I know about inside the trunk, but the wiper part idk, cause I was gonna replace the motor from one at the junkyard, it had the wiper assembly off, but under it was a big bolt, and I wasn't able to take my wiper blade or arm off
@TheAandrew52 You kind of have to 'smack it' to knock it loose after you get the nut off, sometimes you need a puller but I don't often find that to be the case.
ohh, I wouldn't of never known.. thanks for the reply too.. and yeah, I've tried getting the rear motor off but I can't figure it out at all lol I thought it would of been easy
neither of my fans ever turn on, and I also have a heater core leak, but my heater works fine (when I let my car warm up and when I'm driving) I'm not really sure what to think anymore.. help me? I have a 1990 acura integra gs (oh and can you put a video on how to replace rear wiper blade motors?) Thanks
@TheAandrew52 If you know you have a leaking heater core it should be addressed as the air in the cooling system that results from a coolant leak will not allow the fans to work properly. If I get the opportunity to make that video I will but keep in mind in order for that to happen the same vehicle needs to come in with the same issue. Good luck.
I wanted to ask you about some A/C troubles i am having and if you can help me troubleshoot the problem.
I have a 1993 Subaru Liberty (Legacy in America) and when i was driving once with the A/C on the motor started lose power and a gas smell filled the car cab so i pulled the car over and turned the A/C off and the engine started running fine again.
What could be creating drag on the compressor pulley? Thanks.
@iloveheavymetal1 It could be that your compressor has failed, this could spell real trouble as with some compressor failures it can ruin the entire system.
@iloveheavymetal1 It sounds like it may be an electrical issue, you might want to take it to a professional to have it properly diagnosed, AC problems can be complicated to solve even for seasoned technicians.
@markco30 The compressor is at it's most efficient when at 2K or higher, if you are testing what the system for what it can do you want to give it a chance to perform in it's operating range. Great question BTW.
Hi Eric. I have a Honda accord V6 95. The Ac is not too cold even after recharge . I noticed that when i turn on the AC there is no water coming out of the AC drain hose (is it normal). On the hand there is no water puddle inside the car. Another problem is bad smell when I turn on my fan whether AC is on or not. I noticed there is a foam piece (acts like a filter) attached to blower fan housing. I wonder if that piece needs to be taken out as its old and causing the odor. Please advice. Thanks
@manu175 AC problems are always more complicated than most people give credit especially on older cars that used to run R12, I would recommend you take it to a professional to be properly diagnosed. I don't believe that 'filter' has anything to do with it. Good luck.
@MrDookie2011 Eventually yes but keep in mind my videos are based off of the work that comes into my shop so I have to wait till a car comes in that needs that service and I need the time to video the repair.
I would have to disagree with your reasoning for having the fresh air on while testing the temperature. When you have your A/C on in 90 degree weather, you want it as cold as possible, this is done by recirculating the already conditioned air back through the evaporator for further conditioning. You said in the video a 30-40 degree drop would be the A/C performing at its "optimum." In order for the A/C system to perform at its optimum level, Recirculation must be on.
@writerofwriters69 That's true but that would not be an accurate measure of performance, you want to subject the system to the worst conditions possible to measure it's performance not make it easy for it.
Hey Eric, why do you turn the recirculate off when you measure vent temps? Every other method, including repair manuals, says to turn the recirculate on and have the fans on high? Thanks
@Drew99GT I've never seen that in the service manual but your trying to measure the cooling systems' ability to cool the air coming in from the outside, not cool the air inside the passenger compartment as that would not be an accurate measure of performance in my opinion.
@Vivianpham105 No, in fact I doubt you could even factor that into the equation. I think the reason they want it on low is because they have established that as the benchmark reading, if it can perform at it's lowest setting it's reasonable to assume it will also work at higher speeds.
Eric, what are your thought on the do-it-yourself refill kits that I see at places like Wal-Mart that are a combo can of 134a refrigerant and pressure gauge? These things look to good to be true to me....
@jcb1972 Those are very high cost and the "Gauge" on it is not proper. You have two readings that you have to look at and you have to have the insight of what it should be. Its best to buy the cheap bottles and have all the proper tools. Such as 2 dial guage, hoses and vaucume pumps.
hey,I have a question,is truth if we put a better "Fan Clutch" the AC well cold better,im just saying this because there are two fan clutch at the autozone and Oreilly,one is the normal fan clutch and the other one is like heavy duty fan clutch,so what do you think....
@mrdodgeram1999 If you can move more air through the condenser the AC should work more efficiently but whether or not it will cool better will depend on the pressures in the system.
@EricTheCarGuy hey Eric, i researched this a lot but still kind of confused. how and from where does the ac withdraw humidity from the car to make it cold? when if you put your hands on the vents you feel cold air coming IN not going out.
@jambe1234567 I'm not exactly clear on what your question is. As for humidity it pulls it out of the air in the same way a glass of water gets sweat on it on a warm day. If you have airflow going into the vents instead of out then you probably have a problem with the air mix doors inside of the HVAC or the blower motor is wired up incorrectly.
@jambe1234567 I would recommend you watch the video I did on AC operation as I go through the explanation of how AC works and why it works the way it does.
@jambe1234567 There is a blower or more known as a fan under the dash or hood that has a "door" that decides if it wants to use the inside air or outside. It blows the chosen air over a coil that is cool. It sucks the heat out of the air and puts the heat out side of the car and lets you have cool air. The AC has a gas that is used to take in the heat than it goes to the outside coil and it sucks out the hot and goes into the inside coil and it takes out the hot make'n the air cool.
@Flysohighx21 Make sure your condenser is free of debris for starters, replace your cabin air filter if you have one and if after all that you still suspect it can do better take it to a professional to have the pressures checked to see if it's functioning as good as it can.
Hey Eric i have a question, why does my car's ac compressor clicks hard in the morning when i go to work? it clicks hard again when i drive home from work once the car has cooled off? The hard click only happens when the car has been parked for a few hours. After the initial click, the compressor engages fine. Any help would be appreciate it.
@tmz90 I'm not sure really but it may be that there is too much oil in the system or that the compressor stiffens up after it sits but after it warms up it's fine. I would not worry about it unless your AC performance is compromised.
My system was R12 but I opted for a retrokit to R134a, but it dint have all they recommend to convert. Ofcourse I guess thats what you get for $40 compared to the dealer that wanted over $400 .. It still works good, the tricky part was learning how to read the gauge properly/ adding the refrig, well for me it was.
Good point on finding leaks first, when i had R12, I found the schrader valve at the service port was leaking, I could see oil coming to the top, tightening fixed it.
Hey Eric the A.C clutch turns on even when I don't use the A/C it will click on every 5-6 seconds it is a 2001 Mercury Sable. Any advice you could give me or is that normal?
Great video Eric. My nissan sentra ac air is not that cold, the clutch clicks in. What do you think of those do it yourself refill freon you can buy at autozone? Does freon eventually leak from your car?
@tmz90 I recommend taking it to a professional as there could be more than one issue that can cause poor cooling and if there is a leak it needs to be repaired or else your just wasting your money trying to put more in as it will just leak out.
So it is normal for the compressor to shut on and off because the first 2 cans I put in the fans and compressor ran continuously but when I added the 3rd can the compressor comes on and off . Also there is an item they sell, you put it on your AC line and it helps the cooling efficiency, I haven't tried it but when I do I'll post my result
@kidcool1977 I don't recommend doing it that way as you really should be reading the pressures to ensure you have the proper charge as well as vacuuming the system down to check for leaks first before you charge it to prevent moisture from ruing the system.
@EricTheCarGuy how do you vaccum the system?, I have a gauge with a dial on it and it tells me if the system is low or not but as I had posted prior I have added 3 cans and the system was blowing cold air but 2 days later the compressor is not kicking on, neighter fans are running. Can you tell me at the top of your head what the issue may be?
@kidcool1977 One thing your leaking it all out. Once it is out you could be low on oil and so on. You need to find the leak and than go to a auto parts store and ask to use a "Vacume Pump" Hook it up to your service port and suck it down to I think 30 degrees below. Once you have reached that you need to fill it with about three cans of R134a. You may need to get a can of ester oil for it and put one can in than the can of ester oil than the other can. You may need more than 2.
@kidcool1977 You have to go threw the gauges. I am not sure what it should read. Once you have reached the right pressure its set. If it still does not work you have some other problems and I would advise taking it to a pro. If you have any other ?'s just PM me. My father works on ACs for his job. I can ask him any questions if you would like.
@kidcool1977 UV dye. I think some small cans of R134a have it in it. It will be purple if it does I think. Or it comes in a cratrage that you put a hose on going to the system and one going to the bottle of R134a and you and send the R134a threw.
Hay carguy performance update is coming soon but I have a a/c question my a/c is good and cold but air doesn't come out of vents it only comes auto windshield vents your inof would be appreciated
@Miamiguy82 At first I was going to suggest replacing your cabin filter but you may have a problem with the doors in the HVAC that control airflow, this could be that they are not getting the signals that they need or some other issue, you'll have to check the service manual for your vehicle to be honest.
For those with possible A/C problems in a VAG vehicle you may have an issue with the slow speed cooling fan circuit. This is a known problem of Volkswagen whereas the position, where the cooling fan should run when A/C is engaged, has blown. This causes the high speed to switch on every 20 secs or so which puts a heavy load on the 40A fuse on top of the battery. Keep in mind that when the high speed blows this fuse you no longer have engine cooling!
etcg- i was just recharching my accord and it turns out one of my o-rings on the manifold ontop of the compressor is leaking have u used or know of any sealers that would work? autozone has one by Quest called super seal. have u herad anything bout it...thank u big fan btw.
@702franklin sounds like an easy fix dont use the sealer . also if it's the high side line I don't think it would work anyway. dont do it . 25 cent o ring
cars air compressors are such a pain in the ass !! they lose their efficiency by time and they cost you a fortune to replace them with a new ones! that's why i do not care much about A/C in my cars, just drive and sweat. best advice for those of you who want to keep their A/C efficiency long as possible is by turning the A/C off when you over speeding . thank you for the Video etcg.
@TeDuaMalakie get junk yard compressors . most are in good shape. I think that more than compressors efficiency is lost threw condensers evaporators and driers
ever since i found your youtube page last year i have watched almost all of your videos they are all great. i think it is funny that just about all of your videos have been posted within a few days before or after i go over the subject in my auto class lol
you have to be careful when cleaning the condenser, use a low pressure water and a soft bursh and use a soft force as the fins are very delicate and can bend easy
this is from my cars user manual
and for those who have a pre 94 car your car may use R-12 which is no longer used and is banned, cars after 94 use R134a
My 1982 Corolla still uses R12, I haven't converted yet, leak was found and fixed 6 years ago, and the AC still works. The most important thing in this vid: FIX the leak, no telling how much longer your system will last.
I wonder when will Eric show how to take the a/c apart, put it back, do an evacuation and recharge the correct way. I have a leak on my suction hose. the refrigerant already all leaked out along with some of the oil. I wonder how much and the type of pag oil to put back in. I cant wait. It is getting warmer and warmer here down south.
@jvjong1 It may be some time as I'm leery about doing those videos as most people do not posses the proper equipment to deal with AC properly however I'm sure it would be a popular series. Thanks for the comment.
When I slow down I feel a tapping or bumping in the brake pedal and I hear a rough noise coming from the right wheel. I looked at the brake pads and the outer pad still has plenty of material on it, but the inner pad has a lot less than the outer pad. Also, the inner pad looks like it is not contacting the entire rotor. There is an are that looks really smooth but it shouldn't be that smooth? Any ideas on what it could be?
@chicks123 Could be caliper slides or the brake pad sticking or a caliper problem. Watch the video I did on Disc Brake replacement for details on how to lube and deal with those parts.
@chicks123 rotors should look like glass when working properly . check another car with good brakes to see what a rotor should look like . preferably a new car
If all else fails, & you have a van or pickup, you can usually add a small, soft start, 5000 BTU window AC (under 625 Watts) 9.7 EER or better in a spare window if so equipped, or even cut out a hole in the body to accommodate. Plug this into an eBay $100, 2k/4k surge DC to AC inverter & stay cooler lol
i purchased a 1994 crown vic/ex-cop car with a locked up compressor just wondering is it worth fixing, i could replace the compressor myself but i don't know weather or not they rent out the vaccum pump to evac the system, i can't afford to buy one and i know the shops will charge 3 arms and 2 legs lol
@infinity3jif It may be more than that, whenever you have a compressor go it has the potential to send metal all throughout the system messing everything up that's why many reman compressors come with a filter that must be installed. My point is that in addition to being able to evacuate the system it may need to be flushed for the new compressor to last.
@infinity3jif my first vacuum pump was an refrigerator compressor . soldered some fitting on the suction line and it does the trick . It will even remove moisture if you run your car and get every thing hot do this on a hot day and turn your heater on to get the evap hot also
@Michiganborn1969 R134 or any inert gas is deadly if enough of it is inhaled in large quantities because it will displace the oxygen in your lungs and cause asphyxia. This is the danger they're alluding to but not explaining.
These gases are everywhere nitrogen in tires, argon or Co2 used for welding, carbon monoxide from exhaust etc. You'd have to intentionally concentrate and inhale these substances though.
As long as you have proper ventilation when working there is no need to be afraid.
Thanks for ythe reply. I guess if it came down to it. I could just work on the hardware parts (compressors & hoses) myself & leave the gases to the experts. Guess with the discriptions of some of the deadly gases you mentioned I suppose I better try cutting back if not quitting all together on the Pall Malls lol.
@Michiganborn1969 It's not deadly but the environmental concerns are real and I wouldn't be surprised if they make it so you have to have a license to use 134 in the same way they did with R12 at some point. You really need the proper equipment and a good working knowledge of AC to be effective all that aside.
@EricTheCarGuy 134a has a hydrogen atom in its make up so it doesn't rise to damage the ozone but attracts moisture and keeps it down here causing green house damage. some scientist are saying this is worse. anyway I think the real problem was that DuPont's patten was expiring.
@Michiganborn1969 the only time this gas is deadly is if you burn it as getting it suck in your intake . then what will come out of the exhaust pipe is a nerve gas that was used in ww1. the small amout used in cars is very unlikely to replace the air you breath . Ive worked on old gmc busses that had 80 lbs. of freon and would bust lines wide open and never had a problem. this stuff is heaver than air so maybe if you fill up a pit with the gas
Thanks for the reply, Now I feel a little bit better about working around the stuff, I just hope some terrorest group don't know about making the poor mans nerve gas. I didn't know those old buses used that much freon. I drive bus myself but it's a bus body placed on an Internatonal 3200 truck frame. Was the buses you worked on the old GM's RTS2?
@Michiganborn1969 no they where just gm's later I worked on rts's they only used 12 or 16 lbs I forget. interesting fact ---carrier compressors in rts's where 12 ton units. (rated at 10) sounds like over kill but a bus is basically a tin can with no insulation and wall to wall heat releasing humans inside. my house has a 2 1/2 ton unit in Florida. that was a different world back in the 70's when a blower motor weighed twice as much as my civic tranny and you put it in with a tranny jack
@EricTheCarGuy Does getting a A/C Performance service help with my A/C? I have the OEM refrigerant and my car is from 2002. But still is cold but cools slowly.
@Flysohighx21 do what etcg says and if that doesn't work check your return line (suction line) it should be sweating ,on a hot day, if not there is a problem
i had a 87 accord with a r12 system. the system was empty so i just put in a couple cans of r134 and that ac worked perfectly for 9 years. i only had to add about half a can a year. i spliced the end of a r12 hose onto a r134 hose. i don't suggest using adapters cause they leak. the secret to my success was the fact that i also used the ac in the winter to defog. never changed o rings or anything. my method was add oil til it got cold then stop right away to avoid over fill.
forgot to mention, i made sure the system was empty then i added a whole tiny can of pag or ester oil. i think that is why it lasted so long. that ac was super cold. you actually don't need a kit. i figure, if you cant get any more r12 or don't want to pay the crazy price for it, you might as well try it, cause if it messes up the system , you were going to be without ac anyway. i also think you can by r12 on ebay for eight bucks a can.
@lineartechbd1600 When you buy a 'retrofit' kit at the dealer it's just those adapters in a small box and a can of new oil. It would have been better if you could have evacuated the system before you put the 134A in but what you did really isn't all that different than what you would get at the dealer is my point.
@lineartechbd1600 I don't think this is true r-12. they have some stuff out there that is flamable and can explode . mixture of butane and other stuff. at 8 bucks a can that's cheaper than I can get 134 for ( about 10 bucks at florida autozones
@MeowJW Whoever told you that was lying if you're in the US.
R12 is illegal to produce new in the US however reclaimed R12 (refrigerant already in the US and removed from old devices and recycled) can be used to recharge the system. However R12 is getting increasingly expensive as the supplies dwindle. You need an EPA certification a section 609 license to buy reclaimed R12 though.
@EricTheCarGuy I think this is only true when you put 134 in a sys that was set up for 12 making it seem like the 12 is a better freon . yes the 134 has higher head pressure but that is compensated buy a larger condenser and hi side lines. the boiling point pressures are basically the same so you can easily get that freon down to the 32 degree point.( proof is that the expansion vlvs works in either one.) If I had a choice I would want r-12 in a 134a set up with an adjustable exp. vlv.
@americantractors I have lots of experience and the tools to do this kind of work and don't recommend that anyone that doesn't understand the system or has the proper equipment to work on AC as I've seen a lot of problems caused not to mention the environmental issues.
@americantractors if you have a leak detector you can pull the drain tub in to the cabin . dont run the car. leave it like this over night and in the morning (since freon is heavier than air ) check the floor where the tube is and if there is a leak it will accumulate on the floor . try not to disturbe the air when opening the door. If it is a big leak just put the leak detector up the tube
@hobieslug45 I do have a sniffer and that would work, good tip. I however, do not like the sniffer as much as the dye because mine is a lower quality and often gives me false readings. I replaced the evaporator but still have to evacuate the system with the vacuum pump and refill it so i will see tonight if the problem is fixed. Thanks
@americantractors yeah what I found out about electronic leak detectors is that they are hit and miss and price has nothing to do with accuracy. when I ran an a/c dept. I bought about 6 to 8 detectors and finally settled on a cheaper one that worked great. even on the smallest of leaks. other products I've had success with is the soap solutions like snoop or soaps that resemble liquid tire removing soaps. excellent on fittings
I really need this A/C help - it's as though it works on and off. When I turn on the car and the A/C, the air coming out is not cold, the compressor clutch is not engaged, etc. Occasionally, while driving, I'll get a blast of cold air all of a sudden that holds for a while. Every time I check under the hood, the compressor is not spinning - it's as if it doesn't want me to catch it working. I thought there might have been a leak in the high side (bad o-ring), but there's still pressure there!
@polypolyman You might want to take it in to get professionally checked as it's not likely that it's working intermittently as you suggest I think it might be more likely that it's not working at all but sometimes you get to a cold spot and it makes it through the vents. The fact is that I don't know for sure so I would recommend taking it to someone that has the proper equipment to diagnose it.
@EricTheCarGuy I brought the car ('02 wrx wagon, btw) to my uncle for an unrelated problem, but he's also a master A/C technician. Without putting any gauges on, just by what I told him (system still has some pressure, occasionally hits a cold spot), he thought that my low side pressure was probably just a little low (he left his gauges at work, so couldn't say for sure), and that I should throw a can in. I'll do that, and see what comes of it.
@polypolyman try jumping out your pressure switch for a second or two . not too long because you might have a high head pressure problem . all ways helps to mention the car make and model. If you have gauges put them on for this test
@EricTheCarGuy
okay thanks, ill try that
TheAandrew52 3 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy
I know about inside the trunk, but the wiper part idk, cause I was gonna replace the motor from one at the junkyard, it had the wiper assembly off, but under it was a big bolt, and I wasn't able to take my wiper blade or arm off
TheAandrew52 3 months ago
@TheAandrew52 You kind of have to 'smack it' to knock it loose after you get the nut off, sometimes you need a puller but I don't often find that to be the case.
EricTheCarGuy 3 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy
ohh, I wouldn't of never known.. thanks for the reply too.. and yeah, I've tried getting the rear motor off but I can't figure it out at all lol I thought it would of been easy
TheAandrew52 3 months ago
@TheAandrew52 You remove the motor from the inside, it's only held on by 3 fasteners if I'm not mistaken, remember to take the wiper off first.
EricTheCarGuy 3 months ago
@ericthecarguy
neither of my fans ever turn on, and I also have a heater core leak, but my heater works fine (when I let my car warm up and when I'm driving) I'm not really sure what to think anymore.. help me? I have a 1990 acura integra gs (oh and can you put a video on how to replace rear wiper blade motors?) Thanks
TheAandrew52 3 months ago
@TheAandrew52 If you know you have a leaking heater core it should be addressed as the air in the cooling system that results from a coolant leak will not allow the fans to work properly. If I get the opportunity to make that video I will but keep in mind in order for that to happen the same vehicle needs to come in with the same issue. Good luck.
EricTheCarGuy 3 months ago
Hey Eric,
I wanted to ask you about some A/C troubles i am having and if you can help me troubleshoot the problem.
I have a 1993 Subaru Liberty (Legacy in America) and when i was driving once with the A/C on the motor started lose power and a gas smell filled the car cab so i pulled the car over and turned the A/C off and the engine started running fine again.
What could be creating drag on the compressor pulley? Thanks.
iloveheavymetal1 5 months ago
@iloveheavymetal1 It could be that your compressor has failed, this could spell real trouble as with some compressor failures it can ruin the entire system.
EricTheCarGuy 5 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy I turned it on yesterday and it started working well again :S
But if this is the case, do i need a new compressor, condensor, receiver drier and evaporator?
And thanks for the reply mate.
iloveheavymetal1 5 months ago
@iloveheavymetal1 It sounds like it may be an electrical issue, you might want to take it to a professional to have it properly diagnosed, AC problems can be complicated to solve even for seasoned technicians.
EricTheCarGuy 5 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy Okay thanks Eric, your a legend mate.
iloveheavymetal1 5 months ago
@iloveheavymetal1 I'm just happy to help. Good luck and keep me posted.
EricTheCarGuy 5 months ago
@ericthecarguy why do you raise the rpms?
markco30 6 months ago
@markco30 The compressor is at it's most efficient when at 2K or higher, if you are testing what the system for what it can do you want to give it a chance to perform in it's operating range. Great question BTW.
EricTheCarGuy 5 months ago
Hi Eric. I have a Honda accord V6 95. The Ac is not too cold even after recharge . I noticed that when i turn on the AC there is no water coming out of the AC drain hose (is it normal). On the hand there is no water puddle inside the car. Another problem is bad smell when I turn on my fan whether AC is on or not. I noticed there is a foam piece (acts like a filter) attached to blower fan housing. I wonder if that piece needs to be taken out as its old and causing the odor. Please advice. Thanks
manu175 6 months ago
@manu175 AC problems are always more complicated than most people give credit especially on older cars that used to run R12, I would recommend you take it to a professional to be properly diagnosed. I don't believe that 'filter' has anything to do with it. Good luck.
EricTheCarGuy 6 months ago
Please can you make a video on replacing the AC compressor, discharge and recharge ?
MrDookie2011 6 months ago
@MrDookie2011 Eventually yes but keep in mind my videos are based off of the work that comes into my shop so I have to wait till a car comes in that needs that service and I need the time to video the repair.
EricTheCarGuy 6 months ago
I would have to disagree with your reasoning for having the fresh air on while testing the temperature. When you have your A/C on in 90 degree weather, you want it as cold as possible, this is done by recirculating the already conditioned air back through the evaporator for further conditioning. You said in the video a 30-40 degree drop would be the A/C performing at its "optimum." In order for the A/C system to perform at its optimum level, Recirculation must be on.
writerofwriters69 6 months ago
@writerofwriters69 That's true but that would not be an accurate measure of performance, you want to subject the system to the worst conditions possible to measure it's performance not make it easy for it.
EricTheCarGuy 6 months ago
Hey Eric, why do you turn the recirculate off when you measure vent temps? Every other method, including repair manuals, says to turn the recirculate on and have the fans on high? Thanks
Drew99GT 7 months ago
@Drew99GT I've never seen that in the service manual but your trying to measure the cooling systems' ability to cool the air coming in from the outside, not cool the air inside the passenger compartment as that would not be an accurate measure of performance in my opinion.
EricTheCarGuy 6 months ago
With fan speed on low, will the resistor in the fan speed control give out some heat to throw off the reading?
Vivianpham105 7 months ago
@Vivianpham105 No, in fact I doubt you could even factor that into the equation. I think the reason they want it on low is because they have established that as the benchmark reading, if it can perform at it's lowest setting it's reasonable to assume it will also work at higher speeds.
EricTheCarGuy 7 months ago
Eric, what are your thought on the do-it-yourself refill kits that I see at places like Wal-Mart that are a combo can of 134a refrigerant and pressure gauge? These things look to good to be true to me....
jcb1972 7 months ago
@jcb1972 Unless you have a proper set of gauges and know what your looking at I don't recommend it.
EricTheCarGuy 7 months ago
@jcb1972 Those are very high cost and the "Gauge" on it is not proper. You have two readings that you have to look at and you have to have the insight of what it should be. Its best to buy the cheap bottles and have all the proper tools. Such as 2 dial guage, hoses and vaucume pumps.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
hey,I have a question,is truth if we put a better "Fan Clutch" the AC well cold better,im just saying this because there are two fan clutch at the autozone and Oreilly,one is the normal fan clutch and the other one is like heavy duty fan clutch,so what do you think....
mrdodgeram1999 8 months ago
@mrdodgeram1999 If you can move more air through the condenser the AC should work more efficiently but whether or not it will cool better will depend on the pressures in the system.
EricTheCarGuy 8 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy hey Eric, i researched this a lot but still kind of confused. how and from where does the ac withdraw humidity from the car to make it cold? when if you put your hands on the vents you feel cold air coming IN not going out.
thanks
jambe1234567 8 months ago
@jambe1234567 I'm not exactly clear on what your question is. As for humidity it pulls it out of the air in the same way a glass of water gets sweat on it on a warm day. If you have airflow going into the vents instead of out then you probably have a problem with the air mix doors inside of the HVAC or the blower motor is wired up incorrectly.
EricTheCarGuy 8 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy well the principle is that it takes the hot air from inside the car and transfers it outside?
how does it do it, is there like a vacuum that sucks the air from inside through the vents? or does it blow cold air in only?
thanks
jambe1234567 8 months ago
@jambe1234567 I would recommend you watch the video I did on AC operation as I go through the explanation of how AC works and why it works the way it does.
EricTheCarGuy 8 months ago
@jambe1234567 There is a blower or more known as a fan under the dash or hood that has a "door" that decides if it wants to use the inside air or outside. It blows the chosen air over a coil that is cool. It sucks the heat out of the air and puts the heat out side of the car and lets you have cool air. The AC has a gas that is used to take in the heat than it goes to the outside coil and it sucks out the hot and goes into the inside coil and it takes out the hot make'n the air cool.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
Eric, How can i make my A/C colder?
Flysohighx21 8 months ago
@Flysohighx21 Make sure your condenser is free of debris for starters, replace your cabin air filter if you have one and if after all that you still suspect it can do better take it to a professional to have the pressures checked to see if it's functioning as good as it can.
EricTheCarGuy 8 months ago
Hey Eric i have a question, why does my car's ac compressor clicks hard in the morning when i go to work? it clicks hard again when i drive home from work once the car has cooled off? The hard click only happens when the car has been parked for a few hours. After the initial click, the compressor engages fine. Any help would be appreciate it.
tmz90 8 months ago
@tmz90 I'm not sure really but it may be that there is too much oil in the system or that the compressor stiffens up after it sits but after it warms up it's fine. I would not worry about it unless your AC performance is compromised.
EricTheCarGuy 8 months ago
What does it mean when the ac blows cold only when I'm moving or at night? I live in Texas its 100 degrees here.
01281GT 9 months ago
@01281GT Check your cooling fans to see if they are operational when the AC is engaged, if not you probably have a problem in the fan circuit.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
My system was R12 but I opted for a retrokit to R134a, but it dint have all they recommend to convert. Ofcourse I guess thats what you get for $40 compared to the dealer that wanted over $400 .. It still works good, the tricky part was learning how to read the gauge properly/ adding the refrig, well for me it was.
Good point on finding leaks first, when i had R12, I found the schrader valve at the service port was leaking, I could see oil coming to the top, tightening fixed it.
hubbleISS 9 months ago
@hubbleISS That's probably the most common place for a system to leak. Thanks for your comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Hey Eric the A.C clutch turns on even when I don't use the A/C it will click on every 5-6 seconds it is a 2001 Mercury Sable. Any advice you could give me or is that normal?
Chris07860 9 months ago
@Chris07860 If your set to defrost it's normal. Most HVAC systems turn on the AC during defrost to make it work more efficiently.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@Chris07860 No this is on having just the regualr controls on for upper body and lower body
Chris07860 9 months ago
thanks for the tip buddy
Miamiguy82 9 months ago
@Miamiguy82 Thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
No. YOU stay cool, Fonzie. lol Thanks for these videos Eric. Great supplement to my education that I'm paying so dearly for.
JTheGuitarPlayer 9 months ago
@JTheGuitarPlayer Glad to be of service, thanks for your comment and good luck in school.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Clarify for us old guys what is a VAG vehicle :P
ndiboomer 9 months ago
@ndiboomer Volkswagen Auto group (well, really the german name -Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft)
polypolyman 9 months ago
great tips
metalxesp 9 months ago
Great video Eric, question; does the coolant level ( radiator) effect the performance of the AC system?
backlineguy48 9 months ago
@backlineguy48 Yes, the cooling system needs to be working properly for the best cooling performance.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Great video Eric. My nissan sentra ac air is not that cold, the clutch clicks in. What do you think of those do it yourself refill freon you can buy at autozone? Does freon eventually leak from your car?
tmz90 9 months ago
@tmz90 I recommend taking it to a professional as there could be more than one issue that can cause poor cooling and if there is a leak it needs to be repaired or else your just wasting your money trying to put more in as it will just leak out.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
So it is normal for the compressor to shut on and off because the first 2 cans I put in the fans and compressor ran continuously but when I added the 3rd can the compressor comes on and off . Also there is an item they sell, you put it on your AC line and it helps the cooling efficiency, I haven't tried it but when I do I'll post my result
kidcool1977 9 months ago
@kidcool1977 I don't recommend doing it that way as you really should be reading the pressures to ensure you have the proper charge as well as vacuuming the system down to check for leaks first before you charge it to prevent moisture from ruing the system.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy how do you vaccum the system?, I have a gauge with a dial on it and it tells me if the system is low or not but as I had posted prior I have added 3 cans and the system was blowing cold air but 2 days later the compressor is not kicking on, neighter fans are running. Can you tell me at the top of your head what the issue may be?
kidcool1977 9 months ago
@kidcool1977 One thing your leaking it all out. Once it is out you could be low on oil and so on. You need to find the leak and than go to a auto parts store and ask to use a "Vacume Pump" Hook it up to your service port and suck it down to I think 30 degrees below. Once you have reached that you need to fill it with about three cans of R134a. You may need to get a can of ester oil for it and put one can in than the can of ester oil than the other can. You may need more than 2.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
@kidcool1977 You have to go threw the gauges. I am not sure what it should read. Once you have reached the right pressure its set. If it still does not work you have some other problems and I would advise taking it to a pro. If you have any other ?'s just PM me. My father works on ACs for his job. I can ask him any questions if you would like.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
@GmTruckCarLove I'll try your technique first because I am to poor to take it to a professional.
First and foremost can I use a uv light to find the leak?
kidcool1977 7 months ago
@kidcool1977 I think you need a special stuff that you put into it. R134a will not glow as far as I know.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
@GmTruckCarLove can you find out from your dad what the stuff is, I would greatly appreciate it.
kidcool1977 7 months ago
@kidcool1977 UV dye. I think some small cans of R134a have it in it. It will be purple if it does I think. Or it comes in a cratrage that you put a hose on going to the system and one going to the bottle of R134a and you and send the R134a threw.
GmTruckCarLove 7 months ago
you know your old when you use to use r-12 and 22 to cool off your can of coke. that was when DuPont told us this stuff was safe.
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@hobieslug45 Yea, that was a bad idea. Thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Hay carguy performance update is coming soon but I have a a/c question my a/c is good and cold but air doesn't come out of vents it only comes auto windshield vents your inof would be appreciated
Miamiguy82 9 months ago
@Miamiguy82 At first I was going to suggest replacing your cabin filter but you may have a problem with the doors in the HVAC that control airflow, this could be that they are not getting the signals that they need or some other issue, you'll have to check the service manual for your vehicle to be honest.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
For those with possible A/C problems in a VAG vehicle you may have an issue with the slow speed cooling fan circuit. This is a known problem of Volkswagen whereas the position, where the cooling fan should run when A/C is engaged, has blown. This causes the high speed to switch on every 20 secs or so which puts a heavy load on the 40A fuse on top of the battery. Keep in mind that when the high speed blows this fuse you no longer have engine cooling!
Anacinc 9 months ago
@Anacinc Great tip, thanks for posting.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
etcg- i was just recharching my accord and it turns out one of my o-rings on the manifold ontop of the compressor is leaking have u used or know of any sealers that would work? autozone has one by Quest called super seal. have u herad anything bout it...thank u big fan btw.
702franklin 9 months ago
@702franklin NEVER USE SEALER IN THE AC SYSTEM. Replace the 'o' ring to fix it, sealers may ruin the system.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy carrier mobile a/c will void warranty if a sealer is found in their system
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@702franklin sounds like an easy fix dont use the sealer . also if it's the high side line I don't think it would work anyway. dont do it . 25 cent o ring
hobieslug45 9 months ago
eric do your customers ever realize that their car is on youtube?
Danlovesmakinvids 9 months ago 6
@Danlovesmakinvids Most of them are friends vehicles so yes.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago 4
@EricTheCarGuy This question is to be informative for other members but i'll get my answer at pep boys by calling them, anyway here is the ?
Can I rent the vacuum pump which vacuums the system.
kidcool1977 7 months ago
cars air compressors are such a pain in the ass !! they lose their efficiency by time and they cost you a fortune to replace them with a new ones! that's why i do not care much about A/C in my cars, just drive and sweat. best advice for those of you who want to keep their A/C efficiency long as possible is by turning the A/C off when you over speeding . thank you for the Video etcg.
TeDuaMalakie 9 months ago
@TeDuaMalakie get junk yard compressors . most are in good shape. I think that more than compressors efficiency is lost threw condensers evaporators and driers
hobieslug45 9 months ago
ever since i found your youtube page last year i have watched almost all of your videos they are all great. i think it is funny that just about all of your videos have been posted within a few days before or after i go over the subject in my auto class lol
dseries16 9 months ago
@dseries16 Well that's timely, I'm glad you like the videos, thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
you have to be careful when cleaning the condenser, use a low pressure water and a soft bursh and use a soft force as the fins are very delicate and can bend easy
this is from my cars user manual
and for those who have a pre 94 car your car may use R-12 which is no longer used and is banned, cars after 94 use R134a
IIGrayfoxII 9 months ago
@IIGrayfoxII Great tip's, thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@IIGrayfoxII yes and if your using a hose don't angle the spay . spray the same way the air goes in
hobieslug45 9 months ago
My 1982 Corolla still uses R12, I haven't converted yet, leak was found and fixed 6 years ago, and the AC still works. The most important thing in this vid: FIX the leak, no telling how much longer your system will last.
peelout40 9 months ago
@peelout40 Stay with the R12 as long as you can as it cools better than the 134A. Thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@peelout40 amazing!!!!
hobieslug45 9 months ago
I wonder when will Eric show how to take the a/c apart, put it back, do an evacuation and recharge the correct way. I have a leak on my suction hose. the refrigerant already all leaked out along with some of the oil. I wonder how much and the type of pag oil to put back in. I cant wait. It is getting warmer and warmer here down south.
jvjong1 9 months ago
@jvjong1 It may be some time as I'm leery about doing those videos as most people do not posses the proper equipment to deal with AC properly however I'm sure it would be a popular series. Thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Comment removed
jvjong1 9 months ago
When I slow down I feel a tapping or bumping in the brake pedal and I hear a rough noise coming from the right wheel. I looked at the brake pads and the outer pad still has plenty of material on it, but the inner pad has a lot less than the outer pad. Also, the inner pad looks like it is not contacting the entire rotor. There is an are that looks really smooth but it shouldn't be that smooth? Any ideas on what it could be?
chicks123 9 months ago
@chicks123 Could be caliper slides or the brake pad sticking or a caliper problem. Watch the video I did on Disc Brake replacement for details on how to lube and deal with those parts.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@chicks123 rotors should look like glass when working properly . check another car with good brakes to see what a rotor should look like . preferably a new car
hobieslug45 9 months ago
What if your AC seems to cool well, but the blower speed coming out of the vents seems weak.
ohblondi 9 months ago
@ohblondi If your car has a cabin air filter you may need to replace it.
Bushougoma 9 months ago
@ohblondi That may be a cabin filter that needs to be changed, see if your model has one and change it.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Leaks don't fix themselves!
d46512 9 months ago
If all else fails, & you have a van or pickup, you can usually add a small, soft start, 5000 BTU window AC (under 625 Watts) 9.7 EER or better in a spare window if so equipped, or even cut out a hole in the body to accommodate. Plug this into an eBay $100, 2k/4k surge DC to AC inverter & stay cooler lol
Begbucks 9 months ago
@Begbucks Interesting solution, I like the way you think.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
I hate computerizes climate control.
stuffedchicken420 9 months ago
i purchased a 1994 crown vic/ex-cop car with a locked up compressor just wondering is it worth fixing, i could replace the compressor myself but i don't know weather or not they rent out the vaccum pump to evac the system, i can't afford to buy one and i know the shops will charge 3 arms and 2 legs lol
infinity3jif 9 months ago
@infinity3jif It may be more than that, whenever you have a compressor go it has the potential to send metal all throughout the system messing everything up that's why many reman compressors come with a filter that must be installed. My point is that in addition to being able to evacuate the system it may need to be flushed for the new compressor to last.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@infinity3jif my first vacuum pump was an refrigerator compressor . soldered some fitting on the suction line and it does the trick . It will even remove moisture if you run your car and get every thing hot do this on a hot day and turn your heater on to get the evap hot also
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@hobieslug45 sounds like a good idea
infinity3jif 9 months ago
It's very responsible for you to start out with a basic, noninvasive intro like this.
spelunkerd 9 months ago
@spelunkerd This is actually the second video, I also did one on how AC works. Thanks for the comment.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
Thanks for sharing Eric... I can hear bird singing at background :)
axenz1 9 months ago
@axenz1 Got a few of them that hang around the shop, they like spring.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
I think the AC system is the only thing I don't think I would ever tinker with. Am I correct that even if inhaled accidentally that R-134 is deadly?
Michiganborn1969 9 months ago
@Michiganborn1969 R134 or any inert gas is deadly if enough of it is inhaled in large quantities because it will displace the oxygen in your lungs and cause asphyxia. This is the danger they're alluding to but not explaining.
These gases are everywhere nitrogen in tires, argon or Co2 used for welding, carbon monoxide from exhaust etc. You'd have to intentionally concentrate and inhale these substances though.
As long as you have proper ventilation when working there is no need to be afraid.
Bushougoma 9 months ago
@Bushougoma
Thanks for ythe reply. I guess if it came down to it. I could just work on the hardware parts (compressors & hoses) myself & leave the gases to the experts. Guess with the discriptions of some of the deadly gases you mentioned I suppose I better try cutting back if not quitting all together on the Pall Malls lol.
Michiganborn1969 9 months ago
@Michiganborn1969 It's not deadly but the environmental concerns are real and I wouldn't be surprised if they make it so you have to have a license to use 134 in the same way they did with R12 at some point. You really need the proper equipment and a good working knowledge of AC to be effective all that aside.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy 134a has a hydrogen atom in its make up so it doesn't rise to damage the ozone but attracts moisture and keeps it down here causing green house damage. some scientist are saying this is worse. anyway I think the real problem was that DuPont's patten was expiring.
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@Michiganborn1969 the only time this gas is deadly is if you burn it as getting it suck in your intake . then what will come out of the exhaust pipe is a nerve gas that was used in ww1. the small amout used in cars is very unlikely to replace the air you breath . Ive worked on old gmc busses that had 80 lbs. of freon and would bust lines wide open and never had a problem. this stuff is heaver than air so maybe if you fill up a pit with the gas
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@hobieslug45
Thanks for the reply, Now I feel a little bit better about working around the stuff, I just hope some terrorest group don't know about making the poor mans nerve gas. I didn't know those old buses used that much freon. I drive bus myself but it's a bus body placed on an Internatonal 3200 truck frame. Was the buses you worked on the old GM's RTS2?
Michiganborn1969 9 months ago
@Michiganborn1969 no they where just gm's later I worked on rts's they only used 12 or 16 lbs I forget. interesting fact ---carrier compressors in rts's where 12 ton units. (rated at 10) sounds like over kill but a bus is basically a tin can with no insulation and wall to wall heat releasing humans inside. my house has a 2 1/2 ton unit in Florida. that was a different world back in the 70's when a blower motor weighed twice as much as my civic tranny and you put it in with a tranny jack
hobieslug45 9 months ago
How Do i get my A/C to cool faster?
Flysohighx21 9 months ago
@Flysohighx21 Put it on Max AC and make sure you are on recirculate.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy Does getting a A/C Performance service help with my A/C? I have the OEM refrigerant and my car is from 2002. But still is cold but cools slowly.
Flysohighx21 9 months ago
@Flysohighx21 do what etcg says and if that doesn't work check your return line (suction line) it should be sweating ,on a hot day, if not there is a problem
hobieslug45 9 months ago
I envy all those who have the r-134 system.
My 92 Celica uses r-12, and it's illegal to refill.
MeowJW 9 months ago
@MeowJW or maybe it was pag oil. anyway, i think the oil is what made it last so long. i made sure the system was bone dry and empty before i did it.
lineartechbd1600 9 months ago
i had a 87 accord with a r12 system. the system was empty so i just put in a couple cans of r134 and that ac worked perfectly for 9 years. i only had to add about half a can a year. i spliced the end of a r12 hose onto a r134 hose. i don't suggest using adapters cause they leak. the secret to my success was the fact that i also used the ac in the winter to defog. never changed o rings or anything. my method was add oil til it got cold then stop right away to avoid over fill.
lineartechbd1600 9 months ago
forgot to mention, i made sure the system was empty then i added a whole tiny can of pag or ester oil. i think that is why it lasted so long. that ac was super cold. you actually don't need a kit. i figure, if you cant get any more r12 or don't want to pay the crazy price for it, you might as well try it, cause if it messes up the system , you were going to be without ac anyway. i also think you can by r12 on ebay for eight bucks a can.
lineartechbd1600 9 months ago
@lineartechbd1600 When you buy a 'retrofit' kit at the dealer it's just those adapters in a small box and a can of new oil. It would have been better if you could have evacuated the system before you put the 134A in but what you did really isn't all that different than what you would get at the dealer is my point.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@lineartechbd1600 I don't think this is true r-12. they have some stuff out there that is flamable and can explode . mixture of butane and other stuff. at 8 bucks a can that's cheaper than I can get 134 for ( about 10 bucks at florida autozones
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@MeowJW Whoever told you that was lying if you're in the US.
R12 is illegal to produce new in the US however reclaimed R12 (refrigerant already in the US and removed from old devices and recycled) can be used to recharge the system. However R12 is getting increasingly expensive as the supplies dwindle. You need an EPA certification a section 609 license to buy reclaimed R12 though.
Bushougoma 9 months ago
@Bushougoma In florida they also wanted you to have a recycling machine in your name. don't know if this is still the case
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@MeowJW You can retrofit it and fill it with 134. The fact is however that the R12 will cool better than the 134A.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy I think this is only true when you put 134 in a sys that was set up for 12 making it seem like the 12 is a better freon . yes the 134 has higher head pressure but that is compensated buy a larger condenser and hi side lines. the boiling point pressures are basically the same so you can easily get that freon down to the 32 degree point.( proof is that the expansion vlvs works in either one.) If I had a choice I would want r-12 in a 134a set up with an adjustable exp. vlv.
hobieslug45 9 months ago
Great video, i used dye to determine that my evaporator is leaking. It is a 99 avalon, Do you have any experience or any tips?
americantractors 9 months ago
@americantractors I have lots of experience and the tools to do this kind of work and don't recommend that anyone that doesn't understand the system or has the proper equipment to work on AC as I've seen a lot of problems caused not to mention the environmental issues.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@americantractors if you have a leak detector you can pull the drain tub in to the cabin . dont run the car. leave it like this over night and in the morning (since freon is heavier than air ) check the floor where the tube is and if there is a leak it will accumulate on the floor . try not to disturbe the air when opening the door. If it is a big leak just put the leak detector up the tube
hobieslug45 9 months ago
@hobieslug45 I do have a sniffer and that would work, good tip. I however, do not like the sniffer as much as the dye because mine is a lower quality and often gives me false readings. I replaced the evaporator but still have to evacuate the system with the vacuum pump and refill it so i will see tonight if the problem is fixed. Thanks
americantractors 9 months ago
@americantractors yeah what I found out about electronic leak detectors is that they are hit and miss and price has nothing to do with accuracy. when I ran an a/c dept. I bought about 6 to 8 detectors and finally settled on a cheaper one that worked great. even on the smallest of leaks. other products I've had success with is the soap solutions like snoop or soaps that resemble liquid tire removing soaps. excellent on fittings
hobieslug45 9 months ago
Is it a toyota 4runner?
Vanuatoo 9 months ago
@Vanuatoo Yes it is.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
I really need this A/C help - it's as though it works on and off. When I turn on the car and the A/C, the air coming out is not cold, the compressor clutch is not engaged, etc. Occasionally, while driving, I'll get a blast of cold air all of a sudden that holds for a while. Every time I check under the hood, the compressor is not spinning - it's as if it doesn't want me to catch it working. I thought there might have been a leak in the high side (bad o-ring), but there's still pressure there!
polypolyman 9 months ago
@polypolyman You might want to take it in to get professionally checked as it's not likely that it's working intermittently as you suggest I think it might be more likely that it's not working at all but sometimes you get to a cold spot and it makes it through the vents. The fact is that I don't know for sure so I would recommend taking it to someone that has the proper equipment to diagnose it.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
@EricTheCarGuy I brought the car ('02 wrx wagon, btw) to my uncle for an unrelated problem, but he's also a master A/C technician. Without putting any gauges on, just by what I told him (system still has some pressure, occasionally hits a cold spot), he thought that my low side pressure was probably just a little low (he left his gauges at work, so couldn't say for sure), and that I should throw a can in. I'll do that, and see what comes of it.
polypolyman 9 months ago
@polypolyman try jumping out your pressure switch for a second or two . not too long because you might have a high head pressure problem . all ways helps to mention the car make and model. If you have gauges put them on for this test
hobieslug45 9 months ago
Cabin air filter (if equipped) is another thing to look at. I solve a lot of a/c problems with a simple filter change.
hopper1 9 months ago
@hopper1 Good point, thanks for posting.
EricTheCarGuy 9 months ago
i always act like im driving when i hear your intro music
Bret3030 9 months ago
Awesome. Thanks Eric.
jaywon555 9 months ago
I use our digital meat thermometer :)
VolatileMass 9 months ago