A/C problems

[sebaz]

My 94 Lesabre's A/C system is not working right, actually it never did. If I recharge it, it will cool for a few days, but then it will not cool anymore. In addition, when the car has reached normal operating temperature and I'm stopped at a red light for a while the car starts vibrating, which as I've been told, probably means the compressor needs to be changed. Since that means about $1100, I won't do it, at least not for this car, since I hope I can get a newer and more reliable one in a year or so. So I've been trying with those cans they sell at Walmart, most are from Interdynamics, but I tried this other brand before which had "Quest" on the name I believe (also sold at Walmart) and it lasted for about a week.

I would like to know if you guys have any good or bad opinions on these products, and which ones do you think are best. Maybe there are better brands that are sold at auto stores instead, but I'm always looking to save a buck

Thanks

[Alibi]

You probably just have a leak in your AC lines...why not just solve the problem? I think cans of AC stopleak exist but I'm not sure. If that doesn't work, then why not go to a bone yard and get a new(ish) condensor and AC lines for it?

And I kinda doubt a bad AC compressor would cause a rough idle/vibration...more likely are fouled plugs, bad plug wires, gummed IAC valve, vacuum leak, or any number of other small problems.

[ilgoldstein]

It might be worth it to take it to an a/c shop for a leak detection. I know Pep Boys will do a diagnosis. You may have a loose fitting somewhere.

[sebaz]

Originally Posted by Alibi

You probably just have a leak in your AC lines...why not just solve the problem? I think cans of AC stopleak exist but I'm not sure. If that doesn't work, then why not go to a bone yard and get a new(ish) condensor and AC lines for it?

And I kinda doubt a bad AC compressor would cause a rough idle/vibration...more likely are fouled plugs, bad plug wires, gummed IAC valve, vacuum leak, or any number of other small problems.

Actually I tried a couple of those "everything in a can" products that have the stop leak, oil and 134a that you just plug in. It works for a few days but that's it. As for going to a junk yard and getting those things, well, I really wouldn't even know what to look for, much less to install them if somebody gave them to me. There is a small can they sell at Walmart with Stop Leak that also has a dye meant to show you where the leak is. However, I'm wondering, can you just screw those cans into the low pressure service port? There is a dispenser I bought from Interdynamics, with a can of 143a from the same brand, and I hooked the can to it, then connected it to the port and pressed the trigger. The gauge showed that it was empty at the beginning, then it went up a bit but barely to the limit between full and empty. Then it seemed like it didn't have any more refrigerant, but I unscrewed it a little bit just to check and 143a liquid gas started coming out, so I screwed it back in place. At one moment I realized the plastic in the body of the dispenser was cracked. I took it back to Walmart and returned it, I told them it was really bad quality. I gave them the can with it and told them not to unscrew it because it could be dangerous. Since I had used about 3/4 of the can, I didn't request the money for it. For now the A/C is working, but probably not for long. I could take it to the shop, but I don't want to spend more money in this car, which has been a money pit since I bought it.

Anyway, if anybody knows which is the best brand of 134a please let me know. And I really would like to know if I can just screw those little cans they sell at Walmart for about $4 directly into the service port, or if that will cause a disaster.

Thanks

[GringoPete]

have you considered using the "250" method?

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by sebaz

Actually I tried a couple of those "everything in a can" products that have the stop leak, oil and 134a that you just plug in. It works for a few days but that's it. As for going to a junk yard and getting those things, well, I really wouldn't even know what to look for, much less to install them if somebody gave them to me. There is a small can they sell at Walmart with Stop Leak that also has a dye meant to show you where the leak is. However, I'm wondering, can you just screw those cans into the low pressure service port? There is a dispenser I bought from Interdynamics, with a can of 143a from the same brand, and I hooked the can to it, then connected it to the port and pressed the trigger. The gauge showed that it was empty at the beginning, then it went up a bit but barely to the limit between full and empty. Then it seemed like it didn't have any more refrigerant, but I unscrewed it a little bit just to check and 143a liquid gas started coming out, so I screwed it back in place. At one moment I realized the plastic in the body of the dispenser was cracked. I took it back to Walmart and returned it, I told them it was really bad quality. I gave them the can with it and told them not to unscrew it because it could be dangerous. Since I had used about 3/4 of the can, I didn't request the money for it. For now the A/C is working, but probably not for long. I could take it to the shop, but I don't want to spend more money in this car, which has been a money pit since I bought it.

Anyway, if anybody knows which is the best brand of 134a please let me know. And I really would like to know if I can just screw those little cans they sell at Walmart for about $4 directly into the service port, or if that will cause a disaster.

Thanks

You are potentially ruining your AC system really good. You need to quit buying cans of anything because it is dangerous (if you overcharged it) and also a huge waste of money. Your AC system is not going to fix itself. The stop leak cans will not work. The new 134 will leak out. You must get it serviced professionaly or not fix it. You most likely have a compressor failure and also a compressor shaft seal leak, or possibly an evaporator leak. This is fixable if you are an experienced mechanic, but not for most people. I would not buy a used or even remanufactured compressor. I would get one new from ackits.com in the brand Seltec. They make good replacement compressors for much less than the OEM compressors. Nevertheless simply buying a compressor and putting it on will not work as all the gunk in your system will likely kill your new compressor shortly, and you have to do it right for the system to work. If you don't want to invest the money in the equipment to fix it (you could get by with a total investment of about $500 including the parts to fix it yourself), then pay a friend who has the equipment or take it to a fair, competent garage (do a lot of asking around). Not having ac will kill its resale value, but fixing it will not add to it, so it is a lose lose money wise.

All that said, unless your compressor is confirmed as faulty, it would be potentially wasted money to replace it. There can be no guessing with AC work. You have to have the right equipment and have to have a clean system, working components, proper wiring, the right amount of oil and refrigerant in the system, and no moisture in the system, and no leaks. None of that can be guessed at. Throwing money away on cans of stop leak, or o-ring conditioner, or any of that will not help. In fact, those products gumm up the system and make it harder to fix properly later.

There is no danger in having 134a gas released into the air, but it is against federal law. As for brands, they are all the same thing. You only want pure 134 however with no additives or stop leak or conditioners of any kind.