air conditioning

Funny you should ask. Same thing happened to my daughter's Imprezza. Broken belt.

Hope your's is as easy a fix.

My wife's '03 OBW had to have the suction and discharge hoses replaced (under warranty) due to refrigerant leakage.

Carl

Is the compressor engaging? If it isn't, and the belt isn't broken as has been suggested, there is probably a refrigerant leak. If the system pressure drops below a predetermined point, a safety cutout switch operates and prevents the compressor from operating. You'll need to take it to a shop that has the proper equipment to charge the system and diagnose and repair any leaks.

Look at the front of the compressor and verify that the complete pulley is turning (the part where the belt goes and the center part too). I am assuming you know what the compressor looks like)

If it is not, it could be that the system is low on refrigerant.

If it is, the thicker hose that comes to the compressor, should show some sort of condensation, if the chargs is correct.

Look for oil/dirt accumulation in the hoses, tubes and condenser radiator. That would indicate a refrigerant leak.

Is the recirculation button engaged?

Good luck

spirituk wrote:

OK, Ive replaced the belt , since it was missing (hey never had a A/c car before)... Still dont work.. I think that the gas has gone, since i've had an engine overhaul...complete rebuild. I read that they had to drain the a/c gas to remove the engine, and they never refilled it. Since the garage has pissed me off because of the 3 month (yes 3 month) rebuild time and multiple times that the car has been back, I feel I won't ever go there again... Any how... can I buy the refil gas (r134a) by castrol (EZ fill) and charge the unit with that? Where do I charge it.. is it the pipe with the (LOW) on it from the compressor, and will it be a proper valve attachment... any ideas?

Cheers for any help....

Chris

If you don't mind me saying.......your in over your head on this one. If the system has lost ALL of the freon there are things that need to be done to bring it back in service. If you don't do these steps, it may or may not work well. If you overcharge it you MIGHT GET INJURED!!!

I would make the "Garage" that did the overhaul pay for it.If need be sue them for the service required to get it back where it was before you took it there.

Ouch... that bad? I thought there were pressure valve to stop that kind of thing... hey ho... soon be winter and at least the windows open and the heater is perfect... cheers anyway

Putting your A/C back to work, given that the only thing wrong with it is the lack of refrigerant, is not that complicated, assuming you have a system that uses R134:

1. You need to evacuate the system, i.e. create vacuum in it to remove moisture and non compressible gases (air). For this you need a vacuum pump capable of 29.92 in hg. You need to hold the vacuum for at least

1. At any autoparts, you can buy the charging hose with gauge for around . The charging hose will come with instructions on how to charge the system. Each 12oz can of refrigerant is about in FL. The best way to charge the system is to add the refrigerant weight indicated in the label located somewhere in the engine compartment. Another good indicator will be the suction line, close to the compressor. It will become sweaty when the system is fully charged and the a/c is run at max fan speed, max cooling with the drivers window down (all others closed).

In modern cars it is almost impossible to cause injuries by over charging. There is a pressure switch that stops the compressor due to too low or too high pressure in the system.

Good luck

spirituk wrote:

A couple warnings - you don't have to worry much about personal injury from overcharging, but compressor damage is a real concern. When overcharged, the refrigerant enters the compressor as a liquid and the compressor tries to compress it, a problem called "slugging." Compressors may survive hours of light slugging or be ruined in an instant by one solid slug.

In dry climates the sweating will not occur - here in Arizona I have never seen it. It will also occur at various temperatures depending on the local dew point, which can result in unpredictable results. A refrigeration thermometer taped to the suction pipe is a better bet.

I used to do all my own A/C with a borrowed vacuum pump back in the days of R-12. R-134a gives none of the indications of charge that R-12 did, and I have decided to take our cars to professionals for A/C work. It's cheaper than gambling with the compressor.

Mike

Defogging the inside of the winshield will be MUCH better with a working compressor.

Carl

Only one problem. You get better gas mileage with the windows closed and the AC on than with the AC off and the windows open. Has to do with wind resistance vs. the extra gas needed to turn the compressor.

Plus if it's been evacuated for over 3 months, there's a good possibility of leaking O-rings. Get it charged and checked & like a few others said, see what your rights are regards getting the original repaier to restore it to its original - i.e. working - condition. Cheers

Not only that, but if it's been empty that long the receiver-dryer will probably have to be replaced. Definitely not a DIY if you want the system to work properly and for a long time.

If you're in the UK, I saw an ad by Kwik Fit that offers air con servicing now.

Thanks for all the advice... my law suit is on for other things with this garage cheers