A/C charged but hot air blowing within a week

Tiny
GONEMENTALLY2DAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
I had my a/c charged and oil added and it was blowing cold. Within the week (and halfway through a ten hour away trip) it had gone slowly from cold to hot air blowing. Should I just get a/c system replaced or is it just a leak? I hate to waste money to see if it's a leak and then find out it's the compressor. I can't do another summer of the a/c being out in the truck
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 9:17 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
There is a leak somewhere and it could be the compressor. I would recommend a U/V dye in the oil to aid in pinpointing the source of the leak, in fact, that should have been done when the system was recharged.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
GONEMENTALLY2DAY
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  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the heads up:)
I will start checking how much that will cost and get it checked.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
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And remember to add the dye, even when it is a new system, the dye is essential for leak detection (just my opinion)
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
GONEMENTALLY2DAY
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Thanks:)
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
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K
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+1
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 2:41 PM

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