car A/C issues

[rh71]

My '95 truck was brought into a local shop about 4 years back (1999) to get a freon recharge. I figured it had simply run out. Mechanic tried to fill it up and said there was a leak, but since I was paying him full price anyway, he filled it up to the brim and sent me on my way. I wasn't going to pay to fix a compressor or whatever other expensive parts go into a system.

Well that leaky refill lasted me 3-4 years. WTF ?! Only now has the A/C started wearing down.

Is this normal? Is 3-4 years of summer-only-use good for a non-leaky system?

 

[Blain]

3-4 years doesn't sound too bad to me.
I've heard that you should run the AC periodically, even in cooler months. I think it helps keep the system lubricated or something like that.
I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[rh71]

I should also mention there's a "spinning" sound when the A/C is on. It sounds as if there's a CD spinning up (random intervals) in a CD player but it's coming from the A/C system somewhere. It's easily audible.

Is this a sign of a leak or a common sign of low fluid levels?

 

[LordThing]

All about the AC today, eh?


We would put freeon in our cars every 3-5 years (when you were still able to buy freeon and do it yourself). With a leak, you probably are doing well to get that much usage out of it since it leaks year round.

As for the spinning sound, I had a horrid grinding noise show up in mine just a month or so ago, turned out the compressor had went. You may have a bearing or something else going bad and only a matter of time till it fails. I would get it checked.

 

[Vortex22]

Originally posted by: rh71
I should also mention there's a "spinning" sound when the A/C is on. It sounds as if there's a CD spinning up (random intervals) in a CD player but it's coming from the A/C system somewhere. It's easily audible.

Is this a sign of a leak or a common sign of low fluid levels?

I hear a kind of hissing once in a while when my A/C is on... but I've heard that same sound in a bunch of cars before.

 

[NutBucket]

Yes, you should run the AC to keep the seals conditioned. That said, I had my friend evacuate my A/C a few months back in anticipation of a motor swap. I had noticed that recently my A/C had become a bit less efficient. Well, since the car was new in '91 I was down 1/2lb of R12. Not bad. Can't wait to recharge that badboy with some more R12

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Originally posted by: rh71
I should also mention there's a "spinning" sound when the A/C is on. It sounds as if there's a CD spinning up (random intervals) in a CD player but it's coming from the A/C system somewhere. It's easily audible.

Is this a sign of a leak or a common sign of low fluid levels?

I hear a kind of hissing once in a while when my A/C is on... but I've heard that same sound in a bunch of cars before.

Is your A/C low at all ?

 

[thedarkwolf]

When you run your defroster it also kicks the a/c on.

 

[WhiteKnight77]

The newer R-134a refrigerant needs to have a barrier hose used for the lines to and from the compressor and other components. One thing about R-134a is, it has smaller particles that make up the gas. I am seeing many systems that are 3-5 years old that need recharging, but can't find any leaks even when using a dye and UV light. It just seems to disappear over time.

Those with older R-12 systems are in for a shock if they need to have any repairs made. R-12 starts at $50 a pound in most places and will get costlier as supplies finally run out (hard to say when.)

If you think you have a leak, go to a mechanic with the proper equipment. DO NOT go to Auto-Zone or other parts place and get the refrigerant with sealer or stop leak in it. It will mess you your system and most likely result in total failure, not to mention that when the vehicle is finally taken to a shop, the expensive recycling and recovery machines will be trashed too.