AC Problem -99 Ford Ranger
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hewlett, USA
AC Problem -99 Ford Ranger
I have a strange odor coming from my AC ducts when the AC is on and the system is not getting cold. My mechanic says it's prob. freon leak in the condenser...is a big job? Can it be done on the drive way? How long?
Last edited by Hd410; May 30, 2006 at 11:14 PM. Reason: Type of Ford
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,392
Likes: 0
From: Greenvile, SC
Is it like a musty/mildew type smell or more like a compressed CO2/nitrog. smell (chemical)??
A/C fixes can get expensive fast. I would personally pay for the diagnostic work (provided that it is a shop/techs that know their stuff), then based upon what they find, ask yourself is it DIY friendly? Maybe even ask the tech.
A "U.V." check should be one of the test a shop would perform, I believe you can even buy the kits from an auto supply store. But the combination of the UV dye and the special glasses should be able to help pin point if any leaks are external or locate and residue dripping or oozing out of a component.
When ever I did a seal change or other "up-keep" tasks, I always had a shop- "vacuum" the remaining refrigerant out and instructed them to keep it on for at least a good 30-40 mins. Did my fix, then recharged the system myself.
A/C fixes can get expensive fast. I would personally pay for the diagnostic work (provided that it is a shop/techs that know their stuff), then based upon what they find, ask yourself is it DIY friendly? Maybe even ask the tech.
A "U.V." check should be one of the test a shop would perform, I believe you can even buy the kits from an auto supply store. But the combination of the UV dye and the special glasses should be able to help pin point if any leaks are external or locate and residue dripping or oozing out of a component.
When ever I did a seal change or other "up-keep" tasks, I always had a shop- "vacuum" the remaining refrigerant out and instructed them to keep it on for at least a good 30-40 mins. Did my fix, then recharged the system myself.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Hewlett, USA
A/C Problem
Not a musty/mildewy smell & CO doesn't smell & I don't know what nitrogen smells like...so...basically its just a very different smell & the A/C won't work. That's why I'm leaning toward a leak in the system?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
You may have a combination of problems. 1. Heater core leaking a small amount of coolant producing the smell. 2. Refrigerant leak. If the A/C quit all of a sudden (i.e., big leak) then you might smell it. If A/C performance gradually declined then I doubt there would be enough to smell. 3. Could be stopped up drain causing mold in/around evaporator. My guess is antifreeze smell plus some other A/C problem. You might find a refrigerant leak with dye (especially the ones tha glow under UV light) if it's fairly large and in a good location. Better to check with an electronic leak detector. In any case you need to add enough refrigerant to cause the compressor to run.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
Nitrogen is the largest component of air and has no smell. Refrigerant has very little, if any, at least to my old insensitive nose. Some refrigerant oils may have a slight odor but not much. I'd be supprised if you could smell something inside the cab that was due to a problem under the hood unless is was so major that the problem could easily be seen, smelled or otherwise detected immediately upon raising the hood (such as smoke, fuel vapors. etc.). I'd concentrate on fixing the A/C.first, then worry about the smell.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jerryparks
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jun 3, 2015 02:43 PM
mshargrave23
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Sep 15, 2013 12:02 PM
