A/C blows warm air!

[MB43]

This isn't a problem with my A-Body, but with my Ram.

The A/C is blowing warm air. That really sucks on those 90+ degree days.

I picked up one of those recharge kits at Auto Zone. I filled up the whole system, while it was filling the condensor (the unit the front of the radiator) was hissing. If I put my hand in front of it I could feel air coming out of it. The bottom pipe going to the condensor was ice cold, the pipe top one was warm. After it was full, the thing was still hissing but diminishing, sounded like whatever I had put in was coming right out.

That's more than likely a Bad Thing, right? Is that something that's simple to replace, or is it all high-pressure hoses and what not? I've don't really know anything about A/C, so remeber that if these seem like dumb questions. ;-)

 

[cuda67bnl]

If it was hissing, it was leaking........

 

[MB43]

If it was hissing, it was leaking........

Right. But the condenser has always hissed on this truck. Not while driving normally, but after shutting it off. From what I've read that's normal, there's a valve somewhere that bleeds off excess pressure.

But anyway... if it was hissing while I was filling it, it was probably leaking out? I don't know what the condensor is like inside, is it like a radiator where the refrigerant flows through the thing, so if a couple of fins are broken it could all leak out?

 

[cuda67bnl]

I'm gonna guess, and say yes. I've never heard one hiss except after running for awhile and shutting it off. That's only a guess though, without seeing it in person. I'm not an A/C guy, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night........

It'd have to be a good size hole to do that too...... Most leak real slow when something goes wrong.

 

[MB43]

I had a look at the condenser when I got home from work today... where it was leaking from the fins are bashed up pretty good, looks like something hit it there.

 

[fenderman33]

Have a shop recover the freon in it if there is any, replace the condenser, o-rings, and the receiver drier and o-rings, have a shop put a vacuum on it and make sure it holds, then refill and you'll be back in business. If you want to come down to VA I'll do it for you.
-Jon

 

[fenderman33]

Any luck?

 

[MB43]

Any luck?

I haven't had a chance (or the cash) to do anything with this yet. I blew up the engine in my Duster, that takes priority.