Air Con diagnostics
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Air Con diagnostics
When I bought my car the seller said "Oh don't bother with the Air Con" which means "the Air Con doesn't work". Never having needed air con before, I wasn't bothered. But we're having a really hot summer & I've never had a 350 engine in front of my feet before, so I'm getting cooked. I could get it recharged, but if there is a major system problem I'd be wasting my money. Does anybody have any links to info on checking out the system (that doesn't involve specialist equipment)?
TIA
Paul
TIA
Paul
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Re: Air Con diagnostics (UKPaul)
Paul,
The tools you may or may not need depend on the problem. Does it have any freon at all? Can you depress the shrader valve and get any pressure out?
You could get lucky and find that the clutch is out, but it has a full charge. Or, it may have a slow leak needing a new set of seals, oil charge, and freon. It is really hard to say. Most A/C shops will insist on replacing the entire system to avoid any future problems, or damage to the system by other contaminated parts.
Just FYI, I have an old compressor from a house hold freezer unit with adapters soldered to each end. I have a $100 set of gauges, and about $50 more in little fittings and tools. This is about all I need to discharge, charge, and repair almost any (at least G.M.) A/C system.
Good luck.
The tools you may or may not need depend on the problem. Does it have any freon at all? Can you depress the shrader valve and get any pressure out?
You could get lucky and find that the clutch is out, but it has a full charge. Or, it may have a slow leak needing a new set of seals, oil charge, and freon. It is really hard to say. Most A/C shops will insist on replacing the entire system to avoid any future problems, or damage to the system by other contaminated parts.
Just FYI, I have an old compressor from a house hold freezer unit with adapters soldered to each end. I have a $100 set of gauges, and about $50 more in little fittings and tools. This is about all I need to discharge, charge, and repair almost any (at least G.M.) A/C system.
Good luck.
