2 weeks ago my AC died so I took it to nearest auto service center (STS). They recharged it and put in the dye. 1.5 days later the AC stopped producing cold air again. I took it back to the shop for further inspection. They told me that the condensor and evaporator needs to be replaced b/c the dye is showing up around the condensor area.

I decided to take the car elsewhere for a second opinion last week. They did the usual test (pressure, vaccum) and all were negative. They could not find any dents/dye spots on or around condensor area. However they found some leakage from the shrader valve so that was quickly replaced. Recharged the car again with freon and the AC ran nice and cold for rest of the week with no sign of fading. I brought the car back last Friday for a final inspection, no signs of dye on the water puddle (from evaporator) and the AC seems to run just fine.

The day after, my AC dies, only air with a slight fizzle sound from behind the dash. WTF is going on?

 

Just kidding Ange...as for your AC...sounds like it's leaking...but the two other shops missed it. I'm not too familar with AC systems, but some of that rubber hose...has got to age to a point where small pinhole leaks occur.

 

Drive nekid

Sounds like the refrigerent side is okay but the electronics turning the system off/on might be suspect.

 

If you hear leakage behind the dash the evaporator is prob leaking. The shop should recharge the A/C and check for leaks @ the vents with a halogen detector. If freon is present at the vents the evap is leaking. They should also go over the entire system with this tool. The dye works good too but sometimes doesn't show up right away at small leak areas.

 

sooo..if it's leaking inside..u think ummm..she's getting high on it? LOL

 

Maybe, but Ange is high on life.

 

This is a not so cool thread!

 

is it just me or do people out there not use AC? I mean, it makes your engine work harder thus using more gas...

 

Dan: Is that what I've been smelling all last week?

Jeff: Halogen light.. I guess that's different than the blacklight they've used to detect dye residue.
Evap leaking? We had the A/C on for 20+ min. last Friday (when the AC was running cool) and blacklighted the water puddle for dye and there was nothing.

Could it be the hoe? (I meant the rubber hose left of the engine)

 

it's not like the light..it's more like a metal detector for freon..it beeps when it senses freon.

 

It's true that it puts a bit more load on your engine, not much but it's there.

On the other hand, on the highway at crsuing speeds it's been found that the aerodynamic drag caused by having your windows down in some cars can cause worse gas mileage then windows up using the A/C system.

Windows up makes your car slice the air much better crusing at highway speeds.

Around town your A/C is gonna chew up more gas either way.

 

tint those front windows!

 

Just got back from the shop and it's the condensor
Appearently the tranny cooler wasn't mounted securely, the rubbing against the condensor over the past 8 months damaged it. That's where the dye spots showed up (on the condensor fins, behind the tranny cooler).

OE condensor is $250. What kind of labor should I expect for the job?

 

Price of the condensor is right. Labor is 1.7 hrs Does Not Include: Refrigerant Recovery Or Evacuate & Recharge AC System.

(price depends on shops labor rate)

 

just know that ur luck enough to have R-134a instead of R-12 or ud be payin a min. $60 a pound for freon instead of like $15. if u were in the area id help u out, but my hands are tied online. goodluck.

 

Ange, let me know how much it costs. Because I need a new condensor for my car and I just haven't gotten a new one yet. I have a hole in my condensor.