High Capacity Air
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High Capacity Air
Greetings all, my 1989 Club Wagon will not hold a refrigerant charge for more than a few months. It has the factory auxiliary air and I have recharged it several times. I even had the dealer go through and replace all the O-rings in the system. Does anyone have any experience with this system. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Obviously you have a leak somewhere---instead of recharging the system every few months time to have a leak dectector dye added to find out just where it's leaking.
If the compresssor is original that's one place to start looking. The refrigerant lines running under the van are highly suspectible to weather destroying them so this is another area to check.
Given the year of your van its possible one of the hard components has developed a small crack just because its considered quite old by vehicle standards. Constant vibrations and bouncing around for 20 years takes a toll.
I don't know a dealership is the best place for any type of service that requires any bit of trouble shooting or diagnosis. Its far easier for them to keep on recharging your system for $100 a trip several times a year than just find and fix the real leak. Time to find a good shop dedicated to repairing your system instead of keep digging into your pocket.
If the compresssor is original that's one place to start looking. The refrigerant lines running under the van are highly suspectible to weather destroying them so this is another area to check.
Given the year of your van its possible one of the hard components has developed a small crack just because its considered quite old by vehicle standards. Constant vibrations and bouncing around for 20 years takes a toll.
I don't know a dealership is the best place for any type of service that requires any bit of trouble shooting or diagnosis. Its far easier for them to keep on recharging your system for $100 a trip several times a year than just find and fix the real leak. Time to find a good shop dedicated to repairing your system instead of keep digging into your pocket.
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Thank you for the response JWA. I didn't know about the dye method of looking for a leak. When I recharged the system in the past they checked for leaks but I am sure they did not use a dye. I have owned the van since new and this problem has been there since the first few years. The first recharge was covered by the dealer. I think I will look for a repair shop and go from there. Thanks for the advice.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
No problem David--glad to help!
I believe its possible for you to buy and add the dye yourself--check with someplace like NAPA, AutoZone or one of those outfits. Most dyes used by the pro's is visible only with a UV lamp but the "consumer" versions will be colored and easily seen. You might also simply look for compressor oil leaks around any fittings or along the rear unit hoses. Of course its possible the oil has all leaked out which might be another cause of frequent need to re-charge.
Do keep in mind if a compressor change is called for it will be one designed to function with R-134a instead of the R-12 model now most likely still running.
A/C systems like yours aren't cheap to maintain and as I said age takes a toll on it. 22 years is an amazing life span------sadly might be time to dump some more serious money into it if you plan keeping that van.
Best of luck---its only money after all right?
I believe its possible for you to buy and add the dye yourself--check with someplace like NAPA, AutoZone or one of those outfits. Most dyes used by the pro's is visible only with a UV lamp but the "consumer" versions will be colored and easily seen. You might also simply look for compressor oil leaks around any fittings or along the rear unit hoses. Of course its possible the oil has all leaked out which might be another cause of frequent need to re-charge.
Do keep in mind if a compressor change is called for it will be one designed to function with R-134a instead of the R-12 model now most likely still running.
A/C systems like yours aren't cheap to maintain and as I said age takes a toll on it. 22 years is an amazing life span------sadly might be time to dump some more serious money into it if you plan keeping that van.
Best of luck---its only money after all right?
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Thanks JWA, I like the idea of being able to check for leaks myself. My van is as new as a 21 year old vehicle can be. Very low mileage, never driven in the winter months, and always has been garage kept. I think my problems are more a case of not being used than parts being worn out. I have heard rumors of design problems with the high capacity air and all the extra plumbing that is required. Have you ever heard of these problems? I realize I still have to identify the source of the leak I just hope that maybe someone has discovered some common problems with these systems. Thanks for all of your suggestions, appreciate them.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
David you may have touched upon the very thing that's confusing about a low mileage vehicle obviously so well maintained as yours----no use equals problems! I mentioned the A/C system oil being an important component so without its circulation sealing o-rings and other gasketed fittings dry out and crack leaving a leak.
The long hose lengths aren't the highest quality even OEM for their location weather wise so its possible they too are the culprits. Again, look for tell tale signs of oil spots anywhere along their lengths.
I know you're looking for something specific but just the age suggests its probably not a complicated repair. The key will be finding a good independent shop who'll take the time to troubleshoot your system.
BTW that's a great vehicle and has certainly earned its money after all these years in use----a man after my own heart!
The long hose lengths aren't the highest quality even OEM for their location weather wise so its possible they too are the culprits. Again, look for tell tale signs of oil spots anywhere along their lengths.
I know you're looking for something specific but just the age suggests its probably not a complicated repair. The key will be finding a good independent shop who'll take the time to troubleshoot your system.
BTW that's a great vehicle and has certainly earned its money after all these years in use----a man after my own heart!
