Need some serious assistance...
11-04-15, 07:16 PM
#1
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Need some serious assistance...
So my 99 Gs400 hasn't been blowing cold air at all... The system is running low on pressure and seems like running low on Freon as well. I added a can in about 1 month ago then added more about 3 days ago. Tonight I get in and the entire inside smells/reeks of Freon and that alcohol based smell. Could I have a leak or crack in one of the interior lines? Has anyone ever come across this problem before? I researched and came up with nothing that matches my problem... Thoughts?
11-04-15, 07:41 PM
#2
It's likely the evaporator core leaking. Hopefully the freon your adding has dye in it so the leak can be visually isolated. I would still want to visually inspect the area where the ac lines go into the firewall in the engine bay but the leak is likely in the dash. I'm pretty sure there are threads on here about core replacement and I'm sure someone else will chime in with more specific information.
Is this the first time you noticed a freon smell in the car or did you get the same smell a month ago as well?
Are you pulling a vacuum on the system before adding freon? How much are you adding? What are your static and running pressures?
Keep in mind that if your system is low on freon, its high on oxygen. Something had to take place of the freon that leaked out. If you don't get it out of there, your pressures run high and usually blow out the weak link which is usually the low pressure core.
A leaking head seal (Manifold seal?) on the compressor is a common issue causing low freon. Having dye in the system is key so you get visual representation of the leak.
Is this the first time you noticed a freon smell in the car or did you get the same smell a month ago as well?
Are you pulling a vacuum on the system before adding freon? How much are you adding? What are your static and running pressures?
Keep in mind that if your system is low on freon, its high on oxygen. Something had to take place of the freon that leaked out. If you don't get it out of there, your pressures run high and usually blow out the weak link which is usually the low pressure core.
A leaking head seal (Manifold seal?) on the compressor is a common issue causing low freon. Having dye in the system is key so you get visual representation of the leak.
Last edited by Gdwrench35; 11-04-15 at 07:48 PM.
11-04-15, 08:00 PM
#4
I had similar condition like yours 2 years ago. Out of nowhere, the a/c just started to not blow cold and there was a very distinctive odor to my gs400. I popped the hood and looked at the compressor thinking that it was shot. Low and behold the compressor was not clicking on. I just moved out here to Vegas and the heat was almost unbareable. I called a buddy back in Los Angeles and said he needs to check it out. The following weekend I headed to LA with only the fan/windows/sunroof. We were sweating the whole way. 4 hour drive.
I left him the car and he evacuated and recharge, add dye and it held pressure. He told me he used it to get parts for the shop and it was working all day. I picked it up and it was working fine. The compressor didn't click on was due to no freon in the system. I drove it around that night and poof, no more A/C. I called him up and met him up and he checked it out and says that is odd. No sign of dye anywhere. Have the same odor. He was cool eniugh to open shop for me on sunday to check it out. Evac and charge again, no issue. No leaks. He said it could be the condensor, receiver dryer, or compressor. I said I cannot take it back to Vegas without AC.
He recommended to replace the condensor(cheaper than compressor). I said ok. He removed the condensor and said the receiver dryer comes together as 1 unit(inspected condensor and found nowhere to be leaking). Odd he says. He put in the condensor and said if this does not fix it, then it would be the compressor. As the AC system does not have a lot of parts. 2 years later and working as good as it was when I got it.
im not saying you have the same problem, but hope this long story helps.
I left him the car and he evacuated and recharge, add dye and it held pressure. He told me he used it to get parts for the shop and it was working all day. I picked it up and it was working fine. The compressor didn't click on was due to no freon in the system. I drove it around that night and poof, no more A/C. I called him up and met him up and he checked it out and says that is odd. No sign of dye anywhere. Have the same odor. He was cool eniugh to open shop for me on sunday to check it out. Evac and charge again, no issue. No leaks. He said it could be the condensor, receiver dryer, or compressor. I said I cannot take it back to Vegas without AC.
He recommended to replace the condensor(cheaper than compressor). I said ok. He removed the condensor and said the receiver dryer comes together as 1 unit(inspected condensor and found nowhere to be leaking). Odd he says. He put in the condensor and said if this does not fix it, then it would be the compressor. As the AC system does not have a lot of parts. 2 years later and working as good as it was when I got it.
im not saying you have the same problem, but hope this long story helps.
11-04-15, 09:28 PM
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It's likely the evaporator core leaking. Hopefully the freon your adding has dye in it so the leak can be visually isolated. I would still want to visually inspect the area where the ac lines go into the firewall in the engine bay but the leak is likely in the dash. I'm pretty sure there are threads on here about core replacement and I'm sure someone else will chime in with more specific information.
Is this the first time you noticed a freon smell in the car or did you get the same smell a month ago as well?
Are you pulling a vacuum on the system before adding freon? How much are you adding? What are your static and running pressures?
Keep in mind that if your system is low on freon, its high on oxygen. Something had to take place of the freon that leaked out. If you don't get it out of there, your pressures run high and usually blow out the weak link which is usually the low pressure core.
A leaking head seal (Manifold seal?) on the compressor is a common issue causing low freon. Having dye in the system is key so you get visual representation of the leak.
Is this the first time you noticed a freon smell in the car or did you get the same smell a month ago as well?
Are you pulling a vacuum on the system before adding freon? How much are you adding? What are your static and running pressures?
Keep in mind that if your system is low on freon, its high on oxygen. Something had to take place of the freon that leaked out. If you don't get it out of there, your pressures run high and usually blow out the weak link which is usually the low pressure core.
A leaking head seal (Manifold seal?) on the compressor is a common issue causing low freon. Having dye in the system is key so you get visual representation of the leak.
11-04-15, 09:31 PM
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I had similar condition like yours 2 years ago. Out of nowhere, the a/c just started to not blow cold and there was a very distinctive odor to my gs400. I popped the hood and looked at the compressor thinking that it was shot. Low and behold the compressor was not clicking on. I just moved out here to Vegas and the heat was almost unbareable. I called a buddy back in Los Angeles and said he needs to check it out. The following weekend I headed to LA with only the fan/windows/sunroof. We were sweating the whole way. 4 hour drive.
I left him the car and he evacuated and recharge, add dye and it held pressure. He told me he used it to get parts for the shop and it was working all day. I picked it up and it was working fine. The compressor didn't click on was due to no freon in the system. I drove it around that night and poof, no more A/C. I called him up and met him up and he checked it out and says that is odd. No sign of dye anywhere. Have the same odor. He was cool eniugh to open shop for me on sunday to check it out. Evac and charge again, no issue. No leaks. He said it could be the condensor, receiver dryer, or compressor. I said I cannot take it back to Vegas without AC.
He recommended to replace the condensor(cheaper than compressor). I said ok. He removed the condensor and said the receiver dryer comes together as 1 unit(inspected condensor and found nowhere to be leaking). Odd he says. He put in the condensor and said if this does not fix it, then it would be the compressor. As the AC system does not have a lot of parts. 2 years later and working as good as it was when I got it.
im not saying you have the same problem, but hope this long story helps.
I left him the car and he evacuated and recharge, add dye and it held pressure. He told me he used it to get parts for the shop and it was working all day. I picked it up and it was working fine. The compressor didn't click on was due to no freon in the system. I drove it around that night and poof, no more A/C. I called him up and met him up and he checked it out and says that is odd. No sign of dye anywhere. Have the same odor. He was cool eniugh to open shop for me on sunday to check it out. Evac and charge again, no issue. No leaks. He said it could be the condensor, receiver dryer, or compressor. I said I cannot take it back to Vegas without AC.
He recommended to replace the condensor(cheaper than compressor). I said ok. He removed the condensor and said the receiver dryer comes together as 1 unit(inspected condensor and found nowhere to be leaking). Odd he says. He put in the condensor and said if this does not fix it, then it would be the compressor. As the AC system does not have a lot of parts. 2 years later and working as good as it was when I got it.
im not saying you have the same problem, but hope this long story helps.
11-05-15, 10:12 AM
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After doing some more research last night I see that the evaporator system can leak… This seems to be more common then not. Do I have to go with an OEM evaporator? Or would an aftermarket work just fine?
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11-05-15, 05:08 PM
#9
Because of the odor your getting, thats why I would lean to a leak in the interior although any leak in the engine bay could be pumped into the interior if you have your dash set to fresh air instead of recirc.
Be very careful with this. It is dangerous to inhale large amounts of freon. I worked with a guy who charged an ac system that had a very large leak in the interior. He was not aware of where the leak was, charged it, and test drove it. He didn't make it back from the test drive, passed out at the wheel from freon inhalation and crashed the car. Bad deal. Be careful.
Be very careful with this. It is dangerous to inhale large amounts of freon. I worked with a guy who charged an ac system that had a very large leak in the interior. He was not aware of where the leak was, charged it, and test drove it. He didn't make it back from the test drive, passed out at the wheel from freon inhalation and crashed the car. Bad deal. Be careful.
11-05-15, 09:42 PM
#10
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Because of the odor your getting, thats why I would lean to a leak in the interior although any leak in the engine bay could be pumped into the interior if you have your dash set to fresh air instead of recirc.
Be very careful with this. It is dangerous to inhale large amounts of freon. I worked with a guy who charged an ac system that had a very large leak in the interior. He was not aware of where the leak was, charged it, and test drove it. He didn't make it back from the test drive, passed out at the wheel from freon inhalation and crashed the car. Bad deal. Be careful.
Be very careful with this. It is dangerous to inhale large amounts of freon. I worked with a guy who charged an ac system that had a very large leak in the interior. He was not aware of where the leak was, charged it, and test drove it. He didn't make it back from the test drive, passed out at the wheel from freon inhalation and crashed the car. Bad deal. Be careful.
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