A/C Problem - Quick Question

[criticman]

So other than my car being the victim of a hit and run (while parked - search for my post if you desire), the A/C died shortly before hand.

Before I go yanking all of the A/C crap out of there and getting a short belt, is there anything I should bother checking to see if I can fix it very cheaply?

It started taking longer to cool off, then one day it just stopped blowing cool air completely.

If no one has any ideas, I will just remove the system for now. If I decide to get A/C again, I will just do the R134a conversion. For now, my new daily driver keeps me nice and cool on the drive to work and classes.

 

[Jeff7477]

Probably got a leak in it. When you do the conversion use a can of StopLeak first.

 

[criticman]

If I do decide to reinstall A/C and do the conversion, I will likely be redoing all of the lines to make sure it is done properly and so that it will last another 12 years before it fails on me again.

 

[PuterAmI]

the seals are 13 years old. They typically last 5-7 years. With the little information you gave, I would hazard a guess that you are only low on refrigerant.
Looking at your sig, I wonder why you want to do something cheap. You at least would need an evacuation and reclamation, replacement of seals and accumulator, vacuum and charge. R12 is available from a shop, but it is more expensive than R134A.

If you really want cheap, go get a Death Kit from any auto parts store. If you would like to know how to properly convert to R134A, look at the link below.

http://www.knology.net/~puter/carpics/r134a.html

 

[criticman]

Heh, implying I like to spend money based on my sig? I will note I get the cheapest deal I can find when I buy.

And since R12 is so expensive, plus I am pretty sure for legal reasons you have to pay a certified mech. to do the labor. That is why I am leaning towards waiting on doing the R134a conversion - it will allow better control over repairs and parts when the time comes down the line to fix it again.

That, and as I said, I just bought a daily driver (alright, I just "financed" a daily driver for people who apparently think I spend TONS of money) that blows very cold A/C and with gas as expensive as it is, the Mustang is presently garaged so I am fine without using the cheapo R134a kits at the discount auto parts store.

 

[PuterAmI]

I am pretty sure for legal reasons you have to pay a certified mech. to do the labor.

Whoever told you that BS knows nothing about the laws governing A/C work.

It wasn't a comment about money. It was a comment about quality parts and work.
*shrug*
You get what you pay for.