AC problem

[KillaCam]

Yesterday while driving I had the AC on and out of no where white fog started coming out of the vents. It didn't have a smell and it dissipated almost instantly. It was really hot and humid some I'm hoping its just some water vapor. If I turn the AC off but still have it blowing the fog stops coming out. Any idea what it is exactly? Is it harmful to breathe in?

Also when the AC is on there is a loud noise, sounds like a vacuum. (this sound is nothing new) Maybe a hose fell off or something.

[crispy_chick3n]

Sounds like the cOmpressor was run without oil. In which case it's trash. Doesn't explain the fog. Unless the condenser blew up internally, in which case the white fog would be the refrigerant. I wouldn't recommend breathing that in, but I'd I remember right smoking cigarettes is worse.

[captainhook426]

You would have to check your pressures to see what everything was doing. It sounds like the compressor ate itself, but I could be wrong.

[crispy_chick3n]

Either that or the high pressure switch failed, and the compressor kept building pressure until a weak spot in the line burst. Either way that ac system needs a massive overhaul

[captainhook426]

True that. Without any line pressures I couldn't even think about trying to diagnose, but i'm an entry level tech so not a lot of experience coming from me.

[crispy_chick3n]

line pressures realy arnt good for much except telling someone weather or not they have refrigerant or not. thats the shitty part about ac systems, there realy is no way to truely diagnose a major failure, aside from physically examining the entire system, which takes hella time, and costs a ton on the labor side of things. however if you are good at diagnosing ac systems, there is a lot of money to be made as a tech. if it were me i would just forget about the ac and roll with windows down. that white fog was more than likely the refrigerant, and the only way for that to get into the plennum to get out the vents is through the condensor, which means the dash more than likely has to come out, then if it damaged the ductwork beyond repair there is no telling how high the cost can go. ive seen people pay up to $2k to have their ac systems reworked, and the fuckers still leaked.

[kandiman71874]

line pressures realy arnt good for much except telling someone weather or not they have refrigerant or not. thats the shitty part about ac systems, there realy is no way to truely diagnose a major failure, aside from physically examining the entire system, which takes hella time, and costs a ton on the labor side of things. however if you are good at diagnosing ac systems, there is a lot of money to be made as a tech. if it were me i would just forget about the ac and roll with windows down. that white fog was more than likely the refrigerant, and the only way for that to get into the plennum to get out the vents is through the condensor, which means the dash more than likely has to come out, then if it damaged the ductwork beyond repair there is no telling how high the cost can go. ive seen people pay up to $2k to have their ac systems reworked, and the fuckers still leaked.

LMFAO and anyone that knows a/c at all knows exactly why i am laughing...

[crispy_chick3n]

line pressures realy arnt good for much except telling someone weather or not they have refrigerant or not. thats the shitty part about ac systems, there realy is no way to truely diagnose a major failure, aside from physically examining the entire system, which takes hella time, and costs a ton on the labor side of things. however if you are good at diagnosing ac systems, there is a lot of money to be made as a tech. if it were me i would just forget about the ac and roll with windows down. that white fog was more than likely the refrigerant, and the only way for that to get into the plennum to get out the vents is through the condensor, which means the dash more than likely has to come out, then if it damaged the ductwork beyond repair there is no telling how high the cost can go. ive seen people pay up to $2k to have their ac systems reworked, and the fuckers still leaked.

LMFAO and anyone that knows a/c at all knows exactly why i am laughing...

** digging for old ac books to see how wrong i was**

[kandiman71874]

Diag this one then.

Front and rear A/c vehicle with Expansion valves. High side pressure stays static with the compressor engaged but the low side sucks its way down to zero and the front a/c wont cool. Turn on the rear a/c at the same time and all of the sudden the low side pressure comes up into the 30 psi range with high side pressures at 150-200 and is blowing cold but the front a/c is still blowing ambient temperature.

You cant diag issues like this without reading the pressures. Same thing with the reid valves in a compressor with the low side needle bouncing in a 20-30 psi swing but it still cools just not very well. There is alot you can figure out from reading gauge pressure.

Edited June 14, 2012 by kandiman71874

[kandiman71874]

line pressures realy arnt good for much except telling someone weather or not they have refrigerant or not. thats the shitty part about ac systems, there realy is no way to truely diagnose a major failure, aside from physically examining the entire system, which takes hella time, and costs a ton on the labor side of things. however if you are good at diagnosing ac systems, there is a lot of money to be made as a tech. if it were me i would just forget about the ac and roll with windows down. that white fog was more than likely the refrigerant, and the only way for that to get into the plennum to get out the vents is through the condensor, which means the dash more than likely has to come out, then if it damaged the ductwork beyond repair there is no telling how high the cost can go. ive seen people pay up to $2k to have their ac systems reworked, and the fuckers still leaked.

LMFAO and anyone that knows a/c at all knows exactly why i am laughing...

** digging for old ac books to see how wrong i was**

Read all you want. Its real life experience that teaches you things to look for. Most books wont cover a lot of the tricks you pick up working in the field. Gee, sounds like a lot of other hands on jobs..