Hi Scotty:
If the A/C is blowing more cooler air on the passenger side than the drivers side, does this typically mean low Freon? I am trying to find a shop that would simply check the pressures and top up the Freon. Most shops say " Oh thats the compressor that is shot" .... I dont think this is always the case especially with a Toyota. The car only has 129,000KM I'm the original owner. Thank you.
That can definitely be a symptom of low refrigerant because the evaporator will not get uniformly cold. Trouble is with modern variable-displacement compressors you cannot diagnose low refrigerant by system pressures because the compressor will keep pressure up as much as possible even with low freon. System has to be evacuated and the factory-specified amount by weight installed. (Best of course to check for leaks first with dye or electronic detector.)
Another possibility would be a blend door problem especially if the car has dual-zone HVAC.
Thanks Chuck for the details. I now have alot more knowledge of what should be done. My challenge will be to find an honest mechanic to check this. Much appreciated.
I have a 2008 Camry LE that developed this symptom. It was ultimately and correctly diagnosed, two years ago, as an EVAP core leak. Corrosion over 11.5 years, at the time, generated that leak. The EVAP core had to be replaced. (The diagnosis came via a UV dye test, with unambiguous results)
It's an expensive job because of where the EVAP core is. The entire dash had to be removed, and the core dug out from the center of a complex web of other parts. And then, the whole thing has to be flawlessly reassembled. It was. And there's been no problems, since. By the way, the compressor was fine, and did not need to replaced.
That's not unusual. Unfortunately, R134a forms acids when exposed to moisture in the AC system and there is always a tiny amount of moisture present especially in an old car. As you experienced, in most vehicles the dash needs to be removed to get at the evaporator or heater core. Sometimes the blower as well. Frequently if one of those parts fails everything is done at the same time while in there so as not to have to take the dash apart again later.
My daily driver has the evaporator, heater core, expansion valve, and blower all under the hood but that's not typical. (Still not a picnic but better than having to remove the dashboard.)
Thanks for the comment. It's conceptually useful.
Gee thanks. I am wondering if I should bother to have it checked. It’s a good explanation of this problem. We do have a lot of moisture up here and for about 5 winters the car sat outside or in an un heated garage for up to 3 months.
I usually check for evaporator leaks using an electronic detector, sniffing around the vents and under the dash after running the AC. Any shop that works on auto air conditioning should be able to do that for you.
Also never use sealer in an air conditioning system. Not only will it probably not work, it can cause damage both to your AC and equipment used to evacuate the system.
Thanks Chuck. Its going for testing tomorrow and they apparently specialize in A/C . I like and baby the car and I think its worth keeping . I dont mind paying a necessary repair as long as they care what they are doing. Will keep you posted.
Chuck is right about the sealer. It will probably send crap into compressor and the rest of the system, destroying it. The AC unit has to be as internally sterile, ideally, as the facilities that make microprocessors. Anything other than that state creates very expensive problems.
Flash87, if they're any good, a diagnostic shop will start with a UV Dye test.
Thanks for the tip about the sealer. When I inquired with another shop a few months ago, they mentioned a sealer. I will make sure no sealer. This shop today is rated A+ with BBB. I am still crossing my fingers.
FYI The verdict today was low pressure and there were a couple of leaks detected around the condenser and the low hose due to salt damage, so the condenser and hi side liquid line and lower A/C hose need replacing. Compressor and evap checked aok. Ordering parts was an issue. So I have to return once parts are in, hopefully in a week or two. The shop ID the refridgerant, extracted it, recharged with nitrogen, tested for rate of press leak test loss over 1 hour, leak test , test run compressor..... thanks again!
That's actually good news! Congrats.
yes tks The tech said that these parts are the least expensive of the entire system.
Excellent, sounds like a pretty reasonable repair. It's always good news when you don't have to rip the dash out of the car!