A/C problems with 2006 Mustang GT need some input

Back@itagain · 02-09-2009

Now that the sun is starting to come back out in Michigan, I spent the weekend washing and waxing the new/used 06. A little bonding time and an opportunity to start finding problem areas. I noticed what looked like broken tubing in the lower corner of the a/c conderser. Fired it up and sure enough no cold air. Figured I would have the dealer that sold me the car take a look since it was already going in for the hood corrosion. They told me there were no leaks in the system but it was down to 6% and needed to be recharged. According to the dealer the previous owner must have run the a/c pretty hard and recharging is recommeded every 2 years. Why would it already be down to 6% if there wasn't a leak? I find this rather difficult to believe. I have an 01 F-150 that came out of Texas and it still blows cold air. I was hoping you guys might have some ideas soI can gobackto the dealer prepared.

snowboarder7710 · 02-10-2009

yeah something is definitely wrong. my 98 f150 had the AC run extremely hard. i live in so cal and made frequent trips to az and nv. in the 6 years that i owned the truck (bought it used in 2001) i never had to recharge the ac. it blew as cold as it did when the truck was new.

however, my 06 f150 was never even close to being as cold as my 98's was. of course the dealer told me it was fine and never did anything about it.

**pcfrisch** · 02-10-2009

The dealer sounds a little looney. The AC was run pretty hard?

I never heard of an AC requiring recharging every 2 years. There is a leak somewhere. They can put dye in the system to find it.

travelers · 02-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcfrisch

The dealer sounds a little looney. The AC was run pretty hard?

I never heard of an AC requiring recharging every 2 years. There is a leak somewhere. They can put dye in the system to find it.

I agree something is leaking. dye check is the best way to see if there is a leak

Back@itagain · 02-10-2009

supposedly they did run the dye...not real sure since the dealership sent the car out to a subcontractor and I haven't had the chance to talk to the mechanic. What about a vacuum test to ensure the system is still closed? Would it be more accurate than trying to look for dye or is this something that should have been done anyway? Would I get a print out kind of like the aligment shop?

RedHorse1 · 02-10-2009

I call BS on your dealer. The A/C is off or on. There are several selections for fan speed but that doesn't have a direct affect on the compressor. My 06 gets plenty of A/C time here in Hou - no problems with mine. 6% and recharge every 2 yrs? More BS. If the broken tube you see is one of the refrig lines then you've probably got a leak. If you're still under warranty he should fix it. If you're out of warrenty I'd search for an A/C shop with a good rep. Ask your friends / maybe somebody on the board is in your area and can recommend. Post an update with the next chapter in your saga. Good luck!

**stlwagon** · 02-10-2009

They'll tell you anything to get you into a car.

travelers · 02-10-2009

There isn't a vacuum test. They vacuum the system before they add the refrigerant. There is the dye test and a sniffer test with a refrigerant detector.

duckbubbles · 02-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelers

There isn't a vacuum test. They vacuum the system before they add the refrigerant. There is the dye test and a sniffer test with a refrigerant detector.

Pulling a vacuum on the system and watching it for a while will indicate a leak. But they are easier to find while under pressure. Sniffers, dye and even soap bubbles can also be used. I like the ones you can hear and feel with no other help. I've seen the compressor shaft seals leak under vacuum but seem to hold under pressure.

It is possible to have the crack welded up by someone who is good at aluminum welding. It can be pressure tested by itself.

Frank

Back@itagain · 02-11-2009

Thanks for the input everyone. I should get the car back tomorrow if not Fri. I'll see what the dealership has to saw.

**stlwagon** · 02-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back@itagain

Thanks for the input everyone. I should get the car back tomorrow if not Fri. I'll see what the dealership has to saw.

Hopefully they'll pay for it too!

StukaJU87 · 02-11-2009

The dealer is full of crap. Recharge every 2 years?

Somebody tell that to my 15 year old Toyota truck that still blows ice cold and has NEVER been recharged.

snake 42 · 02-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelers

There isn't a vacuum test. They vacuum the system before they add the refrigerant. There is the dye test and a sniffer test with a refrigerant detector.

Au contraire my friend. There is a vacuum test that will tell you in less than 5 minutes if you have a leak. The dye test is used to locate said leak if one is apparent. You pump the system down using a vacuum pump and then shut everything off and watch the guages on the service manifold. If you have a leak the vacuum will begin to drop off immediately and go to zero in a matter of minutes. With a pressure test (which will tell you the same thing) it just takes longer for the pressure to bleed off. Unless you are lucky and have very good hearing (to hear the leak)the dye test or the sniffer test are usually the only positive ways to locate where the leak is. Incidently, if I'm not mistaken, there is a TSB about compressor seals going bad in 05 and 06 GTs. You could check the list of TSB's on this site to confirm such.

06hoss · 02-12-2009

Those refrigerate sniffers are pretty trick. I saw a guy using one here at work on the building AC (different refrigerate, I know...but same concept), and it took him right to the leak. He had already tried the old soap bubble trick. Those sniffers are expensive, but if you know an HVAC guy, have him sniff it to find the leak and take it back and make the dealership fix it.