Hi guys, I need some knowledge from someone who knows about what all is involved in an engine swap. Mine was replaced under warranty a month or so ago, and my car just rolled over 50k a few days ago. Yesterday was our first hot day and I found that the air conditioning no longer works at all- it blows ambient temperature air. My A/C has always been ice cold, and never took more than a few seconds to cool down. I drove for about half an hour yesterday each way to work and the car didn't cool down in the slightest.

Is there some part of the engine replacement that requires removal of the coolant or compressor? I have an appointment tomorrow morning, but I want to come in knowing a little about this in case I have to fight for them to cover it.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

they have to remove everything.

but there is a chance that a rock might took your condenser. or they didn't refill r134a correctly.

If it could be proof that Its actually their fault (its sort of easy to trace the leak and be able to tell whos fault is it)

but if I were u, I would try to check the leak myself first. If its a small leak, you might be able to fix it on your own. when I say fix it, I mean to replace the part completely, not with those "fix it/seal it" kit.

 

I've actually got the RacingBeat screens installed, so most likely not the condenser. So with an engine replacement they have to empty/refill the r134a?

 

They have to remove the AC compressor from the motor. I am not sure if that process requires purging the r134a. But when removing any part from the motor the chance of physical damage to it is high.

 

^They don't have to remove any AC components. But they might have and then forgot to refill it. Good luck with that one.
You might ask them if they remove the AC compressor during an engine swap. And if they say yes. Say that explains hy my AC is hot. Tell them they forgot to recharge the system. And if they said they did, look on the invoice and look for the R134a that was charged to the invoice.
I would just explain to them that accidents happen and things sometimes get overlooked. Tell them you understand how this can happen. BUT FIX IT!

Another thing could be the Hot/Cold potentiometer on the dash. The **** that turns from red to blue to adjust the temperature. They have been known to fail.

 

To remove any component in the AC system, compressor, drier, condenser, evaporator, you must evacuate the R134a. Otherwise it leaks into the atmosphere and causes global warming.

 

I'm fairly sure it's not the ****, since it still works well with regulating the heat when it's cold out. Also when I turn on the A/C it makes this empty hissing noise that it never did before. There's definitely no r134a in there, hopefully somebody forgot to refill it rather than broke something...

 

Like nycgps & expo1 said; the compressor was swapped and they forgot to evacuate and refill the system.

 

its pretty easy to pull vacuum and re-charge the system. Thats assume you have the right tools (which is not exactly cheap, too bad u're not local ... I do it for cheap ... )

if its just "forgot to re-charge", its not expensive, just time consuming to fix. Cuz the PAG oil in the compressor are now junk which requires a flush/clean, reinstall, recharge ... but will dealer do the PAG oil flush/clean ... thats another question ...

if you want to try to fix this yourself ... then pm me. :D

 

it might be the controller which are the ***** that control the A/C and Heat. mine broke a couple of days ago and it did the same thing, just got it fixed.

 

forgot to ask, have u test the **** ? just to make sure all 16 steps are working.

 

They shouldn't have to remove the compressor or open the system...but there are lots of ways they could have pinched a line...or opened the system and let out the refrigerant if they weren't careful...

Take it back and nicely tell them they need to fix it

 

Thanks guys, I took the car in and indeed it seems that they forgot to refill the r134a. They didn't charge me, works great now.

 

I bet they did not remove the flush/refill the PAG oil in there ?