I just had my A/C completely rebuilt for $1600 and it still isn't coming out cold. The mechanic said it's because the new freon substitute doesn't work as well in the old compressor. I saw a thread about a year old discussing replacing the original compressor with a newer one, but it's too late for that now. The guy working on my car put in a custom made condenser to fit into the original place. I like to keep my Mav original, but I'd also like the A/C to work. What can I do to make the air cold with an original Maverick A/C and the new gas, or should the original freon be used in it? The mechanic who rebuilt the A/C says he doesn't think the old freon would mix with the new oil he put in. So what should I do? Change the compressor, change the oil, change the freon, or suffer with hot air (I've already got plenty of that!). Roz
You shouldn't need A/C in northern CA...I was in Monterey 3 weeks ago, and it was downright chilly the entire time I was there. LOVED it!!! I would take what you got to another A/C man and let him confirm or deny that your setup shouldn't be colder. Then have the first guy redo it if the other one says it should work better than it does. With your cool outside temps, even a poorly working AC should be blowing pretty damned cold...
I agree with scooper, my air worked fine with the new R134a. I have since changed compressor for other reasons. Check with another air conditioning guy. You can get rebuilt compressors almost anywhere if you want to stay stock looking. Lee "THE MAV" Richart
A proper technician should have told you what he recommended. A good A/C system can only cool so many degrees below the outside tempature. How cold is your air blowing? I'm glad when I needed A/C work I know a guy w/ gauges and a pump I replaced the dryer canister, compressor, new orfice tube, freon, oil, and converted to the new freon for less than $400 but that was just parts, no labor
Many times this will be caused by the lack of enough airflow over the condenser. Do you have a fan shroud on this car? Also, it is true that many times R134a doesn't work as well in cars that have been converted from R-12, but the air shouldn't be coming out of the vents warm or hot if everything is working correctly...
I live in San Ramon and it can get over 100 degrees here. I don't know the temp the air is coming out, but it is definitely not cold, not hot but not cold only slightly cool. I'm tired of putting money into this thing when it doesn't work . I'm afraid if I take it to another place, they will just want more money! Roz
I have done quite a few conversions myself and have had a few that just wouldn't work. My wifes 06 trailblazer won't even get cool untill it starts going down the road, nothing the dealer can do either. Like MavMark said, you need good cooling. Sometimes a idle cylinoid is necessary too...
Stick a manual thermometer in there, and get it as cold as possible and give us a reading on that vs your outside air temp
I've never had any problems converting from R-12 to R-134A, but then again, I am a Refrigeration Mechanic. There are too many variables to make any assumptions. First thing that should be checked is the refrigerant charge, did they charge it pound for pound? (same amount of R134A as R12?) Over charging an a/c system is worse than under charging. Whats the air temperature coming out of the vents at idle? and 2000 rpm? When it's running, do the lines going to the compressor have any condensation on them?
looks like you have already stepped over the line...i had everything under the hood replaced with late model stuff...$1100. it wasn't as cold as i would have liked it so i went back and found out it had...too much...134A in it...we bled some out and i now have 52 degrees at the vents. also make sure your...heater control valve...is working. also when you turn the A/C on it mixes outside air with it...i plugged the vac. hose going to the...vac. pod...that opened the fresh air door... now it just recirculates the inside air... then...insulate...insulate...insulate... i posted a pic. of Effie, wrapped up in a blanket and the A/C was on med. ......
Plugging that is a very good idea, it just may take a bit longer to get cool if you happen to leave the windows up for a long period of time and it's hotter inside the car than it is outside (as its trying to cool just that hotter air) But, I'm sure your smart enough to know this, and I'm sure the insulation helped out a ton also!
Not trying to step on toes but i'm a certified ac tech and have a 100 on my MACS. Been doing it since before R134, so I am not so sure that being a refrigeration mechanic is advantageous. As for the ones I said I couldn't get working properly, I blame those on poor quality Pep Boys parts cause i'm certified . Actualy I would think it's a percentage gamble... You asked some good questions, waiting to see what she says
