My A/C died just now... I can hear/feel the compressor kicking in, but it only blows hot air. I suspect the expansion valve, but I have no way to diagnose the problem or to properly evacuate and replace the refrigerant if I do indeed have to replace the valve.

Are there any recommended A/C shops? Brent mentioned one to me, I think it was in the Kalihi/Dillingham area but I don't remember exactly. Thanks.

 

Most likely your system just needs some freon.

 

I'd still like to have someone check... from what I understand, it may be harmful to the compressor to just add refrigerant unnecessarily. Also, the A/C worked perfectly on Sunday then didn't work at all today (Tuesday); could that be just from low refrigerant?

 

it possibly something worse, normally it slowly gets cold and you notice it less cause it slowly doesn't cool or doesn't get as cold (for recharge). it's an 05 so most likely not the Freon.

 

Freon isn't legal to use anymore, and that has been the case for quite a while. If the r134a refrigerant is low, the pressure switch will not allow the compressor clutch to engage.

A cheap can and single gauge from parts store can tell you a lot. If the low side has too high of pressure (100psi + and high pressure line is stupid hot), yet the compressor is clicking on it means that you have a blockage or stuck expansion valve. If the pressure is steady and above 50 psi, your compressor isn't building pressure.

 

Thanks for the replies and info.

I got a hold of Brent and found out it was Tony's Auto Air on Artesian where he had really good service. I took my car to Tony, turns out it was a leak... luckily, the leak was right at the compressor so it was fixable right away.