Quantcast
Auto AC Help needed... - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Auto AC Help needed...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default Auto AC Help needed...

    2011 Ram 1500 Sport QC 5.7 L

    AC quit last summer so I used a red tek recharge kit from Canadian tire.


    Fast forward to last week when I tried it and again...No AC.

    A forum search tells me that most AC shops wont look at the system once I have used an aftermarket recharge kit on it.

    Should I try the dye kit first to try and find the leak or go straight to the seal kit ?


    Any other options to look at ?

    Thanks.
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Upstairs
    My Ride
    Natural Gas.
    Posts
    13,332
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    @cancerman do you have a suggestion?
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Turbo stuff
    Posts
    3,407
    Rep Power
    68

    Default

    Most common AC leaks are o rings at connections, then condenser taking rocks to the tubes, then a hardline being rubbed through.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    CLK 55 / 2g Eclipse / EP3
    Posts
    4,422
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    "AC quit last summer so I used a red tek recharge kit from Canadian tire." ..... implies that you diagnosed the issue as pneumatic, rather than electrical or mechanical.

    Did the original seal kit not contain dye? If not thats where I would start then.



  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    NA
    Posts
    1,307
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    .
    Last edited by Rat Fink; 12-06-2020 at 05:21 PM.
    Thanks for the 14 years of LOLs. Govern yourselves accordingly and avoid uppercut reactions!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    I installed the "recharge kit" got cold air again and moved on...

    I didn't think about looking for a leak. After 10 years I thought it just needed a re-charge.

    Would the guages that came with the recharge kit work...or where to get a set...and where to connect them ?
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    CLK 55 / 2g Eclipse / EP3
    Posts
    4,422
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    With my AC it was a mechanical issue that I was able to isolate (clutch) - but with anything pneumatic on the AC side, I've always gone to a private garage for AC servicing. They have the tools and skills to fix it or tell you to not bother.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    When it stops raining I will have to have a look at the system to see if I can spot any damage.

    Can you rent the manifold gauges ? Will they show anything if the system is empty ?

    Anyone have a set I can borrow ?

    Or recommend a shop that will look at the system even though
    I have used one of the "bad" re-charge kits...
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Upstairs
    My Ride
    Natural Gas.
    Posts
    13,332
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ExtraSlow View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    @cancerman do you have a suggestion?
    I mean @cancer man
    Quote Originally Posted by killramos View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    You realize you are talking to the guy who made his own furniture out of salad bowls right?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    CLK 55 / 2g Eclipse / EP3
    Posts
    4,422
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    When it stops raining I will have to have a look at the system to see if I can spot any damage.

    Can you rent the manifold gauges ? Will they show anything if the system is empty ?

    Anyone have a set I can borrow ?

    Or recommend a shop that will look at the system even though
    I have used one of the "bad" re-charge kits...
    Seriously, its much easier to get a quick, 1 hr/100$ shop diagnosis - I went through all of this some years ago with buying some of the equipment and then learning how to interpret it - the pneumatic side of things involves a serious learning curve to get it right. Weights are also involved.

    I had a (certified AC) mobile tech come to my garage and did it all for me for about 130$.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by revelations View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Seriously, its much easier to get a quick, 1 hr/100$ shop diagnosis - I went through all of this some years ago with buying some of the equipment and then learning how to interpret it - the pneumatic side of things involves a serious learning curve to get it right. Weights are also involved.

    I had a (certified AC) mobile tech come to my garage and did it all for me for about 130$.


    For sure...and I'm willing to do that...

    I would prefer to use a referral vs a random internet search though...
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Saab 9-5
    Posts
    337
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    For sure...and I'm willing to do that...

    I would prefer to use a referral vs a random internet search though...
    I'am 80% retired if you need a hand pm me..we can at least do an evac and a vacuum test for leaks.
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/The_Smoking_Man_(X-Files).jpg

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    CLK 55 / 2g Eclipse / EP3
    Posts
    4,422
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    For sure...and I'm willing to do that...

    I would prefer to use a referral vs a random internet search though...
    I've used Wrenches in the NE (diagnostic, told me nothing wrong with the pneumatic side)

    https://g.page/wrenches-automotive?share

    As well as:

    C.A.R.S. - they refilled my system after I accidentally purged it while removing a compressor clutch (took off one retaining clip too many). Tested/filled and no BS. Told me exactly what I already knew (but didnt tell them) about the AC system part that was malfunctioning (compressor clutch wire/ground lost connection).

    https://g.page/Calgary-Auto-Repair?share

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Thanks to everyone for the advice and offers to help.

    I had it in the shop yesterday and they did a pressure test and said it held for 15 minute.

    Recharged and added some dye so that if it does leak again that they can pinpoint where the leak is.

    Maybe I'll grab the appropriate UV light and check my self after a few weeks of usage...
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    The Big Char.
    My Ride
    *The First*
    Posts
    4,136
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Thanks to everyone for the advice and offers to help.

    I had it in the shop yesterday and they did a pressure test and said it held for 15 minute.

    Recharged and added some dye so that if it does leak again that they can pinpoint where the leak is.

    Maybe I'll grab the appropriate UV light and check my self after a few weeks of usage...
    Hey, right on! I hope it holds and you should definitely buy a UV light.
    I've got two vehicles with a similar problem.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    223
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Thanks to everyone for the advice and offers to help.

    I had it in the shop yesterday and they did a pressure test and said it held for 15 minute.

    Recharged and added some dye so that if it does leak again that they can pinpoint where the leak is.

    Maybe I'll grab the appropriate UV light and check my self after a few weeks of usage...
    Just curious what shop did you end up using? Both my vehicles AC stopped working and I'd like to take it in for a diagnosis or recharge.

    Anyone else have shop recommendations?

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    948
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Integra Tire Midnapore...next to the Bottle Depot.
    2011 Ram 1500 QC Sport
    2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited

  18. #18
    2002civic's Avatar
    2002civic is offline Held my GTI hostage and got unbanned
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    19 SQ5/22 Pilot BE/18 RS3
    Posts
    1,921
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Any NW a/c shop recommendations? Parents Santa Fe A/C stopped after the winter.

Similar Threads

  1. Auto Detailer Needed $18 pr/hr flat rate

    By DDOUGAN in forum Careers
    Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 09-02-2009, 07:30 AM
  2. Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 10-08-2008, 04:15 PM
  3. licenced auto tech needed performance shop

    By 88jbody in forum Careers
    Replies: 6
    Latest Threads: 05-19-2008, 11:17 AM
  4. Help TV Repair/help needed

    By 2.2vtec in forum General
    Replies: 4
    Latest Threads: 11-04-2006, 11:39 AM
  5. Replies: 29
    Latest Threads: 01-28-2004, 12:03 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •