First gen AC not blowing out cold…

My 2003 2.7L 4x4 Tacoma has been having issues recently with the AC not blowing out cold air. It used to work perfectly fine blowing out cold air. And since it’s a single cab, the cab would get cold pretty fast since the small space. Currently in 110 degrees F summer weather… How can I fix this?

 

Add some Freon. Or take it to a shop.

 

My 95 compressor is looking like it's replacement time so I've been reading up a bit on this. You may just have some air in the lines or need a refrigerant charge. Places I've checked suggest letting a pro team handle this task because it's hard to know how much refrigerant is in the system without gauges and over-pressurizing could stress seals, etc... In the past, I have just used one of those cans from a local auto parts store and it has worked without issues. There are, of course, many tutorials on YouTube on how to do it. Also, instructions on the cans. Good luck.

 

I've noticed that the AC on my 96 is not working as well as I remember from last year. I had checked the pressures then and they were spot on spec. I've not checked them lately though. My thought is that we've had so many high heat days here this year (12 at the end of July where the average is 7 for the whole summer) that it's just harder to cool the truck down.

On an old system like ours there are many things at play. Just adding freon is nothing more than a temp fix because if you need to add some you have other issues. Best have a competent shop give you an opinion. Or you could just wait - in 4-5 months temps will likely be below 90F.

 

Check for leaks with a leak detector first. My '98 had no leaks, but you do lose freon over the years through the compressor seals and ports.

Get one of these:

$70 Orion Motor Tech Vacuum Pump, 3.5 cfm 1/4 hp HVAC Single Stage Vacuum Pump for R12 R22 R134a R410a R502, Auto AC Vacuum Pump Kit for Automotive Air Conditioner Resin Degassing & More, Oil Included

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CSGDHQML/?th=1

and a set of gauges. Freon from your favorite autoparts store. I'd suggest using a scale to weigh the charge so you get the correct amount. Always draw freon from the low side.

Don't laugh at the vacuum pump. I charged all three vehicles with it, and it's still running. When it dies, I'll just throw it away and buy another one.

 

I am in the process of replacing all of my A/C components right now. I don't have much to add except to reiterate that step 1 is to get it leak tested. From there, you can determine what to replace or simply to have it recharged.

 

Someone on the Portland OR Craigslist keeps selling the "full" AC kits for old Toyotas for $250. Haven't seen him post a Taco kit but he implies that he has them. Might be worth checking out.

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/pts/d/corvallis-rav4-c-kit-oem-new/7772619389.html

 

Sanity check- is the wiring connector fully seated into the compressor? On my 2003, it was loose and a few times a year my AC wouldn’t blow cold. I noticed that when the AC was turned on that the compressor wasn’t actually turning on, so I fully seated the connector.

 

Also, if you charge with Freon, you’ll ruin the system as it’s designed for r134a.

 

Yeah, it's sort of like Xerox or Kleenex, commonly recognized as generic names even though they are technically not. I should have just said 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

But to be perfectly technical, the registered name Freon refers to
FLUORINATED HYDROCARBONS USED AS REFRIGERANTS, PROPELLANTS [ , AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING PREPARATIONS ] (https://trademarks.justia.com/713/21/freon-71321938.html)

If you're not savvy enough to check your A/C sticker in the engine bay first, you probably shouldn't be messing with the A/C.