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My A/C stopped working after replacing o-rings behind timing cover

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Old Sep 4, 2014 | 10:17 AM
  #1  
bjaffry's Avatar
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My A/C stopped working after replacing o-rings behind timing cover

I did have to unmount the compressor from the engine, however I did leave everything attached to it. Initially after unmounting it I was letting it rest on a jackstand so no stress was on the lines but while working on the car, it got knocked off many times. Is it likely that this damaged one of the lines and caused a leak? The A/C compressor fully engages when the A/C is on.

good news is my nasty oil leak is gone. Yay! thanks to all who helped me with all my questions I had during the process.
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 11:36 AM
  #2  
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If the compressor is engaging and running, you don't have a refrigerant leak because there is a low pressure switch that would prevent the compressor from running. It's possible to have a bad low pressure switch, but it is over by the battery, so it wasn't in any danger zone while you worked.

Since it sounds like you don't have gauges to check the a/c refrigerant pressure, turn on the a/c and (A) see if the radiator fans are running and (B) take hold of the metal a/c refrigerant pipe that runs across the front of the timing chain cover.

If the radiator fans are running, the the low pressure switch hasn't been tripped. The pipe should get cold (takes a minute) if the compressor is running and the refrigerant hasn't leaked out.

If the above 2 things are good, we have some head scratching to do.
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 01:00 PM
  #3  
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Thank you for your fast response. The fans are turning on however the refrigerant line isn't getting cold. Could it be possible the low pressure switch has been bad before my repair and my repair caused a leak?
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 03:21 PM
  #4  
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That's definitely strange. And are you sure all your settings inside are on cold and not hot? I wouldn't think it falling off the jack stand would cause any problems. I've heard people just let it hang as the lines are strong enough to hold it up. I would think if it did have a leak you would have heard it when it happened.
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 04:00 PM
  #5  
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OK, I started scratching my head.......Hmmmm........... I hate A/C problems.
Old Sep 4, 2014 | 10:05 PM
  #6  
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At this point, I would take the car to a shop and have them hook up the pressure gauges and see what the pressure is. It may be borderline, too low to cool but still enough to keep the pressure switch from tripping.

It's possible a hose got damaged when the compressor fell off and jerked to a stop on the hoses, creating a slow leak.
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