To the shop for AC work...

[Valhad]

So, I just completed - mostly - my first engine swap. First time I really drive the car, though, I notice that I don't seem to have functional AC any more. It was find before I spun a bearing, but the car sat for months while I got my **** together to do the swap.

I left the compressor in the car the whole time, didn't open the system at all. So all I can figure is that I must have pinched a hose or line dropping the engine back in, and punctured something.

Having JUST paid $850 to replace the entire AC system in my wife's car when a compressor seized up (throwing metal shards into the rest of the system), I decided that I'd better just bite the bullet and get the AC in my car looked at by a professional, versus risking screwing mine up more.

So I take it in. The shop calls me a little later, say they can't find a leak, and that the system is holding vacuum just fine. They fill the system up (with oil, refrigerant, and dye) and send me on my way to the tune of $120.

My AC lasted for almost an entire week. Now I'm right back where I was, only somewhere there is at least probably a big ass dye stain. Just got in from looking around with a blacklight, and damned if I can see any dye marks except around the low port where they filled it.

Somehow, I just KNOW this damned thing is gonna cost me another few hundred bucks. The AC system is about the only system I don't feel like I can service, and it kills me to watch it suck up so much cash.

I'm a very calm person. When I spun a rod, and the tow shop told me what they thought it was, I took it in stride, even though at the time I assumed it meant my car was dead forever. The point is, it takes a lot to piss me off. But right now? I'm pretty goddamned pissed... Just... not at anyone in particular, which only makes it worse.

[Remnant King]

I read for the most part what you had to say, but let me say this:

It's almost September for God's sake, save that money for the spring time and do it then >_>

[TheOtherNick]

Check all over the condenser in front of the rad, and check the inside vents for dye that would mean a leaking evaporator.

[Mad Monkey]

take it back to the show, tell them its not working and to fix it properly lol

[Valhad]

I'll check those places... once I get a decent blacklight pen-light. All I've got at the moment is a big-ass blacklight that I can't fit into small spaces.

take it back to the show, tell them its not working and to fix it properly lol

Oh, this? ^ Yeah. I should have asked about that before I authorized the work. I asked what kind of guarantee they had on their work when I showed up to pay for it, and dude said "Well, all we did was evacuate it and fill it, so there's no warranty. But hey we put dye in, so we can find it next time if it does turn out to be leaking."

My own dumb fault, I know. So hard to find a good shop...

[Mad Monkey]

Well my logic says. Wasn't working when you took it in. Thy did something and it's working again. Then stops working. They need to do whatever they did the first time only better lol and free/cheap.

[ZR1Vette09]

if you punctured something, you'd hear it

[Couch]

I'll put my guess on schrader valves. but thats me. def go back. they will charge you. stating they put the dye in to find the leak.

[Poil336]

it's not the shop's fault, geeze. the only other option is replacing all of the parts to know you found the leak. if anything, they might cut you a break on charging it after the work, but it's standard practice to fill it with dye so you can find it next time. every shop will do that.

[wodeln]

it's not the shop's fault, geeze. the only other option is replacing all of the parts to know you found the leak.

[Valhad]

For the record, it turns out that replacing all the parts is the solution anyhow, as the compressor and the evaporator are both leaking. Quoted $1000+ to get it all done.

Yeah. That's not happening. It's time to fix my driver's door window, I see.

[dsmuts]

I can fix your drivers door window i have the parts laying in my garage if your interested.

[carscomefirst]

Try Red Angel. You can buy it at NAPA, Advance Auto, and others. Money back guarantee. If you're not satisfied return the empty bottle to the store you bought it from for a full refund.

From thier website:

"Red Angel will seal leaks in A/C systems that can hold 5 inches of vacuum for 25 minutes or 15 inches of vacuum for 5 minutes. A system that won’t hold 5 inches of vacuum on the low side for 25 minutes has a leak that is too large to be sealed, and will need a hard part repair."

Red Angel A/C Stop Leak & Conditioner Seals Freon Leaks | USA SEALANTS | Stop Leak for Oil Leaks, Blown Head Gaskets, Transmission & A/C Leaks

http://www.usasealants.com/products/...k-conditioner/

I normally don't suggest stopleaks, but a friend's truck would cool for about 2 weeks until it leaked out. He used this in his truck about 2 years ago and it is still holding.

[Valhad]

I can fix your drivers door window i have the parts laying in my garage if your interested.

dsmuts - thanks for the offer, but my problem is an intermittent wiring problem. The switch and the motor test good and work fine, when they work. I've just got a wire somewhere that's not working consistently, and I've gotta try to sort that out. Probably no parts needed.

Try Red Angel. You can buy it at NAPA, Advance Auto, and others. Money back guarantee. If you're not satisfied return the empty bottle to the store you bought it from for a full refund.

[...]

I normally don't suggest stopleaks, but a friend's truck would cool for about 2 weeks until it leaked out. He used this in his truck about 2 years ago and it is still holding.

This sounds like a winner. I don't normally go for stopleaks myself, but given that the next step is replacing pretty much everything anyhow, I've got nothing to lose by trying it. Thanks for the suggestion!