To Repair Chassis A/C or Not?

[Jackn]

The previous owners of our '94 Monaco Dynasty (my parents) told us that the A/C compressor failed a few years ago and they never replaced it. There's no belt on it now. They said that running the house A/C unit on the generator while driving was better than the chassis A/C anyway.

I suppose I'd have to replace the compressor unit as well as update the freon. Would it be worth the effort and cost to get it up and running again? Has anyone else had to do this and remember what it cost? Thanks, Jack

[dsbike]

In my opinion, NO. You would have the expense of a new compressor, new seals, new belt, and new freon R134 instead of the R22 that was most likely factory. I don't recall when the switch over was, but I believe it was after 94. Then you also don't know if it would need anything else when that is replaced. Then the fact remains that the dash a/c is not powerful enough to cool the entire coach and it will only keep you somewhat confortable in the driver & passenger front seats on a moderately hot day. The cost of running the generator while on the go & having the coach air on would take a very long time to catch up to the cost of repairing the dash air. JMHO

[Twomed]

You can buy a lot of gen time for what that a/c work will cost. If it's really hot the roof air is necessary anyway. Some guys on here that track every ounce of diesel will probably tell you that it actually costs less to run the roof air. It is certainly more comfortable when you stop to have the whole coach cool.

[Mike Canter]

Look at the freon pressure reading/filling caps. Take off the plastic cap and see if the attachment fittings for the gauges have threads on the outside or not. If they have threads on the outside then it is an R12 system. If no threads on the outside then it is a R-134a system.

If it is an R-12 system then you can use Freeze 12 to fill it. Which is better than R-134a and not that expensive. You have to use their pressure chart. I use Freeze-12 in an older car and it is great.
Freeze 12 Freon Replacement: EPA Approved!

The question would be what is wrong with your system? Maybe ibecause it is such and old system it just ran low on freon and there is nothing wrong with it. Can you ask your parent what happened when they said it just failed?

[Jackn]

Thanks for the input, guys. I think I'll leave it as it is for now.

Since I have not the seen the chassis A/C perform, I didn't know if it would be worth the effort or not. I don't know what's wrong the A/C right now, just wanted some thoughts on whether I needed to make it a priority repair or not. Thanks again! Jack

[Snowman 1]

Our dash AC quit working this summer so we had Monaco service take a look at it during our annual fall pilgrimage to Coburg. Here's what they found and had to do:

Leaking air compressor, bad fittings, failed air dryer, plugged expansion valve and descecant plugging the lines. They then evacuated the system, replaced the compressor, air dryer and expansion valve, all the lines from the dryer to the expansion valve (95'), and various fittings and hoses. They then did a leak test by pulling a vacuum and recharged with 4 pounds of R134A. Total cost for the AC rebuild - $600.61 parts and $981.00 labor. Ouch!

Luckily we purchased a Protective Xtra Ride policy when we bought the coach which covered the entire job less our deductible. We now have a brand new dash AC system. Unless you like having a curtain behind the driver and passenger seats you still need to run the roof AC units but having ice cold dash AC should keep us a little cooler and from sticking to the seats.

I like having things repaired as they come up because otherwise you'll end with a laundry list of items that will never get done for various reasons. Good luck.