Maintenance issues - Any ideas?

[HiloDave]

Apparently Vintage Air offers tech support if someone is having trouble installing one of their systems. Otherwise, they don't want to hear about problems.

(I sent an e-mail a week ago and have had no reply. Also, the phone answering machine advises the caller to furnish all of the purchase information relating to a new installation and they will call back.)

Does anyone know a Vintage Air employee that might be willing to help?

 

[Spirit]

Does anyone know a Vintage Air employee that might be willing to help?

Try to contact Rick Love @ 210-654-7171.

Been quite a while since I have talked to him, don't know if he is still there or not, but worth a try.

 

[HiloDave]

Try to contact Rick Love @ 210-654-7171.

Been quite a while since I have talked to him, don't know if he is still there or not, but worth a try.

Thanks, Spirit. I'll try him on Monday.

 

[nota4re]

Maybe Tuesday....

 

[Nardo GT]

Just 2 cents here. I am in Texas and HAVE to have cold a/c. No a/c problems yet, but please remember freon is cheap (about $4.00 per can) and 2 cans with make it work great no matter how low. So bearing that in mind and being out of warranty, I would refill every 3 mos (8 cans per yr =$32.00). You can do it yourself easily. Much less expensive than being a guinea pig for a possible evap. Shadowman is right...dash removal and quite costly. If it is an evap, it would have to be leaking down weekly for me to consider it. Most likely the problem will slowly get worse and you can get an easier, more accurate diagnosis with a bad leak. Kendall's suggestion of wrapping/slighly bending the lines up front to protect them is great preventive maintenance. Looks like a great place for a "rub through" over time.

 

[HiloDave]

Nardo, thanks for the suggestion. I think doing my own recharges until the leak can be positively identified sounds like a great idea. I'm going to find out how to do it (anybody know offhand?) and buy a couple of cans of refrigerant.

I agree with Kendall that I would probably have better luck talking to people at Vintage Air on the day AFTER Memorial Day.

 

[paul b]

Nardo, thanks for the suggestion. I think doing my own recharges until the leak can be positively identified sounds like a great idea. I'm going to find out how to do it (anybody know offhand?) and buy a couple of cans of refrigerant.

I agree with Kendall that I would probably have better luck talking to people at Vintage Air on the day AFTER Memorial Day.

You may want to invest in a vacuum pump and charging manifold, makes charging and diagnosing a little easier and complete.

 

[BlackICE]

This is a good suggestion, assuming you never opened the system you can recharge (or top off) the refrigerent without using a vacuum pump. I would be a good backup to carry and use to and from the Rally.

Of course you use the proper equipement have EPA certification . :biggrin

http://www.harborfreight.com/a-c-manifold-gauge-set-92649.html

 

[Nardo GT]

You can get a refill hose at WalMart for about $10.
You can tell when it starts cooling less just add a can. A case of 134 freon (12cans) is about $50.00 at Sams club. WalMart sells individual cans $5-$6.

 

[HiloDave]

Thanks Nardo and Black Ice. I fell like I can manage the problem now.

 

[HiloDave]

After the third try, my dealer has diagnosed my a/c leak as coming from the evaporator. (It began putting out considerably less cold air after about 600 miles/3 months.) Following Nardo GT's and BlackICE's advice, I plan to wait until at least after Rally V to plunge into a $6,000+ repair. I will be topping off the system as necessary on the road (after I figure out how to do it) with a refill hose and a can or two of freon.

Anybody else have more ideas?

 

[PL510*Jeff]

After the third try, my dealer has diagnosed my a/c leak as coming from the evaporator. (It began putting out considerably less cold air after about 600 miles/3 months.) Following Nardo GT's and BlackICE's advice, I plan to wait until at least after Rally V to plunge into a $6,000+ repair. I will be topping off the system as necessary on the road (after I figure out how to do it) with a refill hose and a can or two of freon.

Anybody else have more ideas?

:confusedDidn't know the GT had A/C! (Just kidding).

Talk to Rich/Dennis at the Rally.

 

[HiloDave]

:confusedDidn't know the GT had A/C! (Just kidding).

I know what you mean, Jeff. I didn't realize that GT's had heaters until the last Rally.

 

[PL510*Jeff]

I know what you mean, Jeff. I didn't realize that GT's had heaters until the last Rally.

And like the wipers and defrosters - they work well.

 

[Nardo GT]

I wouldn't spend $6K until it started leaking daily. Freon is cheap. Prolly wil leak the same driving as sitting... more of a time issue. I would ad a can every 3 mos. or whenever needed.... forever.

 

[BlackICE]

I wouldn't spend $6K until it started leaking daily. Freon is cheap. Prolly wil leak the same driving as sitting... more of a time issue. I would ad a can every 3 mos. or whenever needed.... forever.

You have a point there. However the eco police would disagree. BTW it is R134 nowadays, not Freon.

 

[Nardo GT]

You have a point there. However the eco police would disagree. BTW it is R134 nowadays, not Freon.

Actually Ice, I think the correct terminolgy is "refrigerant". And screw those treehugging, greenies.