Ac problem in my Tacoma

I have a 2010 tacoma that is having ac issues. I have had the compressor replaced to begin with- that was the first problem but it was working great. Not long after that there was no cold air coming out. I had them look for leaks- they used dye and did not see any.- filled up with freon. It lasted about a 3-4 days and then hot air was blowing out. We repeated the same process and same issue. I didn't do anything for a few months but now summer is here. I just had them check again for leaks- nothing. I am afraid it will lose the cold air again. They fill like the dash needs to be pulled and possible evap coil replacement. They don't do that and suggested I go to the dealership to do. Any ideas or help on this ? Thank you

 

If you have to keep refilling coolant then its got.a leak

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

Yikes. It leaks out?

 

Welcome to TW!

 

This. Unless the coolants not actually making it in. Mine I filled twice, with no change, was a plugged expansion valve, so I replaced that, evap and drier.

 

what was the cost of the valve, evap and drier ?

 

You need to find a shop that primarily does AC work. May be a bit more but you are paying for knowledge instead of guess work.

 

I'm forgetting now, but around 1 or 2 hundred.

 

He said his ac worked after so i assume it was being topped off?

 

I'd agree, but if they're spraying the dye that stuff lights up pretty well so it's hard to miss. But it does sound odd. If there's no leak it shouldn't blow cold after a charge.

I didn't think to ask, is the compressor running? Could be an intermittent problem with the compressor not engaging

 

If the leak is very very small you won’t always have oil(dye carrier) come out. This is very rare though. It’s kind of a shame not all companies add dye to the PAG oil from factory. They might need to add more dye. You can typically tell it’s the evap by checking for dye in the condensation drain hose or the water coming out of it. The evaporators going out is typically very rare though as they’re are tucked away nice and safe. Most failures are due to something with the fan going bad and damaging it.

Did they do a vacuum test to confirm there’s no leaks or just checked for dye? Sometimes people use cheap fittings that can damage there schrader valves on the AC ports. So they sit there with their machine hooked up scratching their head, take their machine off and send you on your way and now it’s leading. I’d have them recharge it and I would personally take the caps off while the AC is running and spray some soapy water on there to see if it’s bubbling. Typically the condenser is usually the culprit since it’s what’s going to take a beating from rocks and such. The problem with using dye is that it’s only as good as how tedious the guy looking for it is. I would consider going to a shop that has a nice sniffer. The nice models can detect extremely low rates of leaks.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

You can't see a dye tracer in the evap case in normal examinations.

But a sniffer would find it.

I recommend you find another, better, shop. Not required to be a dealer. Just someone who knows what they are doing AND willing to do more work than the shop you are using.