I was wondering if there are any "normal" spots to fail for the Ram Van series.

I recently purchased a `95 2500 8-Pass van with Rear Heat/AC and now that the weather is warming up I found the AC doesn't work..


First thing I tried was a "retrofit" kit that included oil, leak sealer, and r134, (it was factory r134, didn't realize it at the time) ..

After filling the system, it ran for about 20 minutes, then back to nothing.

I tried to fill it again, with some more heavy-duty leak sealer but now the compressor won't stay on after the can is disconected... It is emptying the system almost as fast as I am filling it.

Due to this, I am having a VERY hard time trying to pinpoint where the leak is and am looking for any suggestions you guys may have to offer!


Thanks!

 

Get yourself a can of R134a that contains Leak Detector Dye. This will help you pinpoint the area in your A/C system that requires repair.

 

Tried that... unfortunately not on my first fill attempt ..

This last time, I filled it the compressor didnt kick on for long, so it didnt circulate. I was unable to tell where the leak(s?) were...

Haha to add a bit of irony, the heat lines for the rear air started leaking today as well!

 

Well, at least the coolant lines should be easier for you to fix.

R134a capacity on those passenger vans with rear HVAC is 3.75 Lbs versus front air only at 2.50 Lbs, so it takes a bit of refrigerant to get the compressor moving. An A/C tech will usually trip the relay in order to force the compressor to run temporarily while troubleshooting.

Working on A/C can be tricky if you don't have experience. You really need a set of gauges to ensure both low side and high side pressures are correct. And, once the repair is made you definitely should evacuate the system before recharging with R134a.

If the system has been open for a while the dessicant in the drier may also be bad. There are lots of potential trouble areas with A/C.

Depending on where the leak is you may have also lost some lubricating oil, which should be replaced to stop your compressor from siezing.

It might be time for a trip to the mechanic unless you really want to get deep into this. I'm not saying you can't do it -- I would encourage you to give it a try actually - but it can be a daunting task if you don't have the tools and know-how.