back on June 28th I took the Electra to the only shop in town that could work with r 12. up until this point my system worked but was not as cold as it could have been. After the tech looked at it he added 28 oz (two cans) and said no more bubbles and the vent temp was a cool 37* on a very humid mid 90'sish day. Driving to work from the shop I was very satisfied but as I pull into my parking lot wheel bearing starts acting up so I get it towed home. After a week of messing with fed ex I finally get my parts and shes back on the road only now the ac starts blowing cool air that steadily got warmer to where now it barely functions at all. My question is this. Is it possible the tech added too much r12 and that somehow blew out seals which made it all leak out? if this is the case should I have to pay the shop to go over my system again? I already bought up as much r 12 as I could find (50oz) but really do not want to keep throwing money down the freaking drain here.
Not an AC guy so I can't say for sure but did you replace the o-rings and seals in the system recently before being recharged? If you didn't and charged the system, I'd figure there is an even money bet that the full pressure system caused the old o-rings/seals to let go if it indeed has lost the charge. Without further diagnosis and information, it is all speculative. You need to know if the compressor is running, if the compressor output line is VERY hot and is the evaporator getting cool. It could be as simple as a vacuum line let go and hot water is flowing through the heater core.
Probably already had a leak to begin with. The procedure is to first apply a vacuum to the system. What that does is allow the moisture to burn off. Water boils at room temperature under a vacuum. If moisture is left in the system, it can cause corrosion. And the water will also freeze causing havoc with the system. The system should then be able to hold a vacuum. If it doesn't, the system has a leak. After 40+ years, all the seals AND the accumulator should be replaced regardless. The accumulator has a dessicant bag in it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the POA valve as well. Once the system has been vacuumed out, then the right amount of freon needs to be installed. Going from memory, your Electra takes almost 5 lbs. Should be on the sticker on the compressor. I think its 4.75 lbs. A 4 oz shot of refrigerant oil wouldn't be a bad idea either. If the tech just shot 2 cans in without servicing and repairing the system, he didn't do you any favors. He just put a band aid on it for a week.
the system was working before I took it in. The air was not as cold as it was supposed to be (probably in the 50's) and had been that way since I bought the car last year. I took it in for a top off charge since the ac system hadn't been touched since 2005 (only about 15k miles ago) at that time they found leaks in high and low side hose fittings so they welded them up. After checking the system the shop ran it for awhile and then let it sit for 15 mins to check for leaks and there was nothing so I went to work. ---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ---------- no I didn't replace any parts as the system was working (just a little bit warmer than it should have been) but no leaks or funny noises. If the heater valve stopped working the ac would start out cold and then lose effectiveness as the engine got warmer but that's not the case. ---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 PM ---------- yes the compressor is running. I have noticed that the transition from vent to heater takes longer than it used to. One of the vacuum hoses had come off so I replaced it but this did not seem to effect it very much. The car pulls nearly 20 "s of vacuum and I have checked everywhere for leaks n found nothing. While the car sat for a week I did replace the ball joints and control arm bushings. Is it possible I could have bumped and damaged the hose on the compressor while I was doing this?
I'd have the pressure tested again and if its lost charge test the system to locate the leak then repair, evea and recharge by weight.if you in my area I'd help U with it No Charge.
