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Question: air conditioning recharge/repair

C

CSVT4-4

CEG'er
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
111
Location
Madison, WI
Hey all. I've posted a little bit (during the winter). I haven't met anyone but, was still hoping you could help me out.

I'm looking for advise for around the Madison area; or further if necessary. The SVT's a/c is only blowing warm and the compressor is cycling frequently. Could anyone recommend a place that they would take their car to?

Thanks!
 
Have you tried recharging it with a kit yet? If the compressor is kicking on and off, like it is, then chances are you are low and it needs to be recharged. You can buy this kits at any auto store.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't tried the kit yet. I did some reading before posting, and there was some strong opinion against the kit; unless there was a meter on both the high and low side to monitor pressure. I also thought if there was a leak, I should get it fixed. After posting this, I tried a different search and came across a thread, from 2006, dealing with the compressor clutch ( http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...er=1248418&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1 ). I'll try that and see if it works. If not, I guess I'll still need a good recommendation.
 
blind829 said:
Have you tried recharging it with a kit yet? If the compressor is kicking on and off, like it is, then chances are you are low and it needs to be recharged. You can buy this kits at any auto store.
Click to expand...


if its low there is most likely a leak that you need to find first, you shouldn't just refil it :rolleyes:


also those recahrge kits only give you have the picture of how the A/C system is working.

rent a gauge set and see what is going on, or buy the cheap $50 autozone set ...
 
I had mine done by my uncle at CarStar in Verona, WI. I had a leak, and ended up replacing a compressor, how-to is somewhere around here.... anyways... I highly recommend getting UV dye added to your system if you have it done professionaly, make sure they have it before you have your system done, that way they can find the leak and replace whatever is causing your issue.... UV dye FTW!!!!
 
blu_fuz said:
I have heard that you need a IL resident ID showing you live in the state :shrug: Is that true?
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure, but it shouldn't be hard to find an auto parts store where they don't care enough to ID everyone. Maybe try to go somewhere that's not right on the border.
 
Well, I spent about 3 hours thinning the shim in the compressor clutch this past Saturday. I was out of tolerance; it seems to be within now. It didn't make a bit of difference. Although, I could probably rob a bank and get away with it. Some of my fingers no longer have identifiable prints. :shrug:

BrApple said:
if its low there is most likely a leak that you need to find first, you shouldn't just refil it :rolleyes:

also those recahrge kits only give you have the picture of how the A/C system is working.

rent a gauge set and see what is going on, or buy the cheap $50 autozone set ...
Click to expand...


BrApple, your comments on previous threads are why I haven't tried the kit yet. The guy I bought the car from said he had the a/c recharged. When they did so, they ran the system dye. He said nothing showed up and they weren't sure why. With that said, you are correct, it wouldn't be a waste of time to check the pressure. Especially since adjusting the shim didn't work. Off the top of your head, do you know what the pressures should be? If not, I'll search it out.

blu_fuz said:
I have heard that you need a IL resident ID showing you live in the state :shrug: Is that true?
Click to expand...

If it's true, it looks like I have a visit to my sister in my near future. ;)

CSVT_2004 said:
I had mine done by my uncle at CarStar in Verona, WI. I had a leak, and ended up replacing a compressor, how-to is somewhere around here.... anyways... I highly recommend getting UV dye added to your system if you have it done professionaly, make sure they have it before you have your system done, that way they can find the leak and replace whatever is causing your issue.... UV dye FTW!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for a reference. If I can't get it done myself, I'll need a place to go!

hetfield said:
I don't know for sure, but it shouldn't be hard to find an auto parts store where they don't care enough to ID everyone. Maybe try to go somewhere that's not right on the border.
Click to expand...

You may be right (you most likely are). That's what family is for. :cool: She belongs to Costco, and Costco has everything...so I'm told. :laugh:
 
At this point, i wouldn't bother with anything until you hook gauges up to it to check the charge. My gut says you prolly have no refrigerant in it(leaked out). So, check charge first, then go from there.
 
A short-cycling compressor is the common and extremely reliable indicator of a low refrigerant charge.

There's no need in most cases to perform any additional diagnostics short of putting gauges on it to confirm. 99.9% of the time, you'll just say "Yep, low charge!".

Steve
 
Recharge

Recharge

You probably have a leak in your system, accordingto a mechanic friend they leak most often in the front behind the grill, ford has those awesome o-ring quick connects that leak often. As far as freon, if its newer than 95 and some 94's, they all have 134a, available at autozone, i have yet to be asked for id when buying 134a, if you are buying r-12, yes.
 
Thanks for the reference. I am heading over there this morning. Wish I would have contacted you earlier to get your uncles name. I'll let you know how it goes.

CSVT_2004 said:
I had mine done by my uncle at CarStar in Verona, WI. I had a leak, and ended up replacing a compressor, how-to is somewhere around here.... anyways... I highly recommend getting UV dye added to your system if you have it done professionaly, make sure they have it before you have your system done, that way they can find the leak and replace whatever is causing your issue.... UV dye FTW!!!!
Click to expand...
 
And Wayne it was. He worked on my car today and I got a chance to speak with him. Very nice guy and seemed to know his stuff. Apparently the dryer is shot and the system is drained. He said it was typical of these cars. I told him I was interested in replacing the dryer myself and he was very helpful and informative as how to go about it. I'll be taking it back there to have the system recharged.

He also said he had a couple of nephews that had these cars. :cool:

Thanks for the reference CSVT_2004.
 
No problem, he knows his stuff pretty good. Any problems getting on the lift, I seem to scrape a little unless I take the side skirts off.
Let me know if you need any help replacing the dryer, been there, done that... orfice filter is a PITA too, I'm guessing you'll have to do that as well since the system is discharged. Also, if you ever order parts from Kayser, make sure they understand that it's the H.O. motor... the seem to fudge up my parts orders all the time, even when I tell them that...
 
CSVT_2004 said:
No problem, he knows his stuff pretty good. Any problems getting on the lift, I seem to scrape a little unless I take the side skirts off.
Let me know if you need any help replacing the dryer, been there, done that... orfice filter is a PITA too, I'm guessing you'll have to do that as well since the system is discharged. Also, if you ever order parts from Kayser, make sure they understand that it's the H.O. motor... the seem to fudge up my parts orders all the time, even when I tell them that...
Click to expand...

Couldn't tell you if it scraped. I'm guessing you had more access to the place than I did. :shrug:
Definitely would appreciate help or guidance. Not sure when I can get to it. I'm guessing later this fall. Gotta get it going before I need the defroster. What are your wages?
Funny you speak of Kayser that way. I am the proud owner of a set of $30 rear subframe bolts that I'll never use. I was looking for the 2 rear swaybar bushing bolts. Much smaller and cheaper, and useful, I assume.
 
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