AC Work Can Be Expensive! Is it worth it to skip out?

Hey Good People,
The temperature is rising as we start the spring and head into the summer. Which means, we are about to get a bunch of A/C work coming into the shop. Some folks don't like riding without their A/C. I get it, it can be expensive depending on the type of vehicle they have.
In this video, I got through my diagnostic process to track down A/C problems.
Here is the link to the sniffer used in the video : amzn.to/3TSYdO8
Here is the link to other tools I use in my videos : www.amazon.com/shop/alexthecardoctor

[@jimsix9929]

hello Alex!!, the local ac expert here in Akron gives people with 1234YF systems the option to recharge with 134 he has done hundreds with no problems, he flushes them and changes to pag oil made a custom set of gauges that will connect to a 134 machine, he opened his shop in 1973 , not saying you should do it, so far I have been sending cars with 1234 to him, at 63 years old I am not going to buy a lot of new equipment, just wanted to let you know

[@daveunbranded]

I think he can get in a load of shit doing that. The EPA now considers anything "defeating emissions" they really need to be stopped/defunded

[@jimsix9929]

@@daveunbranded yes that is why I am not doing it, just wanted all of you to know R134 will work in newer systems, not sure about the laws on freon, if it is considered an emission , we do not vent it anymore but leaks still happen, but I am with you sounds too risky to me

[@daveunbranded]

@@jimsix9929 I don't care either way. But the EPA is giant with unlimited funding. Just don't want to see a small service station getting a 25k per car fine. Not worth it.

[@Tdub66]

You’re not going to have any leaks after charging because your vacuum test held already Alex!

[@kennycunningham8721]

Always change the high and low side charge valves with every A/C service you will save money in the long run I have done ac work for a long time when I started we used R-12 and had a sun ac machine. I still have two 30lbs cylinders of R-12 and five 134-A cylinders.

[@jimsix9929]

dang you must be as old as me!! that R12 is worth a few dollars, good idea to change the service ports on every service, I never thought of it, but it makes sense they do not cost much, one leaking fitting could cost you a lot in cash and reputation, thanks for the tip!!

[@jamesgaines6468]

CVTs can last but you have to service them every 40-50k miles. If you don’t, it will fail every time. But if you do the services and change the fluid out, they run like champs for a long time. But like Alex said, nobody tells you that and people just don’t get transmission fluid flushes normally.

[@mikemicallef1409]

If a c is leaking and you cannot find a leak go check the drain plug for the heater box for the evaporated core

[@jimsix9929]

Alex is correct, ac refrigerant will slowly make its way through rubber parts, if you are a pound low after 3 years that is a normal thing, just recharge it, a pound loss in a year indicates a leak that should be addressed, same thing happens with tires, you lose about 1 psi a month, over a year that is 12 psi, newer cars have plastic liners in the ac hoses that help but a recharge every few years is a good idea to keep it working correctly

[@jimsix9929]

Alex one tip I will give you about GM cars is I always remove the orifice tube and check it for metal before giving an estimate, better to let them know the compressor may be on its way out before doing a pricey repair, they will not understand a few months later, better to do it now if it needs it, GM compressors do not like to run with low a low charge it is hard on them

[@MobilePowell]

You can check high side psi with your scanner. And basically, is a check for Freon in the system

[@jthonn]

The AC systems lose refrigerant over time through the seals of the compressor. They all do, it doesn't matter what kind of car it is. Also they are much better with the CVT transmissions than they use to be. The first ones were horrible. I have an '06 Commander Limited Hemi that I have had since new. It needs an evaporator coil, yikes, expensive job. It is worth fixing because the vehicle has been garage kept and is still like new and only has 61k miles on it. We don't use it much since I'm retired, so convincing my wife to get it done has been unsuccessful at this time. We are running around in a Nissan Versa that I bought for work, and it has been a good little car.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

+1 on loosing refrigerant via the shaft seal on the compressor.

[@DJV94022]

Not only that gotta clean the condenser and evap coil so the high side doesnt go beyond pressures bursting out slowly too

[@trapps75]

Brand new cars lose refrigerant it's normal

[@shanestrains2849]

I keep a stock of the brass version of that rubber high side valve, the brass one has a real schrader in it

[@gregcressey1791]

Molecular structure of the gas is smaller then the rubber hose thus it allows small molecules out through the rubber

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thank you!🙏🏽 I figured something like that, I didn’t know how to articulate it like you. You’re awesome!

[@jthonn]

Really? I'm a science guy and didn't know that, not saying you are wrong, I just find that interesting.

[@jimsix9929]

@@jthonn yes he is correct, R134 has work its way through faster than R12 did, that is why newer cars have plastic liners in the hoses, but you still have seals and o rings a 4 ounce loss per year is considered normal

[@jthonn]

@@jimsix9929 Thanks Jim

[@alejandrogorostiza1197]

About 40 years ago an old head Mechanic. Explained it to me. The hoses are porous, and over time the gas just seeps out, you can sometimes tell by the oil that sits on the hose that also seeps out.

[@JDMSwervo2001]

He definitely got lucky some of those CVts blow before 60k

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Yeah man! I was truly blown away. Definitely the exception to the rule.

[@jthonn]

Being a 2015 is why, they have gotten better with those. The early ones were horrible.

[@nemesis656]

@@bubba2for2 yep people love to jump on the bandwagon and badmouth transmissions but won't take time to follow the maintenance schedules

[@jamesreed7133]

Snap-On needs to sponsor you

[@30warzonesp]

I like the diag vids they are informative. It’s good to see where to look for specific problems that may arise. I may not be a mechanic or a home mechanic but it’s good to be able to have some knowledge about certain issues so you’re not getting shafted at the shop. Keep it up

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

I got you! 😉

[@tanyawins]

Joe Jackson!!! 🤣🤣🤣 Mrs Car Doctor tickles us every time!!! ❤️

[@antoniomarc7174]

Nice work Alex…👍👍

[@jayo8484]

Yall had me going I really was Getting ready to start snitching on shops 😂

[@mikemicallef1409]

Freezon breaks down over time and use Valves leak so do seals

[@ryans413]

It’s a closed system if it’s low on gas wouldn’t that mean there’s a leak.

[@roywhite7833]

My ex wife recently got rid of her 2009 Enclave with over 350,000 miles. Everything worked but the A/C and her catalytic converters needed to be replaced.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Now a Buick Enclave with 350,000 miles is impressive!!!

[@mightyprophet4581]

Educational as always 👍🏾

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Glad you think so! I try to teach a lil something in every video.

[@jeffbotkin1405]

Is old school people just add Freon. F…k the ozone. We stand corrected. Thanks

[@coplin29]

Nissan hoses high and low side always leak very common.

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

Weed ain't a drug 😅. I do beer too

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Man these days they be lacing weed 😂😂

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor yea I get it from dispensaries or my trusty plug. Iv known him for a long time. He said the same thing you said, but he gets it from a right grower clean and fully maintained and developed.

[@eaaron3]

He took good care of that car

[@wendellgreenidge3362]

I’m surprised you don’t use the vin number to determine the year of the vehicle and other information

[@DependableAutoTruck]

Something is wrong with the connector mine made same way never had any problems

[@vikidedwards2453]

Spider-Man Spider-Man me myself don't even understand what I really really have keep breaking down those walls man give thanks more fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥(book: the future of money and finance blockchain banking)

[@MobilePowell]

The rubber hoses are porous.

[@gamesposter]

just use the bucket method. Jk i like the environment, it's very pretty

[@renj6531]

mabey someone can come up with something to the effect as a chemical scrubber to convert the chemicals in the refrigerant into hamless by products similar to the way a Cat converter does to combustion products

[@GRACFUL1]

And the fine is $44.000 and some change a day, and you can lose your EPA.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

😳 I knew the fine was high but dang! Somehow only the $25,000 for snitching stuck out to me when I did the class 😩

[@user-sp4eh6vj8u]

U need me Alex

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

134a slowly seeps out into the atmosphere. How many vehicles out there slowly seeping Front end collision, poof!

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Exactly! Way too many!

[@kevinfernando3167]

Does the A/C compressor need to have its oil changed and filled?

[@user-sp4eh6vj8u]

No replacement

[@ChefS.Keller]

Bizzy bone

[@trapps75]

Brand new cars lose refrigerant it's normal

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks for your input!

[@robscogna1253]

Snap on makes it easy. 500 a week for the rest of your life!!!

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

It be like that. But my machines are paid for in cash upfront. I ain’t got time to be owing the Strap On… I meant Snap on man 😅

[@pricetagcitrus]

Alex you can do what you want as it is your channel of course. But these diag videos are kinda long, meandering, and you don't really learn too much. Your more successful vids like "How to Bleed or "BURP" Air Out Of Your Engine Cooling" are tutorial videos focusing on specific DIY things. No hate, I just want to see you hit 100k by the summer.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks for your input.. no hate taken. But you’re outnumbered some people want videos like this. Some people say my vids are too short sometimes. Some people wanna follow me day to day. I’m just making content in my natural element. I’m pretty sure I’ll have some tutorials for you soon. Thanks for watching! 👨🏽‍🔧

[@fastbusiness]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor I like your videos where you take the time to show how to do something. It has to be somewhat long to see how everything is done. Also, your cheerful and happy attitude toward auto mechanics shows that you really like your work. Keep going!

[@Usmanthemecano]

I totally disagree. Keep doing diag videos

[@k9under]

I have had 1 vehicle with over 300,000 miles and two with over 280,000 miles never service transmission still see them around town going strong. only service coolant and oil.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

What kind of vehicle?

[@k9under]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor1988 Dodge ram 50 pick up, 1988 jeep wagoneer 1997 Nissan pickup

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

You don’t count that’s when they were making vehicles to last lol

[@jeffbotkin1405]

Is old school people just add Freon. F…k the ozone. We stand corrected. Thanks