A/C not cooling properly

TheThickster · 05-25-2010, 03:59 PM

Lately the A/C hasnt been cooling properly and out of one vent (driver side) it throws very little cold air like say 80 degrees. Well I put the A/C on high took the headlamp assb. off touched the bottom line on the condenser it was pretty ice cold. The the drier and the lines going in and out of the drier are not cold. The compresser just hit 210,000 miles and about 2 years ago i added a small can of PAG 150 and now its not cooling properly.

Redog · 05-25-2010, 05:38 PM

I'm on my 3rd A/C compressor now at 120xxx miles

The last 2 each lasted just shy of 60K and both of them had a hole in it

TheThickster · 05-25-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redog

I'm on my 3rd A/C compressor now at 120xxx miles

The last 2 each lasted just shy of 60K and both of them had a hole in it

Wow i got lucky did you purchase reman compressors or new ones? i work at a parts store and most of the reman units come back just a little bit after a year. Most clutch coil failure or no compression.

I have a good feeling its not the compressor just maybe a bad drier or orfice tube but im no where near an expert in a/c nor do i have the tools to check it. so hopefully someone can help.

rustyballs_69 · 05-26-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheThickster

Lately the A/C hasnt been cooling properly and out of one vent (driver side) it throws very little cold air like say 80 degrees. Well I put the A/C on high took the headlamp assb. off touched the bottom line on the condenser it was pretty ice cold. The the drier and the lines going in and out of the drier are not cold. The compresser just hit 210,000 miles and about 2 years ago i added a small can of PAG 150 and now its not cooling properly.

Take it to a shop and see if its low on freon. Most places put dye in with the freon so the leak is easy to find.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redog

I'm on my 3rd A/C compressor now at 120xxx miles

The last 2 each lasted just shy of 60K and both of them had a hole in it

Sounds like what they call in the A/C business as black death. The rubber hoses in the system start to deteriorate from the inside out. All that runs through the compressor which destroys it. Once that happens pretty much all of the A/C components need replaced. The condenser and evaporator can be fushed out though.

zzyzzx · 05-28-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redog

The last 2 each lasted just shy of 60K and both of them had a hole in it

A hole in it? Please explain. You mean a hole in the outside casing? I've never had an A/C compressor go bad, and I've driven plenty. Are these crap rebuild going bad, or new ones made in China?

Nate's Alero · 05-28-2010, 11:21 AM

huh, mine has 176K on it, still ICE cold... i just have an orfice tube leak, so i need to add a can here and there.

check your orfice tubes for leaks, also check the low side pressure when running

zzyzzx · 05-28-2010, 12:48 PM

The A/C compressor on my 1995 Ford Escort is original too, and at over 193K miles it still works just fine.

Nate's Alero · 05-28-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

The A/C compressor on my 1995 Ford Escort is original too, and at over 193K miles it still works just fine.

i got one to beat you all, 56X,XXX Miles, Saturn SL, Orig A/C Compy. lol

TheThickster · 05-29-2010, 12:01 AM

the only line that is ice cold is the one on the bottom of the condensor which i think runs to the cabin? the drier is warm to the touch.

i the a/c on my cavalier is ice cold and so is the drier and the bottom line of the condensor. could it be just a bad orifice or drier?