Air conditioning not as cold as before...

OK... now that the heat has passed, I thought I'd ask... my air isn't as cold as before, I mean even with the acess cab, it's not a huge space to cool, and it seems that in years pass, I never ran it full on, it would just get too cold, but this year, there were days that it was more comfortable to just open the freakin window.

Do these units need to be recharged or ???

Thanks
Sweaty BuddhaHead Steve

 

When was the last time you changed the cabin filter? A clogged filter can restrict airflow. The A/C system is a closed systems and shouldn't need a recharge unless there is a leak. If nobody has check your system in a while it might not be a bad idea to take it to someone and have it tested.

 

Mine needed a recharge Steve. Had no leaks just needed some more refrigerant.
If you do it yourself add it slowly tell the passenger right vent gets cold again. Also don't use the leak sealer type. Just refrigerant!


Also change cabin filter of you haven't lately. Your system will love you

 

AC systems lose charge over the years regarless of condition.

Likely all you need is a recharge, but it would be good to have it tested for leaks just in case.

Typically when the A/C is low on charge it will blow cooler on the drivers side and warm on the passenger side.

 

My dealership did mine for under $200 including replacing the valves.

 

It couldn't hurt to clean the condenser that is located in front of the radiator. Use a degreaser or simple green solution.

 

I would vacuum the system and recharge by weight and add a little dye. Then your all set for finding a leak if need be.

 

ouch...

 

I thought it was fair since it came with a dealership warranty...no backyard braddah doing the work. At least I know it works.

 

$200 is not bad if they have to add Freon. 1lb Freon usually $40-70 alone. All good ideas. Clean condenser, filter, recharge system.

 

Recharge, filter change, and possibly check the fan speed switch. Theres a controlling piece that sometimes needs to be replaced under the dash

 

Thanks EVERYONE... so I'm looking up how to do the cabin filter and front condenser, things I never knew it existed ;-) I'm gonna have the system checked.

I have a great wrench that I go to here in Seattle (if this independant guy gets a shout out from "Click & Clack brothers of Car Talk", who you gonna call? ;-)

peace/be safe

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-ac-condenser-replacement-tips.495755/page-2

 

A 12oz can of R134A is 7 bucks.

 

This is exactly what I did earlier this summer and it made a significant difference. I didn’t have a leak but I’d lost some charge, system presumably hasn’t been recharged ever. It was low by weight, about 25%.

 

Tons of youtube vids on topping off your AC.
Added a can earlier this year, wife is happy now

 

I put this chit on everything.


Seriously, I clean condenser and inside coils on my home AC, the radiator fins on my motorcycles and of course the ac condenser, radiator fins and the aux tranny cooler on the Tacoma. The first time I did the Tacoma the temp at the vent was 5 degrees cooler. I try and clean everything once a year except for the dirt bikes.

Also, from what I've read here on TW, stay away from those do-it-youself recharge kits. The consensus is that they can or may create adverse if not serious results.

 

If the ratchet brothers endorsed them, it's a good shop. My favorite line is "if they have a sign that lights up at night, they're probably legit" LOL.
Zim

 

$7 + wholesale mark up + retail mark up + parts department mark up + dealer mark up + service department mark up + stocking mark up + disposal fee = $70

 

FIY....
Generally speaking an air conditioning system is designed to accommodate up to a 20 degree difference between the outside air and inside air while still keeping around a 55% humidity level which is comfortable.

So if it's 95* outside....well do the math..LOL.


If you don't have a buddy with a set of gages, I think firestone still does a AC check for For $50. I was doing evac and recharge for $175 some years ago. Probably $200 by now. Parts stores have recharge canisters for $25 and come with a small gage. You might just need a little bump. Honest opinion most folks overcharge their systems and that will cause problems on the gaskets and "O" rings. I'd use a professional if you have the resources.
Zim