air condition

I have 97 gp. For the past month and a 1/2 i have noticed that my A/C has been getting less cold every week. The a/c it's self isnt turning on any more. Do i need to buy one of those recharging kits? I dont think it has any leaks. Are the kits any good, if so what ones should i buy ?

Chances are you do have a leak. The a/c is set up to turn on if the system has a specific pressure. Once enough 134a has escaped the computer won't allow the compressor to kick on to avoid damage to the system. Either get a recharge kit or take it to a garage the will put a leak detector into the system. Look for traces or oil around the connections or at the accumulator/drier, the condensor, compressor, or where the lines go into the firewall for the evaporator. If it is leaking in there it takes a little more to diagnose the problem. Good luck with it.

can anyone suggest a typ of kit ?

I'd go to autozone, they have a kit that comes with the leak stuff and a black light. Run that through your a/c and when it quits working take the black light and go over the a/c lines and if there is a leak then it will show up with the light.

If it just happened all of a sudden pay close attention to the condensor (in front of your radiator) it may have caught a stone and caused a slow leak.

Is there a specific smell that could be associated with a leak?

I had the same situation and it turned out to be the a leak in the compressor. There wasn't any smell until I used a kit to refill it. The oil from the compressor gets on the engine and burns up. I wish you luck. I have tfound that it isn't the cheapest repair either. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $800-900.00 with new parts. If you go re-man the price around here is about 500.00. Hope this helps.

I've never noticed a smell. Best bet would be to get that kit I mentioned or take it to a mechanic that specializes in a/c. If you can, feel around connections and the components. You may feel the oil used in the system, or see it.