Car cabin smells of AC refrigerant at times and now the AC is not cooling after about a month of filling it .
Car cabin smells of AC refrigerant at times and now the AC is not cooling after about a month of filling it .The smell kept coming for about 5 times during the course of the month would last for about 5 min when the AC is first switched on and then goes away . AC used to work normally but now after the 5th incident it has stopped and doesn't cool. The last time there was a hissing noise and then it stopped cooling.
Could it be a Evaporator issue. It is a Fiat Grande Punto
Could it be a Evaporator issue. It is a Fiat Grande Punto
My car has 48000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you have detected a refrigerant and oil mist in the cabin, then an evaporator "area" leak is likely. However, any time there is one leak, the entire system should be pressurized (whether pre or post repair) and tested for leaks in order to ensure trouble free operation. To request diagnosis and repair of your system, please use YourMechanic’s a/c diagnostic service page and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Air that smells is often caused by a dirty cabin filter or accumulated mold somewhere in the line or case. A smelly air conditioning unit can often be corrected by having the cabin filter replaced.
The most common reasons a Fiat 500 ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
If you are experiencing a chemical odor in your car, the A/C evaporator could be leaking refrigerant. Oil from the leaking refrigerant can trap dust and dirt, blocking airflow from the vents. In order to have this issue properly repaired, it is best to seek help from a professional mechanic.
Broken Capacitor
The capacitor is an item in your air conditioning system that powers the motor. If this item fails, the motor can overheat and give off an unpleasant burning smell. The capacitor can break for many reasons, including power surges to general wear or overheated circuitry.
In short, a musty smell indicates bacterial growth build-up, which forms on the drain, evaporator coil, or in the drip pan or drain line of your AC. Your evaporator coil is a dark and humid location, so all sorts of mold and mildew can grow, which causes that unpleasant, musty smell.
Your car`s AC stopped working most likely because of a freon leak or a bad compressor. Though these causes are the simple to spot reasons for your AC not working inside your car, it might be anything as simple as a dirty cabin filter or a bad belt.
If your air conditioner is running, but not lowering temperatures inside, one issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home.
If you have detected a refrigerant and oil mist in the cabin, then an evaporator “area” leak is likely. However, any time there is one leak, the entire system should be pressurized (whether pre or post repair) and tested for leaks in order to ensure trouble free operation.
You may smell an odor of ether, chloroform, or sweetness from the vents or the air conditioner itself. This is the odor of the refrigerant. According to the Department of Energy, refrigerant leaks are harmful to the environment, and exposure to the refrigerant may be harmful to your health.
The smell of a Freon leak can be described as musty or sweet. Some people may also describe it as similar to the smell of rotting oranges or chlorine. The smell can be noticed in various areas of the building. Such as near the HVAC unit, the basement, or even throughout the entire building.
Toxic Freon Leaks
A freon leak will produce a smell between sweet and chloroform. Freon leaks can be toxic. If you suspect a freon leak, talk to a specialist who can use a freon leak detector to help address the issue.
This smell has been described in many ways – musty, rotten eggs, dirty socks, fishy, burnt plastic, gas, to list a few – and can even be accompanied by the feeling of being short of breath, dizziness, or headaches. No one wants that! Let`s talk about why these smells occur and how we can prevent them.
Clogged air filters become moisture-laden and breed mold. Dirty filters are unable to capture pollutants, which flow into the system. If the drip pan is blocked, water may back up, causing a musty smell. If coils become coated with dust, they may give off a bad smell as they expel heat.
Your AC system`s electrical wiring typically has a plastic coating around it. Anything from worn electrical connections to faulty breakers/short circuits can cause the plastic coating on wires to melt, which can result in a burning plastic smell.
If your unit`s fan motor or circuit board shorted out, your air conditioner may emit a burning odor that smells like gun powder. To eliminate the smell, keep your unit functioning properly, and avoid any risk, it`s best to call an HVAC contractor to fix the issue.
Smelling like chloroform, or sweetish car coolant, Freon, while mostly odorless, is still detectable. Heavier than air, it doesn`t linger for long, quickly dropping down to floor level. Though it won`t make you instantly pass out, this chloroform-scented leak is still dangerous.
AC Works Intermittently: When the air goes from cool to warm to cool again, you`re experiencing intermittent problems. This is often due to a clog in the system, a failed compressor or compressor clutch, a faulty condenser fan, a clog in the system, or the actuator directing airflow has failed.
If your A/C flip-flops from hot to cold and back again, your expansion valve could be failing. The expansion valve removes pressure from liquid refrigerant to allow expansion from a liquid to a vapor state in the evaporator. If the valve is blocked, the refrigerant flow could be restricted or could be too unrestricted.
Can you top your coolant up with water? Coolant should only be topped up with water in case of an emergency when the coolant liquid level is lower than it should be. While topping up with water will help you get safely to the nearest RAC Approved Garage and identify any issues, it shouldn`t be relied upon.
Airflow problems can usually be traced to a dirty air filter, a blocked air duct register, or debris in the ductwork. Dirty coils or frozen evaporator – A dirty evaporator or dirty condenser coils can impede heat transfer of the air conditioning system, allowing it to overheat and shut down.
The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short period of time. However, doing so for longer than 6-8 hours can hurt your system and decrease your home`s indoor air quality.
Sniffing Freon is extremely dangerous and can lead to long-term brain damage and sudden death.
HFC-134a is a nonflammable, colorless gas or liquified gas with a faint ethereal odor. The odor, characterized as weak and nonirritating (Shulman and Sadove 1967), may not be noticeable for most individuals and thus will not serve as a warning property.
Ideally, a freon should last in a car for around 3-4 years. Leaks, adverse weather, and frequent use of the system may demand more frequent inspections. With good care and maintenance, freon gas life can extend up to five years.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car cabin smells of AC refrigerant at times and now the AC is not cooling after about a month of filling it .
ANSWER : If you have detected a refrigerant and oil mist in the cabin, then an evaporator "area" leak is likely. However, any time there is one leak, the entire system should be pressurized (whether pre or post repair) and tested for leaks in order to ensure trouble free operation. To request diagnosis and repair of your system, please use YourMechanic’s a/c diagnostic service page and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
Soap smell coming out of car after cabin change. Changed filter the the smell is still coming. What to do about this strong smell?
ANSWER : Hi There,
As you know, your car has a cabin filter that serves to filter the air that is introduced to the cabin inside the vehicle. The best way to remove your cars interior ac odor is to use a cleaner that uses enzymes. Enzymes in cleaners kill odors at the source and completely kill the smelly substance material and therefore stopping the a bad smell. To get rid of the smell, try the following: First turn on the ac to full, make sure the “recirculate” button is not on, spray a large amount of cleaner with odor killing enzymes into the EXTERIOR air intakes that are located just below the windshield wipers, let the car run for about 10 minutes with the ac on, after 10 minutes turn off ac and spray the cleaner into the ac vents on the INSIDE of your car. After doing all this, let the car sit for 20 minutes turned off and windows rolled up. Then repeat if the smell is still in the car. By doing this you are killing the bacteria or mold in the car ac vent ducts and also the evaporator mold that may be present.
As you know, your car has a cabin filter that serves to filter the air that is introduced to the cabin inside the vehicle. The best way to remove your cars interior ac odor is to use a cleaner that uses enzymes. Enzymes in cleaners kill odors at the source and completely kill the smelly substance material and therefore stopping the a bad smell. To get rid of the smell, try the following: First turn on the ac to full, make sure the “recirculate” button is not on, spray a large amount of cleaner with odor killing enzymes into the EXTERIOR air intakes that are located just below the windshield wipers, let the car run for about 10 minutes with the ac on, after 10 minutes turn off ac and spray the cleaner into the ac vents on the INSIDE of your car. After doing all this, let the car sit for 20 minutes turned off and windows rolled up. Then repeat if the smell is still in the car. By doing this you are killing the bacteria or mold in the car ac vent ducts and also the evaporator mold that may be present.
When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Why does the AC stop cooling the car once the car speed exceeds about 80 Km/h?
ANSWER : The A/C thermal expansion valve (TXV) most likely is the cause of the A/C system freezing up at higher engine or vehicle speeds. The TXV controls the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator and the valve can stick open causing the system to not get cold after it opens or the valve will stick on an almost closed position and cause the orifice to freeze up and cannot control the correct amount of refrigerant flow through the evaporator. The A/C system should be performance tested and checked for pressures to make sure the system has enough refrigerant or the TXV is the cause of the problems. The TXV is mounted to the evaporator and can be replaced separate from the evaporator. If you would like to have this inspected, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the AC issue in person and pinpoint needed repairs.
New car, funny smell from the AC even after disinfectant and perfume bomb.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to provide some insight. The smell you are getting may be a small amount of water that sits in the air conditioning system. After you shut it off, it will start to grow mold. As soon as you start the car and turn on the AC, you will have this water evaporated and blown into the passenger compartment. I recommend looking in the cowl area under wiper arms at bottom of windshield to see if there are any leaves or debris that may grow mold and have it removed and area cleaned. This is where your AC sucks in out side air. Make sure to use recirculating air so you recirculate the inside air and use less outside air.
If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
I have a mini r53 s (supercharged) runs fine but when car stop and AC is on for a wile car overheat
ANSWER : Your question makes me think of a case I ran into a few years ago. The owner had modified his car but when he installed his fans, one of them was wired backwards so the fan ran in reverse. The two fans were fighting each other which was just like having no fan at all, so the car heated up while it was sitting still then it cooled off when moving. Check the rotation of both the fans before you check anything else. If that’s OK, you may be able to track down the problem with a non-contact thermometer, follow the course of the coolant with the beam. The radiator should be about 30 degrees or more cooler at the exit than at the entrance. If you need help with this, contact Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home to check out your overheating problem and let you know what can be done for it.
Plastic burn smell when opening driver door. Cannot smell inside cabin. Oil full, brakes ok.
ANSWER : Hi there. It is very difficult to "guess" as to the cause of a smell like you’ve described without being their to inspection the car personally. I would highly recommend having a professional mechanic complete a smell in the car inspection; especially if you believe it to be an electrical short.
