Just thought I'd make a post about my A/C problem and solution.
Over the course of about a month the A/C went from working like normal, to intermittent, to completely inoperative. Much like the scores of other threads I've read on the subject.
About half way through the problems I did a few preliminary checks and found that a) the compressor was still running, b) I could discharge a fair amount of pressure by quickly testing the schrader valves on both H & L ports, and c) there was no noticeable leaks of liquid along the piping of the system or anywhere else.
A couple weeks later, now that I've had the time to really get into it, I started once again checking to see if the compressor would kick on with the AC button pushed. I was surprised when it would not, having known that a couple weeks prior it had been working as advertised. So began my further research into the system's operation where I discovered that as the pressure in the system bleeds off, at a certain setting the compressor will not kick on in order to prevent the unit from running without lubrication. Frickin genius and I'm thankful that this 15 year old truck still works as its supposed to. Then I tested the schrader valves once more and the pressure was quite weak. So my logic told me that there simply must be a slow leak.
I knew I had better look real close at the plumbing in hopes of finding a leak. It wasn't long before I saw where a tube to the rear unit had been rubbing on the gusset of my slider along the frame. But it was covered in foam so the contact wasn't completely visible. I cut off the foam, muscled the tube to the side and revealed what might be a corrosion type of pinhole in that contact spot. I then saw the slight moisture from the leakage, but it certainly wasn't the large mess I was searching for, this was evidence of a very small slow leak I thought. So I cleaned it and picked at it until the hole was fully punctured and it let the rest of the gas out into the atmosphere (sorry about that
).
Rather than trying to order that section of hose I just figured I'd go for some JB Weld being that it was such a small hole. I generally don't use that stuff much but this seemed like the perfect solution. Time will tell I suppose. I reinforced the wear area with what I had on hand. It looks, and is hokey, but some hose and zip ties were all I could muster after about 10 minutes of rummaging for the perfect guard...
After the repair it was a quick run to the store for a $35 can of A/C Pro and 15 minutes later I had cold air once again! The product also is supposed to have a sealing element which should also help with that tiny pinhole from the inside. I'm hoping it stays that way and that this wasn't just one of a number of other problems with it. Hopefully there won't be a follow up to this thread and it will continue to work as it should.
Notes:
I was puzzled about the difference between the Hi and Low side of the system. The instructions all talked about servicing the low side only so I couldn't understand how I was going to get the high side filled. Well, it is the same system. When one schrader indicates empty the other will as well. IOW they are not a separate source of gas, one side is just pressurized by the compressor... duh right? I know...
Yes, as a result of posting these pictures I was shamed into pressure washing my filthy engine bay (carefully) today, and yeah, I've been meaning to get down there with some black paint too...
Over the course of about a month the A/C went from working like normal, to intermittent, to completely inoperative. Much like the scores of other threads I've read on the subject.
About half way through the problems I did a few preliminary checks and found that a) the compressor was still running, b) I could discharge a fair amount of pressure by quickly testing the schrader valves on both H & L ports, and c) there was no noticeable leaks of liquid along the piping of the system or anywhere else.
A couple weeks later, now that I've had the time to really get into it, I started once again checking to see if the compressor would kick on with the AC button pushed. I was surprised when it would not, having known that a couple weeks prior it had been working as advertised. So began my further research into the system's operation where I discovered that as the pressure in the system bleeds off, at a certain setting the compressor will not kick on in order to prevent the unit from running without lubrication. Frickin genius and I'm thankful that this 15 year old truck still works as its supposed to. Then I tested the schrader valves once more and the pressure was quite weak. So my logic told me that there simply must be a slow leak.
I knew I had better look real close at the plumbing in hopes of finding a leak. It wasn't long before I saw where a tube to the rear unit had been rubbing on the gusset of my slider along the frame. But it was covered in foam so the contact wasn't completely visible. I cut off the foam, muscled the tube to the side and revealed what might be a corrosion type of pinhole in that contact spot. I then saw the slight moisture from the leakage, but it certainly wasn't the large mess I was searching for, this was evidence of a very small slow leak I thought. So I cleaned it and picked at it until the hole was fully punctured and it let the rest of the gas out into the atmosphere (sorry about that
).Rather than trying to order that section of hose I just figured I'd go for some JB Weld being that it was such a small hole. I generally don't use that stuff much but this seemed like the perfect solution. Time will tell I suppose. I reinforced the wear area with what I had on hand. It looks, and is hokey, but some hose and zip ties were all I could muster after about 10 minutes of rummaging for the perfect guard...
After the repair it was a quick run to the store for a $35 can of A/C Pro and 15 minutes later I had cold air once again! The product also is supposed to have a sealing element which should also help with that tiny pinhole from the inside. I'm hoping it stays that way and that this wasn't just one of a number of other problems with it. Hopefully there won't be a follow up to this thread and it will continue to work as it should.
Notes:
I was puzzled about the difference between the Hi and Low side of the system. The instructions all talked about servicing the low side only so I couldn't understand how I was going to get the high side filled. Well, it is the same system. When one schrader indicates empty the other will as well. IOW they are not a separate source of gas, one side is just pressurized by the compressor... duh right? I know...
Yes, as a result of posting these pictures I was shamed into pressure washing my filthy engine bay (carefully) today, and yeah, I've been meaning to get down there with some black paint too...
