familiar with the shops around here or on Main St. so any specifics on shops in or around Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, or Salisbury would be appreciated.

In the meantime...ill go load up on the k-y and get ready for the abuse ;)
 
Blkvoodoo said:
You of all people should know you can get the same tools MUCH cheaper elsewhere,
Click to expand...

What he means is I am a tight ass and I love my high dollar tools. (see tool junky)
hscrugby said:
I do buy all my "in jeep" tools from them?
I mean, I'd be REALLLL PISSED if I had some snap-on, or even craftsman tools stolen, lost, ended up with someone else at UNF.
Click to expand...

That happened to me recently, I left some nice snap on tools all over Daniel.:shaking:
hscrugby said:
But for the "real" specialty tools, (vacuum pump, transmission jack, etc) it's almost easier to just find someone with them? Pick up one or two random things, and lend those out to people. And it all comes around in the end?
Click to expand...

The general rule of thumb with tools is, if you need it twice its time to buy it.

Blkvoodoo said:
You notice I didn't offer to LOAN the tools, but the time and services. Too much $$$ invested in tools to loan out.
I'm a nice guy, but nice only goes so far. If I know someone, thats a little different, but there has to be history, (in some cases extensive) before I'll loan out a tool of any real expense. ( loan what you can afford to loose)
I think that is pretty much the way it works in most places.
Click to expand...

X2:stupid:
Chris_M said:
Point is, somethings you can do cheaply yourself, other things you need to find a RELIABLE and well priced shop to do the work since they have the training and big$$ tools.
Click to expand...

I tell my customers , when you have a heart problem you see a heart surgeon. Not a dentist.
 
jeepbme said:
i know Walt's on Main St. might be world-renowned, but your talkin to Hickory folk bound to Charlotte for all the wrong reasons, so im not too familiar with the shops around here or on Main St. so any specifics on shops in or around Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, or Salisbury would be appreciated.

In the meantime...ill go load up on the k-y and get ready for the abuse ;)
Click to expand...

Should have been more specific: Lexington, NC!! :flipoff2:

And it's not that far from the north charlotte area, 30-45 min. it takes me that long to get there from Winston sometimes. But still worth the drive. OH, and they are not open on the weekends
 
Van's the man @ Walts.
It was the evaporator
They put a sniffer on it and then later showed me the big rust hole in the bottom of it.

Many thanks all
 
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