2005 Toyota Tacoma air conditioner inspection, maintenance & repair

Greetings from Florida. I bought a used 2005 Toyota Tacoma from Mark Taylor's Used Cars and Trucks, Sedalia, Missouri. I seek information for air conditioner inspection, maintenance and repair. When charged, the air conditioner runs cold & normally. After 20 minutes, it no longer runs cold. Any advice for inspection, maintenance and repair?
I previously owned a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. I can respond if anyone has questions about 1998 Toyota Tacoma 2.4L engine, 5 speed manual transmission, manual roll-down windows.
Respectfully, Timothy.

 

Does the A/C light start flashing when it quits?

 

Thank-you for answering DM93. The engine is running. The AC light is on continuously without flashing. I cleaned the cab air filter. No change in temperature.

 

So it quits cooling after 20 min but the A/C light is on steady and not flashing, and it cools good when it does cool?

 

Go-o-o-od morning ☕ DM93. My beloved ex-wife Lee and I used to live around Austin Texas.
Mark Taylor tried to charge the A/C twice before selling it to me. Each time the A/C would produce cold air for 10-20 minutes........then, the cold air faded away.
Said Mark, "I predict a leak. Buy refrigerant with PAG oil leak sealant. I've shown you how & where to safely recharge the system. I suggest that as a repair".
But....Dm93.......I agree with you...."Test. Don't quess".
Have you any suggestions for testing?
Mr. Ukulele Tim

 

First off don't put stop leak in an A/C system, it's not very good at stopping refrigerant leaks but many stop leaks are good at plugging up parts of the system and causing failures should any air or moisture ever enter the system.

A leak as big as you describe should be pretty easy to find with a visual inspection of the refrigerant system. If it has dye in the system it should be very easy to spot with a UV light..
My hunch would be a hole rubbed in the condenser or a line to have a leak that big.

 

Thank-you, Dm93.
I shall follow the above instructions.....maybe tomorrow.
Timothy

 

My air con stopped blowing cold. I refilled it and noticed the Schrader valve at the front of the engine was leaking. Put the cap on, tightened it down. When the freon leaks out, I'll replace the $1 Schrader valve and see what happens.

 

GorgeRunner Thank-you for your A/C inspection information. I shall follow that inspection.
Mr. Tim