1998+ Conti A/C system?

[dohcmark8]

My dads 98, well the A/C isnt blowing cold anymore, i can hear the compressor clicking on, and puttting it on Max AC and raising the temp to hot then back to cold doesnt make it any cooler, so that means the blend door is working, could it just be in need of a freon reload?. Does anyone how much a place like Midas or a Dealer will charge to recharge the freon?. Is it normal for a 5 year old car with 80,000 miles on it to run out of freon?.

 

[Sandy]

I'd guess that there's a pin-hole leak in the system that the freon is very slowly evaporating out of. A dealer can run a test in a matter of minutes to make the determination. Should be under 1/2 labor or around $40$

 

[dohcmark8]

So its probably just a leak, so we can just recharge it once a year or so, wont cause any damage right?. How much does Midas charge to recharge to A/C system?

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase don’t go to those stores, it can cost you around $25 bucs AT MOST to do it at home, and its easier then checking your oil.

Everyone thinks its a tough job for some reason.. All you need is 2 bottles of 134a(big bottles, or maybe 3 if its completely empty) and a small tube that will run you $7 bucs. When you get those, all you have to do is connect the tube to you’re A/C system (the part that looks like a cylinder, with a small cover on the side that you can twist out. Set the air on MAX A/C on the highest fan power, and let the bottles empty out. I had an issue similar in my Grand marquis...... recharged it once a year at home, and it worked like a charm.

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

I think its $50-$90bucs at other stores if you still want to take it down there. Even then, you have to be sure they dont cheap out on you and charage it with something other then 134a.

 

[dohcmark8]

Dont you have to put in the exact amount it needs though?

From what you said.....

1. Buy bottles, r134a, and a tube
2. Pop hood, engine running, MAX AC, max fan
3. Open cap b4 or after start car?
4. Let bottles empty out

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

Dont you have to put in the exact amount it needs though?

From what you said.....

1. Buy bottles, r134a, and a tube
2. Pop hood, engine running, MAX AC, max fan
3. Open cap b4 or after start car?
4. Let bottles empty out

As the system fills up, your bottle will slow down in release of the Freon, plus at discount auto parts and auto zone, they sell these Freon tubes with meters included in the package if you insist on using one.

Buy 2-3 large bottles, some of them have a Sealer compound in them, so you might want one of the 2 bottles.

Turn on the car, turn the AC on MAX, Max fan power, and then plug the tube into the cylinder FIRST before you plug it into the bottle, after it’s secure on there, plug it into the bottle and let it release. I suggest you flip the bottle upside down for faster release. You will feel the bottle emptying out quickly, and it will get colder, once it feels light, and not as cold, plug it out, and insert the next bottle and so on. The cover you’re talking about is nothing but a piece of plastic to protect the Freon inlet. If run into any trouble, the guys at AutoZone will help you out.

Sorry I’m in a hurry, if you have more questions, feel free to post, or email me, and I’ll email you my cell number if you should need any help.

 

[Alexander]

The most common place that these new A/C units leak is at the double 0-ring joints. This is the same design that crashed the Challenger space shuttle.

The new O-rings are improved. It is a little tough to open up the joints since the o-rings get fused. You need a special tool to open these joints. Once the joint is open it is easy to replace the O-rings at the joint and it takes only a second to snap the joint together.

I did this repair on my mother's 1991 Cougar when it was about four years old. The joints have held up since.

Alexander
President
Lincolns of Distinction

 

[dohcmark8]

Thanks Alexander, I think I will just keep reloading the freon every year or so, unless doing that can cause more damage.

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

nope, it will not.

 

[dohcmark8]

nope, it will not.

I shot you e email, did you get it?.

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

You got mail

 

[dohcmark8]

Tbnaks man......

 

[Alexander]

The O-Rings are cheap. You can buy them by the box from Ford.

It save you the aggrevation of constantly filling the system.

Alexander
President
Lincolns of Distinction

 

[GRAND_LS 400]

Do you have any pics or diagrams to show where these rings are alexander?

That would be appriciated.

 

[dohcmark8]

Well if it does end up being the O-Rings, does anyone know a decent mechanic in the Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti, Michigan area that wont charge a arm and a leg for the repairs?