Advice needed on slight whine and AC no longer working

[Slashzero]

Hello,

About a month ago, I started hearing a very slight high pitched whining noise. It is almost unoticeable. The pitch changes while accelerating (not how loud it is, just the pitch gets higher the more you press on the gas). It almost sounds like interference from the speakers, but I hear it even if the speakers are off. I decided to leave it alone to see if it got worse. That was a month or so ago. It hasn’t changed, or worsened. However...

Yesterday, it was warm (about 40 degrees), so I turned the AC on, but no cold air was coming out. The air felt slightly warm. The heat has been working fine.

Now I’m thinking the whine and AC are related. Could this be a belt, water pump, or some other issue?

 

[dnik]

For the whine, check if power steering fluid low. Check steering rack and power steering pressure line for leaks.

 

[Slashzero]

Good morning! I took my truck to a local mechanic to get my AC checked out. He said he charged it, and put a tracer in to look for leaks. Found at least one leak on one of the lines on the passenger side, where Freon was basically pouring out so he switched the machine to reclaim what he could.

He recommended replacing all the lines, given they are about 16 years old, and he can’t guarantee they won’t break while he’s working on them. For the brief time he was able to run the AC it was ice cold.

Quoted me about $2000 for parts and labor.

• 6 AC lines (straight from dealership OEM parts), $1300
• 5-6 hours of labor at $100/hour

At this point I’ve told him to go ahead and order all the lines and replace them.

Probably could have ordered the lines myself from McGeorge Toyota for cheaper, damnit! Why didn’t I think of that yesterday.

 

[guerasfj60]

Place stop on the order?

 

[FxFormat]

Which line was leaking? One of the main line that likes to corrode and leak is the line that goes to the rear of the AC unit, most people just cap that line off and only use the front AC. If you go under your truck on the passenger side, there is a line near the front wheel well under that metal bracket, that line collects a lot of dirt/water/salt and corrode.

2 grand is a lot of money that can go elsewhere on the truck

 

[Slashzero]

Place stop on the order?

He ordered the parts last night.

Plus I’d have to dig through the service manuals to find all the line part numbers. He said he was ordering six, which I assume is all of them... at least he said he would replace all of them.

Which line was leaking? One of the main line that likes to corrode and leak is the line that goes to the rear of the AC unit, most people just cap that line off and only use the front AC. If you go under your truck on the passenger side, there is a line near the front wheel well under that metal bracket, that line collects a lot of dirt/water/salt and corrode.

2 grand is a lot of money that can go elsewhere on the truck

He mentioned there is a high and low line on the passenger side where there is a retaining clip, and the leak is there. He said he could try to replace that line alone, but not able to tell if there are other leaks, plus the lines are likely brittle after 16 years and likely to break with any handling.

I understood the cost of maintaining this vehicle when I purchased it, and I’d like to have both the front and rear AC working (I have young kids, and have to haul around family often).

I just don’t feel trying to tackle this job myself will be a fun experience, and who knows how long the remaining lines will last before another leak occurs. There is also the chance there is more than one leak currently.

 

[guerasfj60]

Let us know the final labor cost

 

[Slashzero]

Let us know the final labor cost

Will do!

 

[Slashzero]

Update: The final AC line came in this afternoon. Mechanic is planning to start work on it Friday morning.

 

[Slashzero]

Friday Update: Just got off the phone with the mechanic. He did replace 6 lines, however the two lines he had planned to leave alone by the firewall unthreaded while they were working on them and the aluminum is too weak to thread back on.

He has to order two more lines. Truck will sit there over the weekend. Should be all done Monday provided he has the lines by then.

Looking at $2600 for all work including the two additional lines, charging the AC, etc. Expensive, but I will have both front and rear functional AC for the upcoming hot and humid summer.

The new lines are genuine OEM, so hopefully they last another 16 years.

 

[Slashzero]

Monday Update: Well I have the truck back. The AC is ice cold. It never got this cold before, and that’s even after I installed the aux fan.

Replaced 6 rear lines, and 2 high lines. Roughly $1600 for lines, $830 for labor.
$2525.98 total.

See screenshot for cost itemization and part numbers.

 

[sharkCamo]

Ouch. At least it works now.