AC issues - Blows Cold then Warm

2008 Tacoma

My AC didn't work for about a year so I took it into a national chain here in Canada (Canadian Tire) to test the pressure and recharge the system with refrigerant and dye. The bill was $370 and it says they put 2 lbs of refrigerant in.

When I left it seemed to be blowing Cold... great news. Then I turned it off.
Two days later we were driving and realized the AC was only blowing slightly cool on the drivers side and warm on the passenger side. I assumed a leak and booked a time to bring it back in.

On the way in to Canadian Tire today the system started blowing ICE COLD AIR, I almost thought the issue had sorted itself out, but then I noticed the passenger side slowly get warmer and the same on the drivers side... until it was outside temp. This took about 7 minutes all in.

Canadian Tire spent an hour looking at it and said they needed to take the dash apart because it was probably an actuator. I checked all the actuators when I got home, they sounded fine and ran their full range of motion. The system was still blowing warm air.

Relatively competent backyard mechanic.
What are my options here?

 

What else is on the bill? At my shop 2 lbs refrigerant and 1 hr labor is under 200$. Did they do anything other than evacuate/re-charge?

 

Yea I would try to find a place a bit more specialized than CT. But I agree an AC Shop isn’t really a thing up here. I mean AC is really only required for like 4 months a year.

 

if you can invest in a set of gauges and can watch the pressures you can figure out the issue, typically Id say it was icing up (possible needs an air dryer) but you can kinda prove this by running ac till it starts blowing warm then pop the hood and see how much frost is on the lines or dryer reciever, if its icy, turn ac off for a few mins for it to thaw out, then turn ac back on and see if it blows cold again, with gauges you could easily troubleshoot with watching pressures on low and high gauges

 

you said they installed 2lbs of 134a, according to mitchel on demand it only takes 1.35 so if they put in 2 they overfilled it!

 

Easy Jimmy, its different down south where its hot and humid. Im in seattle and there aren't any dedicated ac shops here either.

OP its hard for us to "help" if you dont have any ac tools. You likely have a leak and they can be hard to find. Im not familiar with CT but I'm picturing more of a "quick lane" service place that hires relatively inexperienced techs. Places like that often don't have the patience to deal with ac work. The consequences of a misdiagnosis can be expensive given the price of parts and labor involved.

I'd suggest finding a reputable independant shop if possible. I would avoid any place that offers free diagnosis

 

OP, you mentioned they used dye when they added the refrigerant. I presume they didn't find any dye leak?

 

If they put UV dye in it they should be able to find the leak. If it’s the evaporators the dye should show up in the condensation drain hose

 

If it ran ice cold after running warm it may not have a leak. Might be a temp sensor, loose belt, iffy compressor, clogged radiator, thermostat stuck open so engine runs too cool and fan doesn’t come on enough.

 

Hang in there Jimmy.

2lbs is too much, but the shop may have rounded up. One thing I am certain of... If the AC is blowing ice cold, then warm later, because there is a leak, it will not blow ice cold again until it is refilled. I think the problem lies elsewhere but without proper diagnosis it is impossible to help over the internet.

 

Thanks
I realize that 2lbs is too much, thats why I posted it. Im also hoping the shop "rounded" up.

I just tried it again today and noticed that the AC is again very cold from the drivers side only, and now I'm noticing the AC clutch engage and disengage constantly

 

constantly as in quickly...a/c clutch does not stay engaged very long?

 

Thats called "short cycling", its a common symptom of a low state of charge

Look for a leak

 

Yea I'd say 5-10 seconds on and then stops for a few seconds

 

Canadian Tire is to mechanical repairs what McDonald's is to haute cuisine. I would go to the dealership before I would go to a CT franchise for repair work! Unless you live in a very small, or rural area, there will be lots of places that do AC work - most good, independent garages do it, and if not, they'll recommend someone.

 

see post #23

 

Yea thanks. I only noticed it today, might have just developed

Thanks,
Can this also be caused by an overcharge state? My invoice states they put 2lbs of R134A into the system. I may purchase some pressure gauges today to check myself.

 

They probably charge by the pound. System takes more than one pound.

 

Get some gauges and we'll see whats up