Question for Steve
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Question for Steve
Steve, Last summer I read up on recharging the AC system. One thing that I took away from all the reading- if you dont know what you are doing or dont have the equipment to do it right (gages and such) STOP before you F'it up.
So last year I had a Motorcraft service center recharge my 97's system. It cost me a little over $100. The tech said i probably had a slow leak and it should be fine now as he didnt see any signs of it leaking. Last summer the truck's recharged system was great
The additive supposedly had some sealer and a dye in it, but obviously the leak I have cant be fixed by that alone....
I turned the AC on last weekend and the compressor runs, stops, runs, stops. If I understand your prior posts- its probably caused by a drop in pressure/refridgerant?
So what would you guess is the most common failure in the system? Is it typically hoses, a gasket someplace, the compressor, reservoir???
Of course I dont imagine you can tell me whats wrong with my truck without seeing it. Im just trying to get an idea of what i should do:
Have the dealership charge it annually
Have the dealership search for the leak- which would probably wind up being a pretty penny.
Is it something I could do if I purchased the gages?
So last year I had a Motorcraft service center recharge my 97's system. It cost me a little over $100. The tech said i probably had a slow leak and it should be fine now as he didnt see any signs of it leaking. Last summer the truck's recharged system was great
The additive supposedly had some sealer and a dye in it, but obviously the leak I have cant be fixed by that alone....
I turned the AC on last weekend and the compressor runs, stops, runs, stops. If I understand your prior posts- its probably caused by a drop in pressure/refridgerant?
So what would you guess is the most common failure in the system? Is it typically hoses, a gasket someplace, the compressor, reservoir???
Of course I dont imagine you can tell me whats wrong with my truck without seeing it. Im just trying to get an idea of what i should do:
Have the dealership charge it annually
Have the dealership search for the leak- which would probably wind up being a pretty penny.
Is it something I could do if I purchased the gages?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,295
Likes: 125
From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
Since the system has dye in it, finding the leaks should not be too difficult assuming that is what is wrong.
You will need a ultraviolet light source (I bought a UV flashlight off ebay) and a set of yellow glasses to enhance the dye's flouresence. You can also buy such kits at auto parts stores that have the light source, glasses, etc all in one package.
Pull the vehicle into a garage or do this in dimmer light. Shine the light on every hard line, every joint, the compressor's shaft seals, the manifold connection, the condensor, and everything else. You can see almost everything in the system with the exception of the evaporator which is in the dash plenum.
Common failures include any of the joints (o-rings), the condensor (road hazard), compressor shaft seals, and the such.
Steve
You will need a ultraviolet light source (I bought a UV flashlight off ebay) and a set of yellow glasses to enhance the dye's flouresence. You can also buy such kits at auto parts stores that have the light source, glasses, etc all in one package.
Pull the vehicle into a garage or do this in dimmer light. Shine the light on every hard line, every joint, the compressor's shaft seals, the manifold connection, the condensor, and everything else. You can see almost everything in the system with the exception of the evaporator which is in the dash plenum.
Common failures include any of the joints (o-rings), the condensor (road hazard), compressor shaft seals, and the such.
Steve