Grover
05-25-2011, 02:18 PM
So, here is a long account of the A/C system in my car. I will be taking it out to Rob Grady for a third time next month and really want this issue solved. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
The evap. Box in the car was always leaky since I picked up the car. I planned to have it taken to Grady to get fixed (which I did), but before I got there a heat shield fell off the car, causing one of the A/C hoses to crack and release the Freon. So here is the sequence of events (ps. A/C was FREEZING cold before the hose cracked):
1.) Brought car to PJ Grady. Hoses replaced with split hoses, a/c evaporator core, Replaced when box was out to get leak fixed, upgraded from early style accumulator connections to later style (with high pressure switch, orifice tube was replaced).
After this visit, the A/C made an audible sound as the pressures changed (from the evap box area) which never happened before. I am told this is how it should operate, and upon being in other cars, I have observed this as well.
After taking the car back and driving around, the evap. Box was still not draining the water and would spill all over the passenger footwell.
2.) I took the car back to PJ Grady, and has the box removed a second time. It was found that the box was deformed and a new box was needed (entire assembly). The entire assembly was replaced. No more leaks!
a. But, the A/C was NOT cold, no where close. It was almost unbearable to drive in the summer. Also, that winter, I found the defrost wasn’t working (or any heat for that matter). It turned out that the knob that controls the Hot/Cold flap was stuck on part of the evap housing. I fixed and moved it to allow for the flap to move again.
b. Even since fixing this, the A/C does not blow cold. For example, on an 80 degree day, the air outside having the window down is cooler than that coming out of the vents.
c. I no longer hear the flaps move (is this because the foam on the flaps was replaced in the new box?)
d. The compressor cycles at the correct time (about 10-11 seconds), and both radiator fans come on as needed
e. I had the Freon checked last summer, it just needed a VERY SLIGHT fill up, but it still did not blow cold.
f. From a thermometer I used, the change in temperature from outside was AT MOST 15 degrees cooler. So if it was 90 degrees out, the coldest I got it was 75 degrees, in the shade, in my garage, on Max.
So, what could be the problem here? I am taking the car out to get a dent repaired but wanted to have the A/C looked at. Instead of troubleshooting on the spot, I figured it would be ideal to have a list to go through that the community puts together. I really want this fixed as it is almost unbearable to drive the car, and after being in other Deloreans, I know that something is wrong (some are so cold it has to be put on speed 2, I need mine on speed 4 just to get enough air flow to cut through the hot air in the car).
Ideas I have come up with:
When the box was replaced, the flaps are stuck or not functioning correctly, diverting hot air into the cold air.
Compressor dying?
Accumulator needs replacing?
High/low pressure switches need to be adjusted/tweaked
Could the condenser be blocked?
Orifice tube blocked, even though it’s new?
The car still drips water and drains, so to me it’s functioning correctly, but I just never get cold air. Also, the mode switch was replaced when I first got the car 3 years ago when the a/c was functioning fine, and continued to do so afterwards.
I am at a loss and any information/troubleshooting suggestions would be very helpful, thanks!
The evap. Box in the car was always leaky since I picked up the car. I planned to have it taken to Grady to get fixed (which I did), but before I got there a heat shield fell off the car, causing one of the A/C hoses to crack and release the Freon. So here is the sequence of events (ps. A/C was FREEZING cold before the hose cracked):
1.) Brought car to PJ Grady. Hoses replaced with split hoses, a/c evaporator core, Replaced when box was out to get leak fixed, upgraded from early style accumulator connections to later style (with high pressure switch, orifice tube was replaced).
After this visit, the A/C made an audible sound as the pressures changed (from the evap box area) which never happened before. I am told this is how it should operate, and upon being in other cars, I have observed this as well.
After taking the car back and driving around, the evap. Box was still not draining the water and would spill all over the passenger footwell.
2.) I took the car back to PJ Grady, and has the box removed a second time. It was found that the box was deformed and a new box was needed (entire assembly). The entire assembly was replaced. No more leaks!
a. But, the A/C was NOT cold, no where close. It was almost unbearable to drive in the summer. Also, that winter, I found the defrost wasn’t working (or any heat for that matter). It turned out that the knob that controls the Hot/Cold flap was stuck on part of the evap housing. I fixed and moved it to allow for the flap to move again.
b. Even since fixing this, the A/C does not blow cold. For example, on an 80 degree day, the air outside having the window down is cooler than that coming out of the vents.
c. I no longer hear the flaps move (is this because the foam on the flaps was replaced in the new box?)
d. The compressor cycles at the correct time (about 10-11 seconds), and both radiator fans come on as needed
e. I had the Freon checked last summer, it just needed a VERY SLIGHT fill up, but it still did not blow cold.
f. From a thermometer I used, the change in temperature from outside was AT MOST 15 degrees cooler. So if it was 90 degrees out, the coldest I got it was 75 degrees, in the shade, in my garage, on Max.
So, what could be the problem here? I am taking the car out to get a dent repaired but wanted to have the A/C looked at. Instead of troubleshooting on the spot, I figured it would be ideal to have a list to go through that the community puts together. I really want this fixed as it is almost unbearable to drive the car, and after being in other Deloreans, I know that something is wrong (some are so cold it has to be put on speed 2, I need mine on speed 4 just to get enough air flow to cut through the hot air in the car).
Ideas I have come up with:
When the box was replaced, the flaps are stuck or not functioning correctly, diverting hot air into the cold air.
Compressor dying?
Accumulator needs replacing?
High/low pressure switches need to be adjusted/tweaked
Could the condenser be blocked?
Orifice tube blocked, even though it’s new?
The car still drips water and drains, so to me it’s functioning correctly, but I just never get cold air. Also, the mode switch was replaced when I first got the car 3 years ago when the a/c was functioning fine, and continued to do so afterwards.
I am at a loss and any information/troubleshooting suggestions would be very helpful, thanks!