Problem with AC after Timing belt change

[AmznAzn]

OK, I just replaced timing belt with all the belts today along with the water pump. The harmonic pulley was old and separated so we replaced that also. Before I could turn the AC on when on the highway or going fast, but before i stopped or slowed down i had to turn it off. If i left it on the belt would make a odd noise and vibrate. So i guess the harmonic pulley was the problem. Before i replaced everything AC was COLD. Now I can turn the ac on with no problems. BUT ITS BARELY COLD. It just blows room temp air. We thought it was low on freon so we got a refill, it did have a 134a conversion. Put some freon in it got a little colder but not really. Left the AC on for 10 min and it was warm in the car.It was blowing out warm air now. We think there is a leak. What do you guys think?

thx!

[AmznAzn]

bump. This is old but i need to get it fixed. My AC is being bipolar right now, some days its ice cold and others its just as stated above. Havent noticed a pattern yet.

[YK86]

Do you hear a click when you turn the AC on? At idle, you should for sure feel a bit of a load put on the motor and both rad fans should start running. If not, either you have low R134 pressure, the pressure switch is bad, or an electrical problem (relay, bad ground, bad connection, etc). If it does turn on and doesn't feel cold, touch the low pressure line (the bigger of the 2 hoses between the rad and exhaust manifold). It should be ice cold. If it's not cold, its low on gas (just enough to have continuity at the pressure switch) or the compressor is dead.

[AmznAzn]

Do you hear a click when you turn the AC on? At idle, you should for sure feel a bit of a load put on the motor and both rad fans should start running. If not, either you have low R134 pressure, the pressure switch is bad, or an electrical problem (relay, bad ground, bad connection, etc). If it does turn on and doesn't feel cold, touch the low pressure line (the bigger of the 2 hoses between the rad and exhaust manifold). It should be ice cold. If it's not cold, its low on gas (just enough to have continuity at the pressure switch) or the compressor is dead.

Yep when I turn the AC on it does feel like there is more load on the motor. When you say low on gas you mean Freon? Also if the compressor is dead how come it still gets cold sometimes?

Thanks!

[batever]

Is your ac belt on with adequate tightness? It had to come off for the tb change so that's the first thing I would check.

If that's ok, then you have a different problem and AC is not my field of knowledge so I'll leave it for others. Other than saying that if the problem is intermittent you may have an intermittently failing clutch mechanism in the compressor, the one that engages the compressor pump with the constantly spinning belt drive wheel that the belt goes around.

Before I could turn the AC on when on the highway or going fast, but before i stopped or slowed down i had to turn it off. If i left it on the belt would make a odd noise and vibrate. So i guess the harmonic pulley was the problem.

^^ this points to some kind of issue with the compressor that preexisted the timing belt change. and the issue might not have been related to the harmonic pulley (crankshaft pulley, right?) but to a bearing in the driving compressor belt wheel or, as stated before, perhaps in the clutch mechanism that links it to the pump mechanism itself,....or something else mechanical in the compressor, such as the pump bearings themselves.

the fact that it would make the noise at low engine speeds such as idle or below 1500 rpms (i'm guessing here) but not at normal running speeds of 2k and above, means to me that maybe there was resistance in the compressor or in the compressor drive wheel. Probably due to a failing bearing.

things to consider.

[AmznAzn]

its getting hot, i need this fixed
Another observation: the two middle vents are blowing out cooler air then the two outer vents. Everything else is the same as stated above. Any help?

[dj_ender]

its getting hot, i need this fixed
Another observation: the two middle vents are blowing out cooler air then the two outer vents. Everything else is the same as stated above. Any help?

It was asked before, but you never answered it. How tight is the A/C belt?

[Saidaigen8]

Compressor.

[AmznAzn]

Last time i checked the AC belt was fine. I shall check again though. Another observation: Hwy speeds = cold air. Driving around town =

[dj_ender]

Last time i checked the AC belt was fine. I shall check again though. Another observation: Hwy speeds = cold air. Driving around town =

That would almost confirm its your compressor.

[AmznAzn]

That would almost confirm its your compressor.

is it the WHOLE compressor or possibly a component? if so how would i find out? would i just be better off buying a whole new compressor?

If the compressor is shot why do i still get cold air at all?

Sorry for all the questions

[oyajicool]

I haven't read the entire thread, but if you get cold air while running highway and not in town indicates me that the fans (condenser fan and/or radiator fan) are not working properly.

You want make sure those are on when A/C running.

[Saidaigen8]

Technically its most likely the clutch on the compressor but its way easier to just replace the whole thing. Its working intermittently because its slipping.

[Bad_dude]

Check to see if your compressor is leaking. Most of the problem is the bearing or the clutch. Also press on the line stem to see if you have any freon left. These compressors barely ever gone bad. So I would look to see if the compressor kicks on when turning on the AC. Do a bypass if it doesn't. Then you know for sure you have a leak. The leak is usually by the double o ring at the compressor area.

[oyajicool]

From my past experience on other cars, slipping clutch makes audible chirping sound as they slip.

If there is leak, you may see an oily spot on parts associated with A/C system. If there is some freon left in the system, you could try spraying soapy water to detect a location of leak.