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Hello everyone, I’m new here but have been watching damn near every video up on the channel for a while now, have been getting really into fixing stuff up myself recently, but I have one problem I have no idea to start with.
I bought a Ford Focus 2001 1.6 from my dad who owned it for quite a few years, and he never ever bothered with the air con, and when I tried using it during this time, it never blew any cold air out. When I got the car, I thought it was time to get it recharged and have it up and running again.
Took it to a shop that did it for me, turned it on as I drove home and, awesome ! I’m freezing cold 😀
However I noticed, mostly on long journeys, that sometimes after about 30 minutes, sometimes an hour, the air con would just stop blowing cold air in. The light remained on the button, but the air would be regular air. Sometimes I feel like I can smell something a bit “off”, maybe a bit like ….. sewage.
I carried on like this for over a year just accepting it, but now the air con only stays on for about 10 minutes tops. I took it in for an air con check, and they said they couldn’t see any visible leaks in the system (it has never had any dye put in, so couldn’t check that way), and that it was running low, and the best thing would be to get it topped up, and then see if the problem stays.
My fear is, I already had it filled up a while ago, and the issue happened then, so I’m un-sure if I should get another refill and again, keep an eye on things, or could there be something else causing this issue ? Anybody had anything similar ?
Would it be anything to do with the compressor ? Its very, very rare, but sometimes when I have the air con on, an obvious power drop is noticed (which I believe is to be expected when using air con), but sometimes when I come to a bit of a sudden stop at a roundabout, the car stalls. Could that have anything to do with it ?
Thanks to anyone who can help 🙂
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If it does need to be recharged then there is a leak.
Have the dye put in so next time the shop can see the
the leak with the ultraviolet light.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problems
I don’t think you have a leak based on your description, or a problem with the compressor for that matter. To me it sounds like an issue with the expansion valve. Since the AC wasn’t used much it may be sticking. In order to replace it the system would have to be evacuated of all refrigerant before the work was done. Once the valve is replaced, it will then need to be evacuated and recharged.
As for the odor from the vents this is common on older vehicles without a cabin air filter. If the expansion valve was being replaced you might also consider removing the evaporator (if you don’t already have to remove it to replace the expansion valve) and clean it with soap and water. Over time, mold and mildew can build up on the evaporator causing a foul odor from the vents.
Keep us updated on this issue and what you find.
Thanks for the replies guys 🙂
Looking into what you said Eric, I find many places saying my car would instead have an “orifice tube”. I’m really not hot on A/C stuff, so I would definitely pay a shop to do it for me, but I always like to have some knowledge on what I would be asking them to do. I assume the expansion valve and orifice tube do the same task, with that being controlling the amount of refrigerant going through the system ? If what you say about it sticking is true, it all makes sense (in my head !).
Looks like trying to solve this could be expensive ! But I’m not one to give up 🙂
My Focus does have a cabin air filter, I replaced it recently 🙂
I will of course let everyone know how I progress with this, I like sharing stuff like this as you never know who it may help in the future.
It’s possible that the compressor clutch coil is going bad. Sometimes the compressor stops when the coil gets hot and then work again when cooled off. I have also seen a faulty low pressure cut out switch cause your problem
Next time it stops blowing cold open the hood and see if the compressor is turning with the pulley. If it is then you have a different problem.
Hey everyone
Been a long time since I posted this. I still haven’t managed to get round to doing this (wasn’t doing this during the winter !), but now Summer is on its way back, I am going to give it another go, and have a game plan.
I have a brand new orifice tube, and I will get a new set of O-Rings. I am going to have the AC discharged by a specialist, and then when I get the chance, replace all O-Rings in the system, along with the orifice tube (and do some visual inspections while under the car). I might try cleaning the condenser (doesn’t sound too hard to remove).
Once I have done this and got it all set back up, have the specialist then recharge it (new oil, filled with fresh refrigerant, and also include some leak dye).
See how the AC goes from there basically, and see if I still have the same problem.
1 thing I think might be worth noting, is that sometimes, when using AC, should I need to come to a stop at a roundabout/lights etc, the car might stall. Could this possibly be another issue, maybe electrical ? The car does take a hit when I start the car, turn on AC, I see the revs drop by about 100/200, and the car gets a little bit shaky.
So you think the orifice tube will cure the problem? Do you have proof that that’s the cause? I would recommend you take it to a specialist and have them diagnose it rather than assuming that the orifice tube is the issue. You can actually diagnose these things with the correct tools and experience. I do not recommend AC repair for the DIY. It often requires tools and experience that is beyond most DIYers. If you get it wrong, it can be VERY costly. You’re much better off having it repaired by a specialist.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Sadly wont be able to get to the route cause of this now, car had been part exchanged for a more recent Focus (buyer fully aware of AC issue) 🙁 Thanks for the help anyway guys, I’m sure it will bug me not knowing what it was now !
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