Air con issue....

[Kb27]

I'm only planning to replace the aircon filter, but if we only decide to take action when shooting out warm air, will it be too late?

Meaning need to pay more for repair cost instead if we have done preventive maintenance eg regular servicing etc

 

Not necessary too late.

Preventive servicing is more for keeping the aircon system in good shape operating at better efficiency.

But it cannot prevent any fault from occurring, like coolant leakage, etc.

[TVT]

 

hee… ok, if not immediately die then think it's no diff from the gas we smelled if the engine panel in the M113 was not closed/sealed properly??

 

 

M113 if engine panel not closed properly cannot move off, right? That's TSR !

 

Anyway if really engine panel not closed, the heat from the engine would burn you up first, before the gas kills you!

 

[Kb27]

 

If no leak, then no need to top up gas.

 

But according to the a/c workshop guy i went to, he said it's advisable to change the oil in the a/c (dunno compressor or what?) every dunno how long at aircon servicing. This will help to maintain and prolong the lifespan of the a/c. He first asked me if i know a/c got oil, on top of gas, i said dunno. Then he said a/c compressor is a motor got run, if no oil, how to run?? Then if got oil, isn't it logical should change? If engine oil need change, why a/c oil doesn't?

 

 

Aircon system needs compressor oil, aka PAG oil.

 

This oil lubricates moving parts of the compressor, as the coolant is dry and creates friction and heat.

Without the lubricant, the compressor will up lorry very fast.

It is injected into the system with a precise quantity like the low and high pressure gas line.

 

When there's a leak, the coolant is lost together with the oil.

 

You should never allow any workshop just to "top up gas" without a proper gauge to measure the level and to replace any lost oil.

[Atrecord]

 

M113 if engine panel not closed properly cannot move off, right? That's TSR !

 

Anyway if really engine panel not closed, the heat from the engine would burn you up first, before the gas kills you!

 

 

ha ha ha… yes. got reminded of the TSR….

 

but if driver is driving open-hatch, then won't be too heated lah...

 

Aircon system needs compressor oil, aka PAG oil.

 

This oil lubricates moving parts of the compressor, as the coolant is dry and creates friction and heat.

Without the lubricant, the compressor will up lorry very fast.

It is injected into the system with a precise quantity like the low and high pressure gas line.

 

When there's a leak, the coolant is lost together with the oil.

 

You should never allow any workshop just to "top up gas" without a proper gauge to measure the level and to replace any lost oil.

 

Arrhh… yes this is useful info. Must remember it.

 

Do you know the recommended frequency for the oil replacement?

[Kb27]

 

 

Arrhh… yes this is useful info. Must remember it.

 

Do you know the recommended frequency for the oil replacement?

 

You don't normally replace oil by itself.

 

If you have insufficient coolant in the aircon system, your best bet is to go to a specialist and renew the coolant together with the oil.

The process is done by a machine which evacuates the remaining coolant and replaced it with new coolant + oil; at the same time.

 

If your aircon has any leaks, then the leaks should be fixed first.

[Mkl22]

 

Aircon system needs compressor oil, aka PAG oil.

 

This oil lubricates moving parts of the compressor, as the coolant is dry and creates friction and heat.

Without the lubricant, the compressor will up lorry very fast.

It is injected into the system with a precise quantity like the low and high pressure gas line.

 

When there's a leak, the coolant is lost together with the oil.

 

You should never allow any workshop just to "top up gas" without a proper gauge to measure the level and to replace any lost oil.

 

agreed. you only need to add oil to replace what is lost. you do not need to change the oil like engine oil. Has anyone ever changed their refrigerator compressor oil? given that it operates 24/7, shouldn't it up lorry faster? sometimes such things are snake oil by workshops to earn more.

[Lydiachristopher]

 

agreed. you only need to add oil to replace what is lost. you do not need to change the oil like engine oil. Has anyone ever changed their refrigerator compressor oil? given that it operates 24/7, shouldn't it up lorry faster? sometimes such things are snake oil by workshops to earn more.

You have to handle properly on polyolester oil with R134a refrigerant.

The lube oil tends to absorb moisture agreesively due to the oil characteristic, when the time you have oil replacement, system was open to atmosphere which contain high humidity, and vacuuming is cut short by mechanic due to save time.

System will operate in moisture + refrigerant + polyolester oil, acid will form when the time goes by.

A proper vacuum with attachment of vacuum gauge could save time on next repair + money.

[Atrecord]

 

agreed. you only need to add oil to replace what is lost. you do not need to change the oil like engine oil. Has anyone ever changed their refrigerator compressor oil? given that it operates 24/7, shouldn't it up lorry faster? sometimes such things are snake oil by workshops to earn more.

 

That's a very valid point. How come I didn't think of that when the workshop guy gave me the advice...

 

But he didn't seem like he was out to smoke me, from the various encounters...

[Johnnylim]

 

You don't normally replace oil by itself.

 

If you have insufficient coolant in the aircon system, your best bet is to go to a specialist and renew the coolant together with the oil.

The process is done by a machine which evacuates the remaining coolant and replaced it with new coolant + oil; at the same time.

 

If your aircon has any leaks, then the leaks should be fixed first.

I'm still confused. So do we need to do regular servicing for the car air-con, like our home air-con, or wait for something to happen then fixed it? Changing of Air-Con Filter at regular interval I can understand, how abt things like topping up of Air-con Gas (which I think if need means leaking somewhere) , refilling/renewing of Compressor Oil, washing of Cooling Coil? I remembered the mechanic told me car air-con servicing need to be done once a year.

[Kb27]

I'm still confused. So do we need to do regular servicing for the car air-con, like our home air-con, or wait for something to happen then fixed it? Changing of Air-Con Filter at regular interval I can understand, how abt things like topping up of Air-con Gas (which I think if need means leaking somewhere) , refilling/renewing of Compressor Oil, washing of Cooling Coil? I remembered the mechanic told me car air-con servicing need to be done once a year.

 

Ok..aircon servicing is highly debatable. Some people say you don't need to do anything until it breaks down.

 

Assuming your aircon has no leak, no problem, my suggestion is that if you want to do aircon servicing, plan for say 2 or 3 yrs once, get the aircon system coolant vacuumed out and replaced with new coolant + compressor oil. Aircon specialist shop usually charge around $40~$60 for this.

 

Replaced dryer at the same time. Another $20~$30 or so.

 

This will remove any trace of water or moisture in the system and also maintain the correct pressure in the low/high lines.

 

Some shop can clean the radiator (aircon) for you with a water pressure washer.

This will keep it clean and more efficient for the aircon gas to cool down.

Bcuz the radiator is the first one facing the road, it collects dust, debris, insects, leaves, etc.

 

The cooling or evaporator coil is much more difficult to access. So usually, this is left alone.

However, it tends to corrode there due to the cooling effect and water condensing around that area.

If you apply heat once in a while (set the temp to max hot), that may dry up that area, depending on how the air ducts are routed.

 

In case, corrosion is too much and it sprang a coolant leak at the evaporator coil, you'll need to pay a couple of hundred bucks to replace.

 

Be careful of merely "topping up gas". My house aircon didn't work properly bcuz too much gas was pumped in. The Sharp aircon guys came and release the pressure and warn about anyhow topping up gas. Too much gas can cause problem as well as too little.

[Repsol13]

Hi all

 

i am having problems with my 7.5 years old suzuki swift aircon.

 

Recently the aircon starting blowing cold air (for a period of time) then normal temp air (a period of time) then cold air aain. it alternates itself happily. it can blow normal air for a while, then cold air suddenly or vice versa. The air is cold when the air con works. The aircon button is on at all times(i've checked that). I can also "hear" the compressor run when i turn on the aircon button.

 

I did a top up and change air con filter recently. After the servicing, everything is ok, but after a couple of weeks, the problem returns. During the servicing, the mech advised me to change the air con fuse if the problem persists. I did but that does not solve the problem.

 

Does any one encounter this problem before.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[TVT]

Hi all

 

i am having problems with my 7.5 years old suzuki swift aircon.

 

Recently the aircon starting blowing cold air (for a period of time) then normal temp air (a period of time) then cold air aain. it alternates itself happily. it can blow normal air for a while, then cold air suddenly or vice versa. The air is cold when the air con works. The aircon button is on at all times(i've checked that). I can also "hear" the compressor run when i turn on the aircon button.

 

I did a top up and change air con filter recently. After the servicing, everything is ok, but after a couple of weeks, the problem returns. During the servicing, the mech advised me to change the air con fuse if the problem persists. I did but that does not solve the problem.

 

Does any one encounter this problem before.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

When you say "normal temp air", is it cool air (a bit cold), or warm air ?

 

Usually the aircon does not blow out cold air all the time. It runs a while (when compressor kicks in), then shut down (to rest). When it runs, cold air is blown out. If it shut down, cool air comes out...

 

[Atrecord]

Hi all

 

i am having problems with my 7.5 years old suzuki swift aircon.

 

Recently the aircon starting blowing cold air (for a period of time) then normal temp air (a period of time) then cold air aain. it alternates itself happily. it can blow normal air for a while, then cold air suddenly or vice versa. The air is cold when the air con works. The aircon button is on at all times(i've checked that). I can also "hear" the compressor run when i turn on the aircon button.

 

I did a top up and change air con filter recently. After the servicing, everything is ok, but after a couple of weeks, the problem returns. During the servicing, the mech advised me to change the air con fuse if the problem persists. I did but that does not solve the problem.

 

Does any one encounter this problem before.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

This sounds like what I experienced last year. Went to a/c workshop, and the guy took less than 2 min to check (after hearing description), then said the control valve faulty...

 

Replaced it in 15 min and problem solved...

[Repsol13]

 

When you say "normal temp air", is it cool air (a bit cold), or warm air ?

 

Usually the aircon does not blow out cold air all the time. It runs a while (when compressor kicks in), then shut down (to rest). When it runs, cold air is blown out. If it shut down, cool air comes out...

 

Normal temp - not cold at air. ie close the window, u prob perspire inside, at least for me.

 

sometimes, the whole journey from yishun to town n back, it will blow only normal temp air out.

 

This sounds like what I experienced last year. Went to a/c workshop, and the guy took less than 2 min to check (after hearing description), then said the control valve faulty...

 

Replaced it in 15 min and problem solved...

 

 

 

thanks for the info.

 

I was looking for a 2nd opinion before i move onto the workshop. Worried that they will just ask me to change the compressor or fan.

 

Thanks all once again!

[TVT]

Normal temp - not cold at air. ie close the window, u prob perspire inside, at least for me.

 

sometimes, the whole journey from yishun to town n back, it will blow only normal temp air out.

thanks for the info.

 

I was looking for a 2nd opinion before i move onto the workshop. Worried that they will just ask me to change the compressor or fan.

 

Thanks all once again!

 

Yes, ask for 2nd opinion elsewhere first. Best is seek opinion from those aircon specialist workshop.

[Fuelsaver]

 

This sounds like what I experienced last year. Went to a/c workshop, and the guy took less than 2 min to check (after hearing description), then said the control valve faulty...

 

Replaced it in 15 min and problem solved...

Hi bro, I believe u referring to thermal expansion valve, but changing that requires vacuuming oil n gas before dismantling, n recharging after recharging oil n gas. Can it just take 15mins or m I missing smthg?

Hi all

 

i am having problems with my 7.5 years old suzuki swift aircon.

 

Recently the aircon starting blowing cold air (for a period of time) then normal temp air (a period of time) then cold air aain. it alternates itself happily. it can blow normal air for a while, then cold air suddenly or vice versa. The air is cold when the air con works. The aircon button is on at all times(i've checked that). I can also "hear" the compressor run when i turn on the aircon button.

 

I did a top up and change air con filter recently. After the servicing, everything is ok, but after a couple of weeks, the problem returns. During the servicing, the mech advised me to change the air con fuse if the problem persists. I did but that does not solve the problem.

 

Does any one encounter this problem before.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Try cheaper option first. U replaced the fuse, now try relay. Any further will involve significant cost of few hundreds, like changing thermostat, wc may require removing part of or whole dash.

[Lydiachristopher]

If still not working, change to toyota.

 

I found that all toyota car was freaking good in aircond.

 

My E60 aircond was not even 50% of Altis aircond.

[Atrecord]

Hi bro, I believe u referring to thermal expansion valve, but changing that requires vacuuming oil n gas before dismantling, n recharging after recharging oil n gas. Can it just take 15mins or m I missing smthg?

 

 

err… solly, no expert leh. But the mechanic only took 15 min, but got 3 persons leh, 2 went underneath together changed the valve, still showed me afterwards some more. Plus show me one whole bin where it's full of this control (dunno is it the same as your thermal expansion) valves, telling me lots of vehicles this valve spoilt...

 

Confirmed got pump gas again when finished, then tested let me feel (not that I believe it there and then, cos my car was sometimes can, sometimes cannot before the repair - means sometimes still cold…).

 

Not sure if got changed oil though… which I doubt, cos bill only got labour and control valve, no oil leh...