ac

[Ella1]

Read in the thread, I THINK I HAVE FOUND THE ONE
"The thing is if a vehicle just needs freon, then there is a problem. The AC system is a closed system, so if freon is leaking out, then something in the system needs repair. Of course, if it's a tiny leak, it may hold a charge for several months but it will leak out again."
1995 Chevy Astrovan:
On April 8, 2015, the shop paper says, A/C compressor was leaking,remove and replace A/C compressor, orifice tube, accumulator, Evacuate A/C system and charge, unit is blwing at 56'F
REMF comp /A/C Compressor (remanufactured compressor)
Expansion valve - an A?C expansion valve
1 pk Orifice tube - An A/C Orificetube
Accumulator / A/C Accumulator
Refrigerant
about $560 for parts, labor about 200.= about $760.
They gave me a "FIXED FOR EVER WARRANTY CERTIFICATE" ON THE AC compressor. Parts and labor.
Three months later, the shop paper says:
-A/C Performance; low added 1/2 lb. warranty
-collant condition, good

The manager said if it happens again, he will either have to charge me for the coolant, or, they should take the interior panels off and look for a leak going back to the rear AC vents, or replace the compressor, this time with a new one (that presumably I'd have to buy.)(I think he was referring to the compressor.)

Do they really have to take the van panels off, is there a way to find a leak otherwise? I have the rear ac on low, usually, just to help cool the back. If I take it to an actual auto ac specialist, or even the chevy dealer, can they find a problem easier than my general mechanic shop?
What are the chances the problem is the remanufactured compressor?

I'm in Arizona, what might be the charges for this? I have the warranty-should I go back to my mechanic?

 

[ramblingvanman]

The easy way is with a sniffer(leak detector) and/or dye. To check the evaporators, use your sniffer to check the condensate drain tubes. If the sniffer indicates a leak then you likely need to change the indicated evaporator. You can also use the sniffer at the vents. Ultraviolet dye is the best way to check the lines in the engine compartment and under the van. Recharge the system with the refrigerant/dye and then use the UV light to look for bright spots. You can also look for oil build up around the seals where the lines join together and at the compressor itself. Leaks can be tricky to find. Condensers usually only leak when damaged, but sometimes the joints where the lines connect break. You have to understand. This is a mobile system so there will be vibration, it is unavoidable. Vibration leads to metal fatigue and leaks past the seals. Eventually, you are going to get low on refrigerant whether there is an actual detectable leak or not. By eventually, I do not mean a year. if you leak out all your refrigerant in a year or less you have a problem.

 

[BC Guy]

To me, "fixed for ever" means that you do not pay again. You do not say if there was a time limit. I would think that it should be good for at least a year.

 

[Ella1]

It's just the air compressor that has a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, not the rest of the system.
It's blowing cold now, (8-02) working the way I think it should, though it did need 1/2 pound more
refrigerant 3 months later, 7-13-2015. That was added under the warranty. Is a half pound a lot?
Is it a lot to lose in 3 months? I do not see any time limit.

 

[Milk Hauler]

I did an evac and charge my 96 camaro. Gm called for 16oz of r134a. If my system needed 1/2 pound or 8oz after 3 months, I'd say almost half leaked out. Good thing about ac systems is they're basically the same from Rolls Royce to Kia. Its finding the leak that can be expensive. I'm not sure which year 95 or 96 that r12 was phased out for 134a. Going by the parts you listed, Id guess you already had r12 and your system was retrofitted with 134a. My 94 Blazer had r12 and was retrofitted with r134a. My Camaro which will be a present to Nephew was134a from the factory.

You can buy an 8oz can of 134a at Autozone for $12. That's cold air for the entire summer. Do you need ac year round? Some folks do. I travel as a long haul trucker and can be in blazing Texas heat one day, and the chilly coast near Arcata Ca 2 days later.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes 1/2 pound in 3 months is a lot. you have a large leak. they should have put a dye in when they did the work. if they did the leak should be pretty easy to find, unless its behind a body panel. then you must start removing stuff. this is usually where I go into my anti AC rant, but I will refrain. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

After many years, and many rigs, I have come to the conclusion that if an A/C repair is going to cost more than $150, I can run my 12v A/C with ice in it every day for a whole year, so that's the way I'll go.

95% of the time, I don't need to use ice in my A/C to keep comfortably cool. Since my parked times are always far greater than my driving times, and my house 12v A/C will also keep me cool while driving, expensive repairs to the vehicle's A/C just don't make a lot of sense to me.

 

[Ella1]

Man, sometimes I re-read my posts hours later and wonder at them.
I think they are understandable when I post them, but...

I said, "It's just the air compressor that has a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, not the rest of the system.
It's blowing cold now, (8-02) working the way I think it should, though it did need 1/2 pound more
refrigerant 3 months later, 7-13-2015. That was added under the warranty. Is a half pound a lot?
Is it a lot to lose in 3 months? I do not see any time limit. "

It might have been more easily understood if I had said it this way:
"It's just the air compressor that has a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, not the rest of the system.
I do not see any time limit on the paper.
It's blowing cold now, (August-02) working the way I think it should, though it did need 1/2 pound more
refrigerant 2.5 weeks ago, on July-13-2015, 3 months after the compressor was replaced .
That refrigerant was added under the warranty.
Is a half pound a lot?
Is it a lot to lose in 3 months? "

Off Grid 24/7 said, "After many years, and many rigs, I have come to the conclusion that if an A/C repair is going to cost more than $150, I can run my 12v A/C with ice in it every day for a whole year, so that's the way I'll go."

What is that, and where can I get it? What is this "adding ice" about?
I don't move around a lot either, and if not needed, would prefer to NOT spend $$$ if $ will do.
My van is 20 years old, and I'm even older, on a fixed income. I'd sure appreciate some guidance on this.
I am in southern AZ, so use AC even in the winter, I just don't drive, use it, a lot.

 

[Ella1]

I just found this 12 volt Air Conditioner Portable 12v AC Cooler by KoolerAire
12v AC for; boats, tents, campers, trucks, auto's, golf carts, RV's, pets and more.
at http://www.kooleraire.com/index.html

Is this what you're talking about?
Do you know anything of this brand? Is there a better brand? I am not a DIYer .
It appears that I have to have my own cooler. If so, not a problem.
I have numerous cold packs to freeze, but the FAQs say
Can I use "dry ice" instead of regular ice for portable air conditioning?
Absolutely Not! Never use dry ice or any chemical cooling agent with KoolerAire!
These cooler packs are chemicals. but maybe not the same class, as they don't evaporate, they "melt".
It also appears that one side of my body will be cool/cold, the other might bake, --think barrel stoves roasting one side of the body as the other freezes.
How do you deal with that in the hot car at 90'+ F and more hours to drive?

 

[Ella1]

I have a cooler, a 6v fan, ( and a small desk fan120vac, 60HZ, 0.35A and inverter) old sheets of insulfoam ~1", pvc pipe, elbows and T's, and gel packs and salt water freezing.
Is it really as simple as cutting a fan hole and installing the fan upside down, and placing the pipes in the foam?

Where is the best place for the fan hole, centered, or closer to a narrow side? How close or far away should the vent hole be?
Where have you found is the best place to set this cooler, between driver/passenger seats, toward the rear of the van, what?

 

[BC Guy]

The gel packs are not a problem.  What you are making is a swamp cooler.
https://vanlivingforum.com/search/?...9e2f74a3b5222b5f37&sortby=lastpost&order=desc
This has been discussed may times on here (and elsewhere).  Sorry, I don't recall which one people decided was best.

 

[SoulRaven]

Off Grid 24/7 said, "After many years, and many rigs, I have come to the conclusion that if an A/C repair is going to cost more than $150, I can run my 12v A/C with ice in it every day for a whole year, so that's the way I'll go."

What is that, and where can I get it? What is this "adding ice" about?
I don't move around a lot either, and if not needed, would prefer to NOT spend $$$ if $ will do.   My van is 20 years old, and I'm even older, on a fixed income. I'd sure appreciate some guidance on this.

I am in southern AZ, so use AC even in the winter, I just don't drive, use it, a lot.

Greetings Ella!

Here are the directions to build a 12v A/C like the one I use.

In southern AZ, you may need to use ice all the time in one of these.  In mine a big block of ice will last 5-6 days.

I did add a valve to mine, on the top line just outside the cooler, to help regulate the flow of water.  I found that slowing down the water flow would actually make it blow colder air.

Ice will make it blow colder air, but most often I find that just water works okay for me, but like I said, in southern AZ you may need ice all time.

Holler if you need more.

 

[highdesertranger]

and I have pointed out flaws in that design and the same old pic just gets posted. if you build it like that pic you will have a mess. highdesertranger