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Another vehicle a/c question - older Infiniti problem?
I bought a '93 Infiniti a couple months ago and it runs just fine except for the A/C. This is a problem because I live in Phoenix and the daytime high temperatures have been around 114 degrees for the past week.
The A/C is cool enough when I drive to work in the morning, but in the afternoon, it barely puts out any cool air at all, and it NEVER gets cold. I took it to one repair shop for an estimate and they said the compresser, condenser and drier ALL need to be replaced...to the tune of $1500 - almost as much as I paid for the car! I plan on getting other estimates, but how likely is it that all three main components would need to be replaced - especially when it DOES put out some cool air. I also noticed this evening that it loses cooling power when I'm going up an incline or sitting at a long stop light. It clearly has some refrigerant and something must be working or I wouldn't have ANY cool air at all, right?
3 Answers
- thebax2006Lv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Condensers are the most likely component to leak because it's located in front of the radiator and catches stones. The dryer only needs replacing if the system has been open to the atmosphere for a length of time. The compressor only needs replacing if it doesn't work or leaks and leaking is not common.
The mechanic should charge the system with 134a and also some dye which will show the leak under a black light. You will need to use the a/c for a few weeks to give the dye a chance to show the leak. Chances are the a/c will work good for a couple weeks if you have a small, slow leak, so take it back to the mechanic after you notice less cooling.
I've seen a/c systems work for 2 years after a recharge if the leak is very small and not detectable.
$125 is fair for a charge of 134a and dye.
Source(s): Mitsubishi Master Tech - 1 decade ago
Before changing those expensive components, try the following:
(1) Top up the refrigerant if you notice bubbles in the view glass(if there is one) at the top of the filter when compressor is on
(2) Check that the cooling fan for the refrigerant radiator is working (& strongly ) when the compressor is on
(3) Check that the cooling fan mentioned is rotating in the right direction when compressor is on
(4) Insulate fully the hose returning refrigerant to the compressor from the expansion valve with common cheap air con tubing insuating material. The refrigerant absorbs substantial amount of heat (through the hose of course) in the engine compartment before reaching the compressor.
Good Luck
- 1 decade ago
Your car is pre R134 and you'll have a difficult time finding freon and if you do, it will be very expensive. It may just be cost effective to replace the components so you can use R134.
