A/C question

Hey ya’ll,

I would like your input in this real quick and my research is saying it can be a number of things, but nothing specific with mine.

After the first 100 degree day my A/C stops working as well, of course. Usual story, driver’s side vents colder than the passenger side.

Now the weird thing is this... I turn the A/C on and a faint hissing sound is made, but only for like 1-3 seconds. Every once in a while it comes and goes, but I maybe at the point of hearing things that aren’t there. What are your thoughts?

I’m going on a road trip this Tuesday so I thought I would get it recharge from a local shop and have them add dye and take it from there.

 

Is that hissing sound coming from the passenger side? If so, it's probably the expansion valve opening and closing.

The fact that it's cold on the driver's side and warmer as you move across the dash is typical of a low refrigerant condition. It's a sealed system, so if it's low, you have a leak.

Craftsman makes a UV flashlight that will make the dye in the system glow if you have a leak. Sold at Lowes.

Good luck

 

Local shop may also check for your leak and make you aware it needs to be fixed before recharge. Recharging a system with a known leak is not ethical. So I guess it will depend on the shop and there method. So be prepared for that.

 

I agree with the others above. I had the same issue a few years ago and there was a leak in the HP Hose and Condenser.

Repair leak(s) and then vacuum / recharge.

 

I got my a/c recharged today and well, the high pressure line was leaking like cray cray. I saw green goo under my tacoma and popped the hood with some good ole smoke or whatever it was. It looks like it was punctured by something that it shouldn't have been punctured by. Replacing this line, I do I need to get a new condenser for a new drier? I've looked and I am confused.

 

On the Tacoma the Condenser and drier are made together as one unit. If the system is opened for service it is recommended to get a new drier and due to the condenser and drier being one unit you would need to replace them both.

I know some that have not replaced the condenser/drier assembly... Your mileage may vary.

https://macsmobileairclimate.org/20...-of-the-receiverdrier-in-your-cars-ac-system/

Receiver/driers and accumulators rarely fail themselves, but as mentioned previously, need to be replaced whenever the system is opened for any other type of service.

https://rivergatemuffler.com/2019/0...r-replaced-when-replacing-your-ac-compressor/

When should you replace your AC dryer?

As you can see, the AC dryer is very important to your AC system. So when should you replace it? The simple answer is this: the AC dryer should be replaced any time your AC system is opened for service. While this may seem unnecessary to some mechanics, most would agree that this is a good rule for replacing the AC dryer. In fact, most compressor warranties require that the dryer also be replaced if the AC system is worked on.