its Getting HOT-AC Condensor Problem

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by DetroitSpecial, Mar 18, 2015.

  1. DetroitSpecial

    DetroitSpecial Light Load Member

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    Hello truckers this is my post and if you have noticed its starting to get hot outside
    ,and i am wondering if any owner operators ever had a ac condensor problem? If so did you try and fix it(patchwork)yourself
    or did you bring it to a shop and have them fix it and just paid them,while i am a hands on guy and dont really ,like people touching my truck unless i really have to just wondering what yall do?

    I have shot air into my ac system along with a can of freon to make it engage and make it circulate thru the system.
    I have checked With soap and water and electronic sniffer,sniffer went crazy when i put it in the sleeper vents,not cab vents which i found interesting,so i bench pressured test my ac evaporator core,the expansion valve,sprayed all lines running from compressor and drier,along with compressor and drier,and all lines in ac system,then i found 3 small leaks in my condensor bubbling,so i believe i found the problem and wondering is there a way i can fix it,either soldering it,some other compound or just replacing it.

    Let me know what yall did and if you replaced it who did you buy your parts from besides dealer and who can you reccommed, thanks
     
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  3. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    You're a better man than me. I hate a/c problems and, while I wouldn't exactly say "more than happy to" pay someone else to fix it, I do it just because I don't want to **** with it myself. And yet there are some things I'd probably be ahead paying someone else but stubbornly deal with myself. Is there anything worse than warm spring days and an a/c that's just not wanting to cool right for whatever reason? Take it for granted until it's broke for sure haha!! Sorry that was no help at all but good luck anyways.
     
  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Go and have it replaced, it needs replacing not fixing.

    The ac system needs to have a vacuum before you put freon in it, and now the system needs to be flushed with the dryer replaced.
     
  5. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Yep that's why I don't mess with it and really only have a rudimentary understanding of it. And if you start going thru compressors because it wasn't done right the first time is when it gets fun and expensive lol.
     
  6. Riprap

    Riprap Light Load Member

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    Detroit Radiator has good prices on condensors (compared to dealership)if you are from the area. Like Ridgeline says, it needs to be vaccuumed out first before charging. Your ac system requires a specific amount of oil and refrigerant, too much or too little will cause issues. A set of gauges helps in reading cycles. Normally air in the system is a no-no, most shops use nitrogen in pressure testing for leaks instead of wasting freon.
     
  7. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    If you have a leak in your Condenser you can have it welded by a Radiator Shop that can weld aluminum. My Condenser had a leak twice at different times and instead of paying $500+ for a new one, I had it repaired, that was 7 years ago and it still works great.
     
    DetroitSpecial Thanks this.
  8. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    As said above, get prices on new and a quote on welding the old one. Make your decision and go with it. Just be sure to change the air dryer, and then use a vacuum pump to suck all the air, Freon, and most importantly, moisture out of the system before adding new Freon. Don't forget to give it some pac oil also.
     
    DetroitSpecial Thanks this.
  9. DetroitSpecial

    DetroitSpecial Light Load Member

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    Yes i know that allready i have a vacuum pump,freon,freon sniffer,tools everything i need to get the job done,this isnt my 1st rodeo,i was just simply wondering if anybody had a different way of fixing them,i know some radiator shops do fix some coils either by soldering them or some other way,ima give a few a call in my area,please keep in mind i am not otr at the moment and i am off for a while So i do have the time and the patience to fix it and replace it myself,and i dont know if you own a truck or not but parts are expensive and the labor is even more,k i dont just rush and halfa--do things i take my time and shop around if i can,just like if i break down,i have a digital scanner to scan my system if need be then i can see whats wrong,call roadside have them bring me my part fix it and back on the road i go,in this business you learn how to fix problems,specially when you own a truck.
     
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  10. DetroitSpecial

    DetroitSpecial Light Load Member

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    Exactly thats my point,i know it is possible if it is small everyone is so quick to say go get a new one,just like my buddy telling me go get this new and go get that new,i said its funny how people who dont have to spend the money always wanna tell you how to spend your money lol,but hey do you remember how much you paid to have it fixed?
     
  11. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Any decent machine shop should be able to weld pin holes. You will be looking at two hours labor max.
    Side note, if your shift is going off at the vents in the sleeper then Freon is some how getting into the hvac duct system. Considering the condenser sirs in front of the radiator, I find it very unlikely that is the source. Have you checked the evaporator in the bunk? I'd bet a dollar that's got a small leak also. Probably o rings where the lines come to it.
     
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