Problem with aircon

[Johnnylim]

Just want to share my experience I encountered recently.

 

My 6 year Aveo A/C wasn't blowing cold, only cool. Went to my usual car mech. Boss diagnosed A/C compressor as old, wear and tear. Compressor oil was still clean so no need for change. So changed it to new compressor. Gas also topped up. Drove home, A/C was cold.

 

Couple of days later, A/C wasn't blowing cold. Shopping centre A/C even better. Went back to car mech. They checked gas pressure, released and re-topped up gas. A/C blowing cold.

 

I then observed that when car was driving < 50km/h, A/C blew cold. There was also a hissing sound coming from front passenger footwell area. At > 50km/h, hissing sound disappear and A/C wasn't even cool at all. Even at max coldness and highest fan speed, still felt uncomfortable in cabin. Only when the car was idle, the hissing sound was very audible and A/C went back to cold.

 

Reported this to my mech and their suspicion is that the A/C system was mixing the hot air with the A/C and suggested that I do some kind of bypass to totally block off the hot water. (Aveo models has no thermostat; has a heater function) I didn't feel comfortable with the idea so I decided to try Markcool, as suggested by some of the brudders here in MCF.

 

Mr "Ah Huat", a mustachioed man, greeted me. After listening to my explanation, he explained what he would do first before proceeding. After opening bonnet, he shared that he suspected there was a leak somewhere as the cooling pipes had no condensation on it. Normally, if the A/C was working fine, I noticed condensation forming as well and I agreed with him. He opened up the refridgerant charge port (the green colored one) and attempted to check the pressure. Pressure was very low and according to him, my model is supposed to have a pressure of "650". He also showed me that the charge port area was blowing "bubbles", and that indicated the leak. He offered to change the tiny valve/pin inside, re-pump the gas to the correct pressure and monitor. Took about 15 minutes and we talked about P.Tekong and the many changes compared to the 'good old days' and once done, he showed me that the pipes are now very cold, with lots of condensation.

 

When I had to settle the bill, (like some of the MCF brudders have mentioned), the young lady boss (I think) was less than friendly than "Ah Huat". I assumed there would be NETS but she said only cash and suggested that I take a walk to the nearby multi-storey driving centre where there is a POSB ATM. To my surprise, "Ah Huat" offered to drive me there! I politely declined but he insisted and without informing anyone or asking for permission, I hopped onto his van, dropped me at the reception while he made a huge U-turn to pick me up outside! I have never met such a wonderfully polite and nice car mechanic! Before I left, I shook and profusely thanked him and he gave me his business card.

 

Drove home for 20 minutes, stopped the car, popped the hood to check, everything was aye-ok.

 

My family felt the difference and I'm now a believer and supporter of Markcool. Thank you "Ah Huat"!

So how much u pay at Markcool?

 

[Brock]

So how much u pay at Markcool?

 

To protect the interests of other businesses, I shall not reveal the exact amount, just the range will do. Below $50 only.

[Eng40765]

My wish, 5 years old yesterday 130 k , A/C not cold, went to Markcool, changed condenser and now cold again.....about 3 hours job, take out everything on the dashboard except wire. HU, meters, compartment everything, quite a big job.

 

The single largest repair so far i had. Now COE high, change condenser cheaper.

[Remixes]

now i think my aircon having problem,aircon filter change..condeser wash...freon and oil top up...but still aircon kinda weak fanflow not strong.I m wondering whats the problem?? any kind soul.

[Tanhangkiang]

Hi i face the exact same problem like u recently, i go mark cool, everything fix for 65 bucks. He change a part (cannot remember the name of the part, if my memory nv fail me, its call relay bar or something) and an air con filter. Now air con cold again regardless of how hot the weather.

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MITSUBISHI-...1-/140527615797

 

Yup. This is the relay. You probably have changed this.

[Exige]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MITSUBISHI-...1-/140527615797

 

Yup. This is the relay. You probably have changed this.

 

Hopefully this is what I need to change too. My 5 year old Lancer GLX has been having this air-con problem for the past year, and somewhat more frequently recently. When I start the engine in the morning, or when cold start at normal temperature or parked under shelter, there is no problem. The air-con works really very well.

But when i start the engine when it is still warm, or when it is parked under the sun, etc, sometimes the air-con just will not be cold. At first i could still try to get it to work by revving the engine hard (in neutral gear). But nowadays, the revving technique doesnt seem to work... Shall try to bring the car to Tomika / Markcool this Saturday

 

 

Btw, how can we check if it is the relay that is spoiled? Will the workshop be able to check/test the relay in my car?

Edited July 19, 2011 by Exige

[ClearVision]

Yes, when it comes to car repairs (or any repairs for that matter) there will be happy and disgruntled customers. We do our due diligence to look up info for the best repair man and that's the most we can do. This forum is a useful platform to share info and this is my small contribution after my recent aircon repair 3 days ago......

 

Over the last few weeks, my aircon had been giving intermittent problems. It was very cold when it was moving and when it came to a stop at traffic lights, sometimes (not always though) the aircon would lose its coldness. When the car started to move again, the coldness would come back.

 

After getting info from this website, I contacted Markcool (which received good feedback) at Woodlands. I asked for Ah Huat (as recommended by members here) and this guy whom I spoke with said that he was Ah Huat (the only Ah Huat there). After describing my aircon problem to him, he was very confident that it was the compressor's problem. According to him, it could not be repaired and the cost of changing a new one was $700. By the way, I am driving a Toyota Wish.

 

Then I remember there was another recommended shop called Tomika at Ubi Road 1. I called and described the problem to a Mr Lee. Then I was told that it would most likely be the lacking of oil in the compressor or the compressor's valve which could be faulty. I was asked to bring the car to him.

 

After examining the car, he confirmed that it was the compressor's oil. He confidently told me that the problem should be resolved after adding oil in the compressor. He said he had done many cars facing the same problems. He also mentioned that in his many years of dealing with aircon he had seldom changed compressor for the customers. When compressors give problem it is usually the valve's problem and he has a repair kit for that. Out of curiosity I asked him for the cost of changing a new compressor if needed and he told me it would cost $550 (as compared to $700!!!!!!).

 

It was three days ago that I topped up my compressor's oil and the aircon's problem was indeed gone.

 

So before you decide to change your compressor, check if there are other alternatives.

 

This is my small contribution to this forum.

===============================

Firstly many thanks to Bro Leslie Teo for his info on TOMIKA. My car aircon is not so cold having not service for many years so drive to TOMIKA last Sat 29 July. Was attended to by a guy dont know his name as he like like the Chief there. I think he is Mr Chok (Lee K.C) from the name card on the desk there. He took a look n check/test with his machine and say Receiver/dryer need to change and topup gas/compressor oil. All done within 1 hr and very very reasonable price. I highly recommend his company,quality, honest and reasonable price. BTW I am driving a germany make car and thought sure kenna chop.....but no as he change very reasonable price and quality job.

For the record I am not related to above company and its my first time there. Going there again for my other car this sat again.

 

[Swingarm]

Is the aircon fan at the radiator there on and off?

[Picanto]

===============================

Firstly many thanks to Bro Leslie Teo for his info on TOMIKA. My car aircon is not so cold having not service for many years so drive to TOMIKA last Sat 29 July. Was attended to by a guy dont know his name as he like like the Chief there. I think he is Mr Chok (Lee K.C) from the name card on the desk there. He took a look n check/test with his machine and say Receiver/dryer need to change and topup gas/compressor oil. All done within 1 hr and very very reasonable price. I highly recommend his company,quality, honest and reasonable price. BTW I am driving a germany make car and thought sure kenna chop.....but no as he change very reasonable price and quality job.

For the record I am not related to above company and its my first time there. Going there again for my other car this sat again.

 

you a newbie? highly

[ClearVision]

Hi,

No la....... But dont keep car for long enough to change anything except normal servicing. Now market bad so keep car longer.....

Thanks

[Picanto]

Hi,

No la....... But dont keep car for long enough to change anything except normal servicing. Now market bad so keep car longer.....

Thanks

 

well, we leave it to the rest to judge

[Keithchue]

bros, my airocn is not blowing col air now, jsut cool air, i boruhgt it to my usual mech,,,says that the valve and the dryer is spoilt. recomend to change..any thoughts. he said that the compressor is also weak but still can use.

 

changing all of them cost 500 for me. shold i go? car still have 4 yrs to drive

[Eng40765]

bros, my airocn is not blowing col air now, jsut cool air, i boruhgt it to my usual mech,,,says that the valve and the dryer is spoilt. recomend to change..any thoughts. he said that the compressor is also weak but still can use.

 

changing all of them cost 500 for me. shold i go? car still have 4 yrs to drive

 

As mentioned in my previous post, COE is SGD70K+, new car depreciates by 7k each year just on COE. repair aircon cheaper than change car.

[Codynik]

you might wanna get a 2nd opinion

 

you can try out the following shop

 

I have great experience with them. They are honest and will not ask you to change anything unnecessary.

 

Maybe just slight background. Recently went for servicing and the mech told me got water in my compressor and not enough gas. Need to flush the compressor to rid the water. Cost $200+++. Went to Tomika, they mentioned there is no way to know if there is water in the compressor unless you remove it from the car. They serviced my aircon, including air filter everything $50.

 

So see if you keen to check them out.

 

btw, i am not in anyways associated with them, just wanna share good experiences. Too many con man out there now.

 

Tomika Auto Air-Conditioning

Kampong Ubi Industrial Estate #01-54, 3023A Ubi Road 1 (S)408717

tel: 6746 8128 ‎

[Happily1986]

bros, my airocn is not blowing col air now, jsut cool air, i boruhgt it to my usual mech,,,says that the valve and the dryer is spoilt. recomend to change..any thoughts. he said that the compressor is also weak but still can use.

 

changing all of them cost 500 for me. shold i go? car still have 4 yrs to drive

 

Have you started to isolate the issue systematically by inspecting the easiest items first in order? Like for starters since you didn't mention, you should check your a/c filter then get someone to top up the compressant and see whether it works. If not then go progressively to the other more complicated and expensive parts.

[Keithchue]

hi, my mech, did the follwoing yesterday,

 

check aircon temp,

 

inspected the valves+tubings for leakage

used a machine to re-run the gas

my car got no a/c filter..

 

[Keithchue]

hi, my mech, did the follwoing yesterday,

 

check aircon temp,

 

inspected the valves+tubings for leakage

used a machine to re-run the gas

my car got no a/c filter..

 

 

update,

 

went to tomika, replace the aircon cluth assy, but the aircon is not that cold...been running the airocn for some time now...

i went back today and was told that the coil needs to service. any thoughts?

 

btw, the car seems to be more responsive....