A/C troubles

98Warhorse · Aug 22, 2011

Hey guys, its been a while since i've logged on and wasnt able to load my old email address so i was forced to make a new account...:wave:

Anyway, I've been having some trouble with my A/C as of late, it cools down just fine at night and on cool days but on hot days it starts off cooling just fine and after about 20 minutes of driving or so i start to get the faint smell of raw gas coming out of the vents and the A/C stops cooling down and just blows warm air.

Has anyone ever had this problem? is it common or rare? :dontknow:

BLCKSTNG96 · Aug 23, 2011

Has it ever been recharged? Sounds like it may be low on refrigerant.when its low the compressor will not cycle so it doesn't burn the pump up.

98Warhorse · Aug 23, 2011

The last time it was recharged was possibly a little over 2 years ago, i had a valve go bad, me and my brother replaced the valve and rechared the refrigerant.

robb15033 · Aug 23, 2011

When a leak is significantly large, you will have lost enough of the refridgerant charge that the compressor will not run at all (low pressure safety). When you have a minor leak and the system is low, the system will run with not so cold air and/or you will hear the compressor cycling on and off when the AC is on and the hood open.
If you do add more refrigerant to the system, you are obligated to at least look for the cause of the leak. Usually fittings, or connections leaking will leave an oily residue at the spot. Anytime any refrigerant at all is needed to be added the leak should be fixed. Refrigerant doesn't go bad or disappear, ever.

g36 monkey · Aug 23, 2011

I thought R134a did just leak out kind of lol. Granted, I never have to fill my car. I know houses don't but I thought cars did.

O well, learn soemthing new every day ;p

robb15033 · Aug 24, 2011

g36 monkey said:
I thought R134a did just leak out kind of lol. Granted, I never have to fill my car. I know houses don't but I thought cars did.

O well, learn soemthing new every day ;p

Nope, a tight system is good to go for life. A systems refrigerant gets contaminated by air occasionally which will turn acidic but that again is because of a leak or a poor job of charging.