Coleman Roof A/C Not Putting Out Cold Air

[tomnorman457]

Hi all,

The front roof A/C on our 1996 38Z quit putting out cold air this afternoon. The rear roof A/C , thank goodness, works great, and is keeping the rig comfortable.

The front A/C blower fan works fine. The filters are clean; in the Texas summer heat I clean them every week without fail. In fact, I cleaned the A/C filters this morning. I can hear the front A/C compressor start and continue running. So it's not a case of a bad start or run capacitor. The front A/C blower fan runs and puts out airflow as strong as ever; there is no ice blockage. The front A/C compressor is definitely running, because I can hear it start and run. No strange electrical smells or unusual noises. No popped circuit breakers, or "shedding" by the Intellitec ECC. The front A/C unit sounds the same as it always has.

I turned off both roof A/C units, in case anything needed to be re-set. I then started the rear A/C, and it's putting out cold air as I type this. But the front A/C is not putting out cold air, even though the compressor is definitely running.

Any suggestions before I climb up on the roof?

Thanks, Tom

[TXiceman]

Do you have access to a clamp-on amp meter? Take the upper cover off the unit and check the amps on the compressor. There should be a data plate on the unit that shows the total unit amps as well as the compressor amps.

Also, while you have the cover off and the unit running, the larger line to the unit should be cold and sweating.

Be very careful working around the unit with the covers off around the fan and the electrical.

Ken

[tomnorman457]

I took the A/C shroud off and found an oily stain running all along the base of the A/C unit, directly beneath the refrigerant lines that run from the compressor to the condenser fins. My problem is no refrigerant in the system. I couldn't see any pinholes or anything to tell exactly where the refrigerant leaked out. So my 14 year old refrigerant lines have sprung a leak (or leaks). No idea why the compressor continues to run as before; without refrigerant I thought the compressor would have shut down, or overheated.

Looks like it's a good news/bad news story. Good news is that I've identified the problem. Bad news is that nobody has recommended that I repair a 14 year old A/C unit. Time to spend some $$$.

[TXiceman]

To repair the unit properly (provided you have not damaged the compressor with no refrigerant) willrun you $300 Plus. Best thing is a new unit unless you can do the work yourself.

Ken