A/C on hot days
#1
A/C on hot days
I've noticed that my A/C takes a really long time to cool on really hot days, specially around noon. Sometimes I arrive at my destination having lost about a kilo in sweat. In the morning, the afternoon, at night, or on rainy days it doesn't have a problem freezing me to sub zero temperatures. The heater is working normally.
I was going to buy a recharge R134a+ bottle because I suspect it's a little low on gas. It's about $24 on any auto parts store. My local Pep Boys quoted me $50 for a diagnosis and a recharge/tint if necessary. So here I'm thinking, I might bite the bullet and save myself $26 or have it diagnosed. It's possible that the car has a refrigerant leak, but I think it is more likely it doesn't. I've been experiencing the same behavior for 2 years. In 2 years, if there was a leak, I'd expect it to have all been leaked out, therefore not cooling me to subzero temps when the ambient temps are a little more bearable.
Either way, I'm going to find out if I can get a cheaper diagnosis. What do you guys think?
I was going to buy a recharge R134a+ bottle because I suspect it's a little low on gas. It's about $24 on any auto parts store. My local Pep Boys quoted me $50 for a diagnosis and a recharge/tint if necessary. So here I'm thinking, I might bite the bullet and save myself $26 or have it diagnosed. It's possible that the car has a refrigerant leak, but I think it is more likely it doesn't. I've been experiencing the same behavior for 2 years. In 2 years, if there was a leak, I'd expect it to have all been leaked out, therefore not cooling me to subzero temps when the ambient temps are a little more bearable.
Either way, I'm going to find out if I can get a cheaper diagnosis. What do you guys think?
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giandanielxk8 (09-18-2013)
#3
#4
In fact, I do use a window shade on the windshield. It helps by diminishing the temperatures inside the car when I get in it. The difference is that without it, it gets hot enough in there to bake a potato, and with it, it's just hot enough for me to break a sweat. The humidity here really doesn't help. I've actually opened my doors and found condensation on the door sills and gotten hit by a blast of water vapor.
I'll definitely be getting it checked out, but there isn't a power in the world, and no god in the universe, that is getting me to pay $50 for a diagnosis. It's not that I'm cheap, it's just that I have a student's budget.
I seem to remember something about codes, similar to OBDII but without a scanner. I think I read in this forum somewhere that the A/C unit in the car can spit out codes that can be displayed in the little screen to control the A/C temperature. Those codes could help diagnose problems with the refrigerant, compressor, etc.
I hope I didn't hallucinate that, because I'd be really nice to be able to save the money on the diagnosis with the codes. How does one go about getting the A/C screen to give me the error codes?
I'll definitely be getting it checked out, but there isn't a power in the world, and no god in the universe, that is getting me to pay $50 for a diagnosis. It's not that I'm cheap, it's just that I have a student's budget.
I seem to remember something about codes, similar to OBDII but without a scanner. I think I read in this forum somewhere that the A/C unit in the car can spit out codes that can be displayed in the little screen to control the A/C temperature. Those codes could help diagnose problems with the refrigerant, compressor, etc.
I hope I didn't hallucinate that, because I'd be really nice to be able to save the money on the diagnosis with the codes. How does one go about getting the A/C screen to give me the error codes?
#5
If you do the recharge make sure it has the gauge. Just take your time, and add a little at a time to allow it to cycle thru the system. Note some of the kits have a dye add to show possible leaks. If the dye shows a leak take to be serviced by a tech. The system will need to vacuumed , compressor oil and freon added. Hope it helps. Jim
#6
If you do the recharge make sure it has the gauge. Just take your time, and add a little at a time to allow it to cycle thru the system. Note some of the kits have a dye add to show possible leaks. If the dye shows a leak take to be serviced by a tech. The system will need to vacuumed , compressor oil and freon added. Hope it helps. Jim
I've actually performed the recharge on my dad's VDP a few years back. I'm familiar with the process. You're right, the gauge is the way to go with the recharge kit. I hadn't really thought much of the A/C on my car until he lent me his car when I was doing the tensioners on mine and I noticed that even in the hottest of days, the A/C on his VDP would blow snow.
#7
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