AC Advice

[ajhockey3]

Alright, Summer is coming all the snow has kind of screwed off for now. On some of the warmer days (like 5-10C tops) I have tried the AC but noticed it doesn't blow any colder than just the fan. The previous owner told me the AC works but I have my doubts, The way he was acting he didn't think I would ever get the car running, He didn't tell me a few things about the car, like how the wheel bearing was screwed.



I have a service note from a shop he took it to for all its repairs in his ownership. He paid $147 for a used compressor, and $171 for installation. There is a note from the mechanic who said "Metal shavings found in the A/C system in the summer if you want AC fixed a flush and then a pressure test needs to be done ($150) before any repairs can be done" This document is dated 02/23/2017. Now the shop he took it to, I took the cruiser for the provincial inspection, and I do NOT like them, I had a bad experience I won't really get into it, but I am not happy with them and I will not be taking the car back there. Presumably the car was driven in the summer of 2017, and the story I got was the owners daughter drove it with her child, so I would assume they would use AC? I have two service records after this totaling just under $1000 so its not like they stop giving a crap about the car. I assume if it wasn't working they would fix it, that was the kind of person the previous owner was.


I see 3 options


1: Stop worrying about it, wait till its actually hot outside.


2: Pay a shop to flush the AC System


3: Inject dye into the system, Recharge AC See what happens

to be honest I'm not even sure if the system has a charge, I ordered an ac filler hose online, so I will see in the future

Advice?

[GotToGo]

#2

If you don't heed the warning about the shavings you risk spending even more on repairs.

[ajhockey3]

Originally Posted by GotToGo

#2

If you don't heed the warning about the shavings you risk spending even more on repairs.

Its been nearly a year though sense it happened, Wouldn't the shavings already have ruined the system?

[06_PB6_TOURING]

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

I have a service note from a shop he took it to for all its repairs in his ownership. He paid $147 for a used compressor, and $171 for installation. There is a note from the mechanic who said "Metal shavings found in the A/C system in the summer if you want AC fixed a flush and then a pressure test needs to be done ($150) before any repairs can be done" This document is dated 02/23/2017.

This is pretty straight forward, the shop did nothing wrong and customer apparently refused complete repairs.

It sounds like the AC compressor was replaced due to a failed / locked up clutch bearing. Given the same belt runs the power steering, the AC compressor needs to be there.

Why did the clutch bearing fail? When a compressor comes apart internally, the clutch can slip and badly overheat the clutch bearing causing it to seize. Metal shavings in the system are pointing to a locked compressor.

The customer was then told for the AC to function, more repairs are needed.

I'm betting the AC system has a leak and someone kept recharging it ( at home ) but didn't replace oil that has leaked out.

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

Now the shop he took it to, I took the cruiser for the provincial inspection, and I do NOT like them, I had a bad experience I won't really get into it, but I am not happy with them and I will not be taking the car back there.

A bad experience does not always = shop doing something wrong. If you have another shop lines up, go there.

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

Presumably the car was driven in the summer of 2017, and the story I got was the owners daughter drove it with her child, so I would assume they would use AC? I have two service records after this totaling just under $1000 so its not like they stop giving a crap about the car. I assume if it wasn't working they would fix it, that was the kind of person the previous owner was.

Do you have any other AC specific repair slips?

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

I see 3 options


1: Stop worrying about it, wait till its actually hot outside.


2: Pay a shop to flush the AC System


3: Inject dye into the system, Recharge AC See what happens

to be honest I'm not even sure if the system has a charge, I ordered an ac filler hose online, so I will see in the future

Advice?

The system will need leak checked first, if the evaporator is leaking, it is a dash out repair. Also, the orifice tube hose will need replaced, system flushed to remove metal and possibly a filter installed to trap metal. ( on most cars, the orifice tune / expansion valve is replaceable but on these cars it is part of the hose. )

[GotToGo]

Originally Posted by ajhockey3

Its been nearly a year though sense it happened, Wouldn't the shavings already have ruined the system?

You just don't really know do you?

I think a little bit of caution here (and a little money) just might save you a big headache.