I own a 2003 a6 wagon avant it has 67,000 miles. About 3 days ago my A/c started blowing warm.
I took it to the shop thinking it just needed to be refilled but the mechanic told me it was about 80% full.

I just recently did about 2000 worth off work to the car because while i was on a road trip my belt tensioner broke and caused a few other problems.

I am just curious if their is away i can test the a/c on my own so i know for sure what i need before i take it to the dealer and spend 450 on labor and 1100 on the compressor.

Please any suggestions or help would be great.

Thanks in advance
Ivan

 

The a/c system is sealed and it shouldn't leak any refrigerant. Have someone install an a/c dye or use an electronic leak detector and find the leak before wasting your money on an a/c compressor it probably doesn't need.

 

i was told by the mech that it read with 80% pressure which means its full...

I just hope its him that full...LOL

 

Well if the pressures are good was the compressor switching on and off?

 

To be honest i dont know thats why i am looking for a way to self test.

Not all that mechanical but i can follow directions if there is a way.

thanks again

 

Alright, turn on the a/c system and look under the car (with the belly pan off) and see if you can see the a/c compressor clutch engaging and diss-engaging. When your looking at the compressor you will need to see the outer pulley either moving or stationary. If it never moves then you should have a fault in the system, just because the compressor isn't moving doesn't mean its bad, the a/c control head telling the compressor to turn on and off may be malfunctiong causing the system not to work. By the way does it ever come out of econ mode?

 

I am going to check what you said in a few minutes. as far as econ mode all the buttons on inside light up normally and turn on and off normally.

I just wanted to thank you for all the help.

 

OK so the compressor is turning on and off but its blowing warm air only..

Any body have any ideas or atleast advice off what to ask the mechanic so i dont get taken for a ride.

Thanks
Ivan

 

Make sure the condenser fan is running, and feel the a/c lines under the cowl on the passenger's side, if it doesn't feel cold on the low pressure line it could be the compressor is shot or its out of refrigerant and the mechanic is taking you for a ride.
Un-less of course you or someone else re-charged it themselves using those cheap bottles from autozone and put way too much PAGoil in the system and saturated the compressor, which will cause it to not compress the refrigerant as it should.

 

OK so i went to a new mechanic and he empty and refilled the system. That was saturday...He said the compressor was on but it still wouldnt get cold.

Today sunday i get in the car and as long as its on econ it blows semi cold.

ANy ideas.