AC stopped blowing cold suddenly. Is this a DIY?

[StageLeft]

My 2004 MPV RE was cranking out some brisk air earlier this year then I noticed all of a sudden it wasn't; the air is not cold _at all_. So the entire system seems to have lost all pressure, unless the compressor just died, which seems unlikely. Anyway now the AC button light stays on but no air.

It seems to me that refilling this is a waste of time and it's a major leak. There are dye kits i can buy to try and figure out the source, but

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Your-Car's-Air-Conditioner

If you have any reason to suspect that your refrigerant has leaked out completely (the DIY pressure gauge you bought at the parts store reads 0 psi; the compressor won't engage because it may be sensing no pressure in the system; you checked the gauge and have no PSI level then you are best off taking it to a professional unless you are familiar with what you are doing. As a general rule of thumb, you are probably not familiar enough if you are reading this article. The reason for this is that a completely depleted refrigerant system has no pressure to keep air and moisture from coming in through wherever the refrigerant leaked out.

I can replace the dryer but I cannot vacuum the system.

Thoughts; is this a fair statement above?

 

[CraigRT]

Looks like you need a new vehicle

The AC compressor probably rusted off the engine

Damn Mazda's..

 

[Zenmervolt]

Moisture in the A/C is a Very Bad Thing. You definitely do want to pull a vacuum on the system before charging it if it's empty.

As far as having a pro look at it, I generally do recommend that for an A/C system. Remember, these things run upwards of 300 PSI on the high side of the system (on hot, humid days, if it's 70-80 and dry you might "only" see 200 PSI) so proper sealing of everything is very important.

ZV

 

[boomerang]

My 2004 MPV RE was cranking out some brisk air earlier this year then I noticed all of a sudden it wasn't; the air is not cold _at all_. So the entire system seems to have lost all pressure, unless the compressor just died, which seems unlikely. Anyway now the AC button light stays on but no air.

It seems to me that refilling this is a waste of time and it's a major leak. There are dye kits i can buy to try and figure out the source, but

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Your-Car's-Air-Conditioner



I can replace the dryer but I cannot vacuum the system.

Thoughts; is this a fair statement above?

The hot setup is do replace the receiver/dryer or any other component needing replacement just prior to pulling a vacuum. Makes sense, no? I mean if you did the work and then drove it over and dropped it off, IMO you'd be fine. If you replaced it and then waited until later the next week, you probably just shot yourself in the foot. Moisture in the air actually creates acids in refrigerant systems. Seeing as how that nearly all the components in a modern automotive A/C system are aluminum, over the long haul, this is bad. They rot from the inside out.

In addition, each component of an automotive A/C system contains a residual amount of refrigerant oil. It can be important to replace that oil if a major component is replaced.

I cringe every time I read about people 'adding a can'. It can be as bad to overfill as to under fill.

If you want a long-lasting repair, take it to the pros. In your case, you really need to do that IMO.

 

[StageLeft]

OK guys I will not bother with it. I did check the fuse FTW and it looked ok

 

[alkemyst]

why do you have so many vehicle problems?

 

[StageLeft]

why do you have so many vehicle problems?

What sort of a question is this?

 

[Ronstang]

If one has to ask if AC work is a DIY project he neither has the proper tools or knowledge. I am not saying you cannot acquire both but if you don't have good tools for working on normal car problems you will probably run into problems.

 

[StageLeft]

If one has to ask if AC work is a DIY project he neither has the proper tools or knowledge. I am not saying you cannot acquire both but if you don't have good tools for working on normal car problems you will probably run into problems.

Probably on tools but it's obvious on knowledge; if people knew the answers to questions they wouldn't have to ask them.

 

[LTC8K6]

Maybe the blend door decided to take a vacation...

 

[boomerang]

Maybe the blend door decided to take a vacation...

This is a good point because we've all approached this from the point of view that it's low on refrigerant.

On a summer day with the humidity that's typical, after running for a short time, the receiver/dryer should be covered in beads of 'sweat'. If not, you've got a low refrigerant problem, a compressor related problem, or a problem with the controls in the car itself. By that I mean you're turning on the A/C but the switch is bad, etc. You say the light stays on, so I doubt that's the problem.

 

[alkemyst]

Probably on tools but it's obvious on knowledge; if people knew the answers to questions they wouldn't have to ask them.

and also back to my question...why do your cars seem to have so many problems?

Are you just looking for projects or are they really all falling apart?

A/C is definitely an area like electrical where having the right tools and understanding of systems are important. Certain requirements like vacuum pumps and the like are often overlooked by shadetrees leading to system failure shortly after repair.

 

[StageLeft]

and also back to my question...why do your cars seem to have so many problems?

Are you just looking for projects or are they really all falling apart?

A/C is definitely an area like electrical where having the right tools and understanding of systems are important. Certain requirements like vacuum pumps and the like are often overlooked by shadetrees leading to system failure shortly after repair.

No, you're right, I'm just looking for projects. In fact, I should have mentioned in this thread that the AC had not broken by itself. When the air stopped blowing cold it's because I had pulled over by the side of the road and cut all the lines that looked like they had anything to do with AC. While I was at it I stabbed holes into something that looked like a tupperware and said "brake" on it. Hell if I know what that did, but I'm going to start a thread soon on why is there yellowish fluid leaking around my engine bay?

 

[Paperlantern]

No, you're right, I'm just looking for projects. In fact, I should have mentioned in this thread that the AC had not broken by itself. When the air stopped blowing cold it's because I had pulled over by the side of the road and cut all the lines that looked like they had anything to do with AC. While I was at it I stabbed holes into something that looked like a tupperware and said "brake" on it. Hell if I know what that did, but I'm going to start a thread soon on why is there yellowish fluid leaking around my engine bay?

I'm not gonna lie, this made me lol.