Summer is coming and I just turned my A/C on yesterday... and it's blowing warm!!! I just changed all the belts myself a couple weeks ago so I thought I could've effed something up doing that but the belts look ok. What should I check? This summer's supposed to be a SCORCHER!

 

Look to see if the clutch on the AC compressor is engaging. If the charge is too low, the compressor wont come on.

 

explain please. what charge? electrical charge? how do i check the ac clutch?

 

unscrew one of the caps on the AC line it looks like a valve stem and push it and see if if anything comes out

 

I have a spare compressor if u need it.

 

it blew air... car was off and cold.. and i pushed the little valve and psshhht... air for like 2 secs. Then i stopped. What does this mean?

 

YOur AC system is empty

 

What should've happened? Does it matter what hose I opened?

Does this mean I need more freon? What's the cheapest way to go about this? What type of coolant is used in these cars and why would it go bad so soon (it worked great last summer)?

 

Assuming the above is true (i'm out of refrigerant):
What's the avg. price difference between r12 and r134a? Can I convert the system easily using an advance auto kit? Is it worth it or should I just take it to a shop and have them do it?

 

The R134 conversion kit is not good for your compressor and lines. it runs at a MUCH higher pressure, and will fry your lines. I would go with Freeze 12, but you have to have a licence to purchase that. I dont know the running price of freon, but it was like 50 bucks a can not too long ago.

 

summer shmummer get rid of the whole thing. LOL seriously though the gas mileage has got to suck man.

 

That's the worst way to check the system for gas. It's illegal and wastes good gas.

The correct way is to run the engine and A/C for a few minutes and then check for air bubbles in the sight glass on top of the receiver (see Haynes or FSM for location). If you see bubbles flowing past the sight glass when the clutch is engaged, you need to recharge the system.

 

But if the system is completly empty wouldnt you see nothing at all?

 

I don't know, but I'll try that today.

 

You know you still have to find where the freon is leaking out from.

 

yeah, i'll be trying that in about an hour when i go to a meeting, but what are my options as far as r134 kits? Is it not a good idea for rxs? I know they work ok on other cars. Also, will shops put freeze12?

Is a leak the only reason it'd be going out like this?

 

Ny guess is you got a leak over the winter. Now you are going to have to find it, or putting more refrigerant in the system is about fruitless..

Your gonna have to take it to an AC specialist so they can inject some dye into your system and find the leak.

 

I just checked it and I didn't see much of anything in the view window. Does that mean it all leaked? Is it supposed to be colored?

 

Go on ebay or websites and look for a product called, "Freeze12"

 

Can someone write a more detailed post than "look for a product called freeze12" please. No offense, I'd just like more info. I know about freeze12. What do I do with it? How much do I need?

 

Well it's the same **** as R12 but cheaper, safer, etc... Google it and get the info, simple as that.

 

Dude, you can buy all the Freeze 12 you want, but if you dont fix that leak, your wasting your time.

What you NEED is to get it to an AC tech or someone that knows what the hell they are doing and have them leak check it.

What I meant by dye, is that they inject a UV dye into the system that only shows up under black light. There ARE some kits available to do it yourself at checkers/auto zone/etc....

 

checked your fuses?

 

Yeah, sadly I did ... The only fuse remotely attached is the one in the engine bay right? And that one's fine. The heat seems to work, but it's that temperature that I can't really tell now.

 

This may sound odd, but are you using the stock airbox still?