Air conditioning no longer working after tranny rebuild

#1 01-13-2004, 02:10 PM

Just like others have reported, my air conditioning is not working anymore after I've had the transmission rebuilt. Is there any way to prove that the shop is the one responsible for this, if indeed they are?

Earthworm · #2 01-13-2004, 10:09 PM

It's likely you're out of R12 (or R134). I strongly believe that it leaks out if you put any weight on the pipes going to the A/C compresser.

Since you practically have to climb up on the engine to get at bolts to remove the tranny it's very conceivable that some force was applied to those pipes at one point.

I heard hissing from those pipes several times during my 5 spd conversion.

My suggestion: See if they will either fix (charge) it or better yet give you money to get it fixed then properly convert it to R134 if you haven't already.

#3 01-13-2004, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the reply. Does this mean that if the force is removed from the pipes that they seal back? I guess that would mean that there would be no visible damage.

CDG · #4 01-13-2004, 11:23 PM

You are mostly correct, you will not see any visual damage, but if you have a peek, there's only one bolt, and the seal will get old and one little tweak, and ssssssssssssss, later to the AC.
FYI, when the tran gets pulled there is a tendancy for the engine to fall backwards or forwards, either one will cause this line, and a few others to stress. Once the leak is found, you may find some evidence, but you're not going to hear it from the guy who did the trany.

But since its very common, you may be able to prove to them that this happens all the time to those who are not careful, be nice, and perhaps they will recharge/repair for free.
Also realise that it could be a coincidence

WGJ · #5 02-14-2006, 09:49 PM

I'm having the same experience. Air was ice cold, got tranny rebuilt and when I picked it up....my ac blew air temp! Have other reasons to suspect that the tranny shop MAY be responsible...
Thanks for the info,
WGJ

CDG · #6 02-18-2006, 11:13 AM

I supsect you will need to get them to recharge it for you.

ensteele · #7 02-18-2006, 11:25 AM

If they will recharge it for you, or someone else will do the job, be sure to have them replace the o-rings where they come into the compressor.

Good luck.

Remember that you get more honey with flys than with salt, or something like that.

huck369 · #8 02-18-2006, 01:04 PM

Garrett,
I thought you got rid of your SVX.....good to hear from you...

WGJ · #9 02-18-2006, 01:17 PM

Ensteele,
You know your stuff (been there, done that?). That's exactly what the AC shop said was needed so it was done...
appreciate the sage advice.

As far as proving that the tranny shop's responsible...tough one. It cost me $380.00 to have my AC shop (been doing business with them for 30 yrs.) recharge the AC and repair the leak and replace some O rings. Tranny shop's not too keen on paying for that, even though AC tech thinks the tranny shop's probably responsible, there's only cirumstantial evidence, ie; AC worked before tranny work was done didn't work after. Although the freon leaked out right where previously described as a result of tranny tech not being careful, top of compressor.

WGJ

intelisevil · #10 02-18-2006, 09:16 PM

Does anyone know if an R134 conversion kit exists for our car or do you just drain/evacuate the system and recharge?

Thanks, Dan

WGJ · #11 02-19-2006, 11:04 PM

according to my AC guy I could have converted mine for another $150. Testing, repair and charging came to $380 including tax.
It involves a bit more than just recharging but it's really contingent upon how long you intend to keep the car...what is now known as "Antique" AC is what we have and freon is expensive. My tab for freon, just to recharge, came to $99! That's 22 cans @ $4.50 ea. So, environmental concerns aside, the new stuff is not quite as effective (cold), but considerably less expensive to replace.
I don't know how my AC shop compares with the rest of the country. Been doing business with them for over 30 yrs., and when there was a problem with my Dad's '82 Mercedes AC they honored the warranty "No problem, sir" and fixed it at no charge.
By the way, the new research strongly suggests the new stuff's also bad for the planet.
My leak was the O ring on top of the compressor...isn't that a spot vulnerable to damage while tusseling with removing/replacing tranny, if the pipeing gets banged? Some validation would be appreciated as I really don't like to hassel auto service techs unless I'm on v. solid ground. Cirumstances indicate the tranny shop may have some responsibility for the AC repair...
Thanks,
WGJ

Earthworm · #12 02-20-2006, 01:56 PM

The problem is when the tranny is out the engine shifts and a different pressure is put on the A/C hoses. That (and old o-rings) will cause the A/C to vent. It's happened to mine twice. I've since properly converted to R134 and haven't looked back.

Brian · #13 06-19-2006, 06:57 PM

I just had this happen to me too! I had my A/C completely recharged and a used compresor and receiver/dryer and new o-rings installed. A week and a half later, I had to take my car into a transmission shop for a rebuild. When I got it back from the transmission shop another 3 weeks later, the A/C was not as cold as when it went in. It has continued to decline in potency in the week and a half I've had it back. Now it only cools the air only about a degree or 2!

This is actually the second time this happened to me. When I had my engine rebuilt a couple years ago, the A/C was bone dry when I got it back, despite the fact that I'd had it recharged just weeks before the engine went.

Based on what I've just read in this thread, I'm a little perplexed by why my system has continued to loose charge since I got it back from the trans. shop. After all, my o-rings are practically brand new!

Sr240sx · #14 06-19-2006, 07:33 PM

o_o thank god my uncle is an a/c specialist and did my entire conversion for free

WGJ · #15 06-19-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

The problem is when the tranny is out the engine shifts and a different pressure is put on the A/C hoses. That (and old o-rings) will cause the A/C to vent. It's happened to mine twice. I've since properly converted to R134 and haven't looked back.

This is what happened to me too when I had my tranny rebuilt. My AC was OEM '92 so the O ring(s) were damaged when the engine shifted. Spent $400 to have it fixed...fix lasted 10 seconds. Felt like a chipmunk blowing across a snowcone. AC shop blamed it on a broken switch in the line. The tranny shop now has the appropriate equipment to fix my AC, I've got the switch and the SVX goes into the shop tommorrow. Wish me luck.
WGJ
After all this time I still can't get over how HOT my SVX gets in only a few minutes parked in the sun! WHEW!