Another A/C Thread Help!
12-03-2008, 10:04 AM
#1
Another A/C Thread Help!
It's been fairly cold in Houston and I haven't had the need to run my a/c for about two weeks now. Well, today the temp got up to 80 and I just wanted to chill the car a bit. I turned on my a/c and the air isn't cold when set on 60 deg. It just blows room temp air.
It's 105 for diagnosis and then it's waived once the problem is found and I decide to have it fixed. I'd like to know from the max community what I should do on my own before going to the dealership.
1. Check freon pressure?
2. ??
3. ??
Also, I've searched the org already for threads regarding this. Not much there to go by so no hatin please. I'm just looking for advice from people who would like to help.
Thanks again guys!
Kevin
It's 105 for diagnosis and then it's waived once the problem is found and I decide to have it fixed. I'd like to know from the max community what I should do on my own before going to the dealership.
1. Check freon pressure?
2. ??
3. ??
Also, I've searched the org already for threads regarding this. Not much there to go by so no hatin please. I'm just looking for advice from people who would like to help.
Thanks again guys!
Kevin
Last edited by KC2010; 12-03-2008 at 10:13 AM.
12-03-2008, 05:06 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 329
I have the same exact problem just this morning. Is the leak lower hose common? I am wondering how you knew this right away. I am going to check my freon level tomorrow I think someone in town checks it for free, but if its not freon problem, I'll know what else it could be, 
ty
ty
12-03-2008, 08:36 PM
#6
yeah check the low side hose. i've replaced a handful of those on the 6th maximas including my own. to the left side of the radiator you'll probably notice a lot of debris and green color filament coating the low side a/c hose.
12-04-2008, 05:55 AM
#7
I wonder if installing my FSTB might of had something to do with this. Not the actual FSTB but my installation.. Hmmm... I'll look at it this weekend. I bought a freon kit last night just in case.
12-04-2008, 12:26 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 352
Same exact problem here. Just found out last week when changing oil. The leaking area is on the low-pressure A/C hose, right in-front of the oil dip-stick. I drove the car over the Thanksgiving weekend. I started to here the short grinding noise when turning on the A/C. Had it replaced at an independent shop ($137 for hose, $50 for freon, $50 labor). Somehow, the car feels much better now. No mistery sounds that I couldnot tell for so long. Please check that hose in your car. Don't risk running the compressor without any lubricant, for so long.
12-04-2008, 01:16 PM
#11
I hear a mysterious sound too. Like an airy empty tin can sound sorta. I'll just leave the a/c off until I can get to a cheap mechanic like yours.
Same exact problem here. Just found out last week when changing oil. The leaking area is on the low-pressure A/C hose, right in-front of the oil dip-stick. I drove the car over the Thanksgiving weekend. I started to here the short grinding noise when turning on the A/C. Had it replaced at an independent shop ($137 for hose, $50 for freon, $50 labor). Somehow, the car feels much better now. No mistery sounds that I couldnot tell for so long. Please check that hose in your car. Don't risk running the compressor without any lubricant, for so long.
12-04-2008, 09:13 PM
#13
12-05-2008, 06:00 AM
#14
I checked the psi last night and it was 5 psi w/ ambient temp of 60 degrees. I added freon and now the A/C is blowing ice cold and the compressor finally kicked on. My mechanic will check the psi this weekend and look for any type of leak.
01-12-2009, 09:39 PM
#15
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 12
I also live in houston and have noticed when i put my AC on around 73, its blowing hot air. Only when i put it down in the 60's do i get cool air. Is there a way to check the freon level? I dont hear anything unusual so i figured it must be this. Any other ideas?
01-13-2009, 05:49 AM
#16
Autozone has some kits for $24 that reads very accurately your low end PSI. Some cans of freon come with gauges. Make sure you find one with the actual psi reading and not just a color gauge. After I get my bumper installed I'll be installing my low end hose. I think I'll do a I write up with pics for other orgers down the road.
01-13-2009, 05:45 PM
#18
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 12
well I have an appointment at the dealership this Thursday. Should be under warranty since i bought it less than a year ago, its a certified Nissan and under 36k miles. If they say i have to pay for something, im going to be fing pissed.
01-14-2009, 04:30 AM
#19
Same exact problem here. Just found out last week when changing oil. The leaking area is on the low-pressure A/C hose, right in-front of the oil dip-stick. I drove the car over the Thanksgiving weekend. I started to here the short grinding noise when turning on the A/C. Had it replaced at an independent shop ($137 for hose, $50 for freon, $50 labor). Somehow, the car feels much better now. No mistery sounds that I couldnot tell for so long. Please check that hose in your car. Don't risk running the compressor without any lubricant, for so long.
01-14-2009, 05:57 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: St Petersburg,FL
Posts: 92
Just wanted to chime in. I live in Florida and I had my lower hose replaced at a small auto shop for 243.00 the dealership wanted 420.00. The hose actually cost 125.00 the rest is labor for evacuating and recharing the system. I would say bypass the dealer and get a few qoutes and make the shops compete against each other for the best price. The air blows artic cold.
Oh Yeah dont let a shop tell you that they can fix the hose by cutting it and repair it. Also have them do a pressure test before they do the work, because one shop told me that both hoses were bad, when in fact the low pressure hose was the culprit. GOOD LUCK.
Oh Yeah dont let a shop tell you that they can fix the hose by cutting it and repair it. Also have them do a pressure test before they do the work, because one shop told me that both hoses were bad, when in fact the low pressure hose was the culprit. GOOD LUCK.
02-26-2009, 12:53 PM
#22
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 371
My 2008 AC is not working either. I don't see any signs of leaking at the hose in front of the oil dip stick, but there is some green looking material at the connection just after the shrader valve. I am assuming that I have the same problem with a leak at that point?
There is no pressure in the system!
There is no pressure in the system!
02-28-2009, 08:44 AM
#26
This Space for Rent
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Phila., PA
Posts: 339
i have the same problem.... there are a variety of things that could be wrong (sensors, switches, hoses, compressor, evaporator)- and one thing to keep in mind is that the A/C system is sealed. it should never need 'charging'. if the refrigerant level is low, there is a leak.
my compressor doesnt cycle and i too get that 'hollow air' sound. lucky for me that its winter here in Philly and i dont 'need' the A/C, yet. its just a matter of finding the time to grab a case of beer, a low side hose (probably) and head to my buddys shop to have him fix it....
come to think of it, its really nice having a good friend with a fully-equipped 4 bay shop
my compressor doesnt cycle and i too get that 'hollow air' sound. lucky for me that its winter here in Philly and i dont 'need' the A/C, yet. its just a matter of finding the time to grab a case of beer, a low side hose (probably) and head to my buddys shop to have him fix it....
come to think of it, its really nice having a good friend with a fully-equipped 4 bay shop
02-28-2009, 11:14 AM
#27
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 628
To those doit-yourselfers who are adding freon to their systems: If you don't fix the leak first, you are wasting your time. I have a 96 Escort that still cools great and has never had any type of AC servicing. If you need to add freon, you have a leak!!!
05-04-2009, 01:31 AM
#30
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
Damn I remember when I had friends in the biz... Beer and pizza, must be nice.
However, I'm in Germany now and have to pay US dealer parts prices, ask if they'll ship over here (no Maxima model in Europe), then have a European Nissan dealer to charge me out the @$$ for labor. In case you didn't know, the dollar-to-euro exchange rate sucks.
Do heed the advice about running your A/C with a leaky hose. You'll kill your compressor quick. I replaced mine thinking that was the problem, but it was just a symptom (it actually did go bad though, due to 'the leak'). Sounded like a whining, dying cat in my engine bay, especially when accellerating and running A/C.
Think I'm going to replace both high and low hoses just to be safe, and not get charged labor twice in case the low doesn't fix it. Damn I should've gotten this fixed under warranty before I left...
'05 SE, about to break the century mark... I blame my wife.
However, I'm in Germany now and have to pay US dealer parts prices, ask if they'll ship over here (no Maxima model in Europe), then have a European Nissan dealer to charge me out the @$$ for labor. In case you didn't know, the dollar-to-euro exchange rate sucks.
Do heed the advice about running your A/C with a leaky hose. You'll kill your compressor quick. I replaced mine thinking that was the problem, but it was just a symptom (it actually did go bad though, due to 'the leak'). Sounded like a whining, dying cat in my engine bay, especially when accellerating and running A/C.
Think I'm going to replace both high and low hoses just to be safe, and not get charged labor twice in case the low doesn't fix it. Damn I should've gotten this fixed under warranty before I left...
'05 SE, about to break the century mark... I blame my wife.
Last edited by barbear1978; 05-04-2009 at 02:09 AM.
05-04-2009, 10:01 PM
#33
Wow, i can't believe how many of my fellow orgers have this same problem! Today I tried my AC and I found out that I have the same problem as everyone here! Phew! Makes your head spin! I will have to check if my extended warranty covers this...on top of that my engine is doing the "Check Engine Light" thingy! (Probably emission system). That I know is covered under my warranty.
So that low end hose, Eh?! I went to Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) and they want much less than the stealership...however they want $90 for the dagnostic and $30 to replenish...then there is the price of that hose and the hourly rate that goes with it....Hey KC2010 where did you get the hose for sooo cheap?
I'm begining to smell hosing here....as being taken advantage of...hmm need to negotiate!
So that low end hose, Eh?! I went to Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) and they want much less than the stealership...however they want $90 for the dagnostic and $30 to replenish...then there is the price of that hose and the hourly rate that goes with it....Hey KC2010 where did you get the hose for sooo cheap?
I'm begining to smell hosing here....as being taken advantage of...hmm need to negotiate!
05-04-2009, 10:56 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 643
Wow, i can't believe how many of my fellow orgers have this same problem! Today I tried my AC and I found out that I have the same problem as everyone here! Phew! Makes your head spin! I will have to check if my extended warranty covers this...on top of that my engine is doing the "Check Engine Light" thingy! (Probably emission system). That I know is covered under my warranty.
So that low end hose, Eh?! I went to Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) and they want much less than the stealership...however they want $90 for the dagnostic and $30 to replenish...then there is the price of that hose and the hourly rate that goes with it....Hey KC2010 where did you get the hose for sooo cheap?
I'm begining to smell hosing here....as being taken advantage of...hmm need to negotiate!
So that low end hose, Eh?! I went to Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) and they want much less than the stealership...however they want $90 for the dagnostic and $30 to replenish...then there is the price of that hose and the hourly rate that goes with it....Hey KC2010 where did you get the hose for sooo cheap?
I'm begining to smell hosing here....as being taken advantage of...hmm need to negotiate!
05-05-2009, 02:00 AM
#35
And how hard is it to replace the lower hose? My buddy has a shop with the machine so labor really isn't a problem.
05-12-2009, 01:05 PM
#37
Crappy Tire wanted $100.00 for diagnostic plus $30 for bottle and and what ever the defective part cost to replace....assuming aftermarket low pressure hose...$30 + Labout...should be under 2 bills.
Found out my problem was also the low pressure hose....problem fixed at no cost under extended warranty!
Phew!
$0.00
Found out my problem was also the low pressure hose....problem fixed at no cost under extended warranty!
Phew!
$0.00
05-13-2009, 09:14 AM
#38
My gf's 6th gen's A/C stoppped working recently, and I've been hearing this sound like water draining from one end of a hose to another. (from behind the dash) Could the sound and A/C be related?
And how hard is it to replace the lower hose? My buddy has a shop with the machine so labor really isn't a problem.
And how hard is it to replace the lower hose? My buddy has a shop with the machine so labor really isn't a problem.
It took my best friend, who happen to have an evac system about less than 10 minutes for the swap out of the leaking low end hose (could be off on time estimate) and the evac was about another 20 minutes. Then start car, put a/c on highest setting (w lowest temp) and charge it with a good gauge and lube/freon. Be sure to know what temp it is outside. It affects the psi readings. You friend with the shop will know all of this. Get the part, go to friends shop and say "Hey man, do your thang!" and chill.
05-13-2009, 11:09 PM
#39
Water sound, I think, is related to the radiator. I've read a few thread on that.
It took my best friend, who happen to have an evac system about less than 10 minutes for the swap out of the leaking low end hose (could be off on time estimate) and the evac was about another 20 minutes. Then start car, put a/c on highest setting (w lowest temp) and charge it with a good gauge and lube/freon. Be sure to know what temp it is outside. It affects the psi readings. You friend with the shop will know all of this. Get the part, go to friends shop and say "Hey man, do your thang!" and chill.
It took my best friend, who happen to have an evac system about less than 10 minutes for the swap out of the leaking low end hose (could be off on time estimate) and the evac was about another 20 minutes. Then start car, put a/c on highest setting (w lowest temp) and charge it with a good gauge and lube/freon. Be sure to know what temp it is outside. It affects the psi readings. You friend with the shop will know all of this. Get the part, go to friends shop and say "Hey man, do your thang!" and chill.
05-17-2009, 01:07 PM
#40
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Marks, MS
Posts: 23
AC problem
My a/c is doing the same thing. Around about 70 degrees, it blows out warm air. Put it on 60 degrees, the air gets cool. Also, I noticed when my compressor kicks on, the car runs pretty hard sitting still. Could this be related to the low end hose?