A/C issues, anyone else?

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Yesterday started hearing that fluid hissing sound from the evaporator coil ya tend to hear as it becomes saturated, but it keeps on hissing. Troubleshooting a bit today, all a/c settings are about ambient temperature on the output, even max a/c, high &low side refrigerant lines feel about equal. No idiot lights popped up so unsure if the system would worn you for this. To me it could be a low gas issue though no tell-tell signs of oil from a leak, or maybe an expansion valve. Appointment for next week to scope the problem.

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[Hootbro]

I would not monkey around with trying to troubleshoot it and let the dealership deal with it. With the new R-1234yf refrigerant that is in these vehicle, even most independent shops have not bought the right servicing equipment for it nor can you even get a can of it at the parts store to top it off.

EPA has mandated this refrigerant because they do not want anybody that does not have the equipment and licensing to mess with it and that leaves the DIY fixing out of the equation.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Just out of service department, per service report, they pulled the refrigerant and recovered .025g, think this was a tad low. System was charged to 482g and cooling nicely. Somehow I don't believe I've seen the last of this issue, gas had to leak from somewhere. Time to start tracing lines and look for signs of oil.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just out of service department, per service report, they pulled the refrigerant and recovered .025g, think this was a tad low. System was charged to 482g and cooling nicely. Somehow I don't believe I've seen the last of this issue, gas had to leak from somewhere. Time to start tracing lines and look for signs of oil.

LOL - tad low. Would love to see you in the kitchen doing a recipe that calls for a pinch of something.
Yeah, I agree, it was a "tad" low for sure.
Did they comment? Heck, I've got a old car that's not gotten low enough to be a problem in 4 years, a Jeep should hold things in more than a few months.
Surprised they didn't scratch their heads and then start tracing things for leaks.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Yeah, this really needs to be under vacuum and monitored. My luck it will go out next Summer on a week of 100° days. Go back on Friday to have an egr valve replaced. So far my troubles have been minor compared to other folks, yet the last vehicle that give me this much trouble was a 72 VW Superbeatle. But it was already 15 years old, road hard & put up wet when I got it, still have it too.

 

[Trickster]

So the dealership did nothing other than evacuate the remaining refrigerant and refill?
No report on how it got low?
No check for leaks?
Seems odd.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Yeah, troubleshooting can be tricky and sometimes problem areas are very elusive, this will likely be one of those cases.

 

[Trickster]

Yeah, troubleshooting can be tricky and sometimes problem areas are very elusive, this will likely be one of those cases.

I sense a return visit in your future.

 

[Hootbro]

If they did not replace the Schrader valves on the hook up ports as a preventative measure, they are wasting their time hooking up and running a vacuum check and calling it good if it holds vacuum. They will have a false sense that everything is good but masked a possible very slow leak Schrader valve.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If they did not replace the Schrader valves on the hook up ports as a preventative measure, they are wasting their time hooking up and running a vacuum check and calling it good if it holds vacuum. They will have a false sense that everything is good but masked a possible very slow leak Schrader valve.

Good call. Even our HVAC tech who does our semi-annual heat pump checks for home just automatically replaced those when he found the system low. Said it was cheap and simple and because they'd be sealed off when he was hooked up working, any leaks there wouldn't show up easily.
In the case of the OP - the system was basically empty anyway so they wouldn't be wasting time recovering a lot of refrigerant.

 

[DobaMark]

I'm surprised they didn't add a dye to the system when recharging.

 

[Hootbro]

Good call. Even our HVAC tech who does our semi-annual heat pump checks for home just automatically replaced those when he found the system low. Said it was cheap and simple and because they'd be sealed off when he was hooked up working, any leaks there wouldn't show up easily.
In the case of the OP - the system was basically empty anyway so they wouldn't be wasting time recovering a lot of refrigerant.

Most good techs know to do this. Crap can get under the poppet of the valve seal seat if the inside is not clean and is why it is important to keep the caps on the port when not in use.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Yeah, and I've seen brand new parts be just as bad as the ones being replaced. As long as it's a warranty claim, it's just the inconvenience and thought of having the need for such repairs on a new vehicle, and this isn't the only issues, others are looming. Those will be in separate threads.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Update - truck went under the knife on December 31 for an EGR valve replacement. Go to pick up on January 5th and noticed the hissing sound from the evaporator coil again. Lost all refrigerant again, in about a week, was recharged on December 29th. Word yesterday that they are replacing the complete line-set, parts ordered and scheduled for delivery on January 17th. On a positive note, I had held on to the keys to the loaner car while inspecting my truck from the EGR/start-stop issues, so fortunately I have a ride. Service department has been great in keeping me posted with problem, cause, & remedy updates.

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