Dash Air Conditioner Failure is getting expensive

[BEBOP]

the dash air quit while driving down the road at hiway speed. I had just had a lube service at the workhorse dealer shop, and was on the way back to storage about 15 miles.
After a lot of checking looking for loose wire and vacuum connections and leaks, I gave up and took it to the shop.
they called me a quote to recharge and find/repair leak of 400.00.
I ok'd that.
later in the day they found the leak in the condensor and the price went to 1307.00.
I am now beginning to wonder if they get the new condensor installed will they find the compressor or Evans Valve is also bad?
I am getting a bad feel for this solution.
I ran the AC about 5 miles after it quit before I realized it had quit and shut it down. I tried it again another hotter day for a couple miles but no deal.
I looked at the clutch and I could see it energize when the engine was idling but as soon as it was accelerated it de-energized. I would run it up to about 2000 rpm and the clutch would drop out but in a short time it would start kicking in and out. this indicated to me that it needed recharging. Little would I know it would also need a condensor and hopefully nothing else.
I am at 10,000 miles now. Is this going to happen every 10,000 miles. What do you think it happened in the first place. this unit has only had workhorse dealer service per schedule.
What is your opinion on the above info.
Thanks for any advice.
Bill

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEBOP I am at 10,000 miles now. Is this going to happen every 10,000 miles. What do you think it happened in the first place. this unit has only had workhorse dealer service per schedule.

Bill, I'm in an 03 with close to 80,000 miles and I'm still on the same condenser. I have had new valves, dryer, compressor but the condenser is hanging in there.

I can't say what might have happened without inspecting the old part. I would ask to see the old part when they are finished.

[BEBOP]

Thanks Driver,
I did ask them to save the parts for me.
Mike in the class A Motorhome section where I also posted this as the dash AC is hybrid between chassis and coach MFG's tole me taht he had a failure at a fitting and had it resoldered in a radiator shop. I guess it depends where the failure is at whether or not that can be done.
I hope they don't next decide the compressor is bad too, and run the bill up over 2000.00. I might just give it to them. I had 145 warranty failures the first two years and apparantly still having them except they no longer are under warranty.
I am also having some ABS brake light issues and a couple wheels on the passenger side running at higher temps then the two on the other side.
Best regards to all,
Bill
Bill

[Easyrider]

$2000.00 would buy a lot of gas, I'd forget the dash air, run your generator and use the house air to cool off as you go down the road, the house air will cool your motorhome better than the dash air anyway, even if dash air is working good. I've spent about $150.00 on my dash air, if I need to spend anymore I'll use it for gas for the generator instead.

[BEBOP]

thanks for the advice but I prefer to have everything working as it should and everything properly maintained. I have owned machinery manufacturing companies all my life and that is just built in to me.
The 6.5 K Gerrac Noisey generator is under the drivers seat, the from a/c is over the drivers seat and the db's are not conducive to being a happy camper driver
then when I go below a quarter tank of fuel and I am out in the desert and it is 130 degrees guess what happens next. Yes this did once happen in the old Georgie Boy and although I still have the same wife it was close
No thanks,
Bill

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEBOP thanks for the advice but I prefer to have everything working as it should and everything properly maintained.

Bill, 10-4 there driver! I see it your way and I would not want it any other way. I am currently using my coach A/C to augment my dash A/C however I would not want to be w/o the dash A/C working.

[BEBOP]

Job finished at 1370.54. Just like new. Icy cold once again.
The condensor blew out one of those U shaped connectors that connect the tubes and are on the outside. Probably a cold solder joint. this is really a labor intensive job. I didn't realizie their wre two coolers in front of the condensor. I thought only two. So there are 4 radiators that the big fan and the two electric fans have to get air through. I don't think this is the greatest design.
I looked at the original condensor thinking about repairing it for a spare but.....
new was only 500. and probably repair would be 250, so for a 250 saving I would be gambling 800.00 Labor. The risk reward factor just isn't in it.:(
Brakes checked out ok at this time
End of report

[AbitNutz]

I've got two problems with my dash air.

1) The mixer valve died and it started blowing nothing but hot air...nice. I fixed that by not fixing it. I manually flip the valve between summer and winter.

2) Latest problem is the passenger side floor is soaked with water. Its condensation drainage...now I have to find it. No idea where to start on this.

[BEBOP]

Most any shop that does AC work can either do it or if approached right might give you some advice on where to start.
Sounds to me like the heater core has spring a leak although it could well be a hose connection.
Or a window leak or a roof leak or??????????????//
Bebop

[AbitNutz]

I had a 96 Impala SS and the rear seat passenger foot well carpet would get soaked with water when the air conditioner was run. This is the same thing. Somewhere, the condensation drain has clogged up and it pools under the floor/carpet.

[LandHo]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would chime in.
My condensor ($1200 WH replacement) has a hole in it. The pipe leading to it is corroded and leaking. I must've have hit a bird cuz they say there are feathers stuck in the radiator... + freon + labor... about $2100 total. OUCH. Is there anything I need to prevent this from happening again? I know about running the AC prior to storage to make sure the seals are lubricated in the compressor... But what can you do about this corrosion? I don't drive MH in the winter...Oh and my extended warranty just expired...

[max49]

If I had $2100 worth of damage from a collision with a bird, I may decide to just call my insurance company. I believe they would have to pay it but who knows if they could/ would raise your rates

When I was in my 20s I had the plastic from an ice bag wrap around my 70HP Evinrude outboard motor water intake, It overheated, blew gaskets, got salt water where water wasn't supposed to be and completely destroyed the engine.
I still remember the look on the insurance adjusters face when he said "In all his years in insurance he has never investigated a collision with a plastic bag, especially one that did almost $3000 in damage". But it was the truth and they obviously knew they had to pay it.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49 If I had $2100 worth of damage from a collision with a bird, I may decide to just call my insurance company. I believe they would have to pay it but who knows if they could/ would raise your rates ..

max49, Not only will they pay but in some cases a collision with an animal is non-chargeable. So your rates won't go up.

[LandHo]

I don't think the bird thing is related to the hole in the condenser and the corroded piping. It was something else they found in my radiator. dunno if I ran into a bird or perhaps there was one making a nest before I started the engine. I've had several bird nests wedged on top of my hitch... it certainly is possible that the birds think my MH is a giant condo...