Air Conditioner Question

[MichaelPalmer]

I live in Dallas, Texas and it gets hot here. I bought my 2000 XTerra SE in Oct 2003. I noticed today at lunch, the AC took a long time to get cold. It was cold but not enough to turn it down. When July gets here, it could be a problem - lol Do XTerra a/c's get real cold.

[OffroadX]

Mine has always been up to the task, but it does take some time to catch up. Roll down the windows for a minute as you get going to blow all the super-heated trapped air out (and take some of the heat that the seats, trim, dash etc. have retained too), and crank up the fan to 4 with the recirculate mode OFF. After a minute or so, roll up the windows, turn the fan down to 3 if you can't stand the noise of 4, and let it start to work. Once it seems to be getting the upper hand, turn the recirculate mode on, that lets it re-cool the inside air further rather than having to fight to cool the warmer outside air. Before long, it will be nice and chilly.

If that still doesn't do the job, might be a good idea to check the system for proper refrigerant volume. The high-side hose from the compressor to the condensor in front of the radiator is known to crack and develop a leak. Most Xterras except some of the earlier 2000 models already have a UV-flourescent dye in the system, a blacklight at night might allow you to do a preliminary check.

Brent

[MichaelPalmer]

Thanks Brent. I think it is okay. I guess we'll see how it goes this summer. I was wondering if anyone knew if there were any known a/c issues. It doesn't sound like it based on my search.

[codymac]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I, too, am having this problem. I live in Dallas, and have a 2000 SE, and since it started getting warm/humid, I noticed that the AC suddenly is not up to task. I took it to ProCare Auto in Rowlett, and for $42, they checked the system. According to them, I have an "obvious" leak in my high-side (high pressure) hose. They said that they'd need to replace the dryer, also, if they opened "it" up. I guess "it" being the compressor? To replace those two things, plus add freon and dye to the system (to help identify future leaks), it would be $600, not counting the $42 to find the problem.

Needless to say, this was a bit more than I planned to spend, so I called Bankston, where I bought the Xterra to get an over-the-phone ballpark estimate on the work ProCare claimed my X needed.

Well, the seemingly knowledgable lady on the other end said that they DON'T always have to replace the dryer, but it was a possibility. More often than not they don't, though. But, even if they did, it would cost me roughly $200 less than the other place for the same work. I am glad I called them to check it out, for sure. If they don't need to replace the dryer, it will cost me about $300 less.

Either way, it's a beating, and I think I'm going to quit my job as a software engineer to become an air conditioner tech.

[MichaelPalmer]

hey Codymac,

I basically was told the same thing. I am not sure if my small leak was on the high side. I too probably need to get the dye job done to find it.

However, a friend of a friend who had "some" experience at this hooked it up to one of those A/C hoses. The pressure was pretty low (this was about 3 weeks ago). He got the air of it and put 2 cans of freeon in it. While this guy believed there was a small leak, my AC has working great since. We will see how long it last for this summer.

Cody, you might try to save some bucks if you can get a someone with a hose to put in a couple of cans of freeon in it and see how it works. It seemed pretty easy to do from what I saw. Cans of freeon are like $12-$15 bucks at parts store.

If my AC starts blowing warm air again, I'll probably do what you are going to do. I trust Bankston, but I do NOT trust Trophy - just FYI.

[codymac]

Thanks for your reply. I may show it to my brother, who is more auto tech savvy than I am, and see what he thinks. I'll update this post, either way, because push is coming to shove. I'm hot-natured, and melting here!!!

[MichaelPalmer]

If you like, I can ask this friend if he would be willing to take a look at your car. I call my friend to ask him. Here is my email: [email protected]
I live near White Rock Lake if that is convenient.

I hear what you are saying about the heat

[OffroadX]

Cracked high-pressure hoses aren't uncommon, and yes, any time the system is opened to the atmosphere, it's usually necessary or at least advised to replace the dryer as it can wick a lot of moisture from the air in a short time.

Brent

[cmbro]

My 2001 XE (3 years old this August) has been in the dealership twice in the last 2.5 months for hose replacement. I'm furious. I fired off email and snail mail to Nissan Consumer Affairs asking if they can explain this. They emailed me a canned "see your dealer or buy the manual". My X is still in for the second repair so I'm still not sure how much this one's gonna cost me...

[XBBO]

Geeze, I didnt think anyone from Texas post on these boards.

I, too, am, fortunantly or otherwise, a Dallascite. Personally, the weather here is terrible during the summer. I hear what your saying about needing the AC. Sorry. I was suprised to find Dallas people on here.

[MichaelPalmer]

CodyMac,

Did you get your XTerra AC fixed? Was curious as what the problem was and how much and how satisfied you were with Bankston. Let us all know. Thanks

Hey XBBO, yeah, there are a few of us in Texas - lol

[XBBO]

Any of yall in the SWXC???

Just wondering cause im about to join!!!

[MichaelPalmer]

No XBBO, whats SWXC? Maybe I need to join.

[XBBO]

SWXC is the SouthWest Xterra Club. [url]www.swxc.org[url/]

They are the regional Xterra club for Dallas.
Im going to be joining soon as I said before.

[XBBO]

www.swxc.org

Sorry kinda new at this.