I call shotgun on first A/C thread for the summer!

[Dr Jekkyl]

AU1 Fairmont AC is cactus - blowing mostly cold air, then occasionally working such that mist is blowing from the vents!

I called an auto A/C 'expert' who tells me that it 'definitely' is the orifice valve but I am not convinced. I figure that if this valve is the issue then the piping should be cold from the compressor to the valve and hot from the valve to the firewall.

The situation is however that the entire piping is hot. This suggests to me that something more serious is going on upstream (i.e. condenser)

Furthermore, as I think I also have a prob with the AC clutch, when the A/C does work I get hunting at idle. Interestingly I get no such idle problems when its blowing hot air further suggesting to me that the problem is more serious.

Can anyone offer any insights into this? Or correct my logic?

[foxtrot3]

Hi. The mist from the vents usually means low gas levels which are commonly caused by the seal in the compressor leaking due to lack of use in the off season. If the seal isn't burnt a regas and check for leaks is normally all you need. Cheers MD

[my671fordv8]

I thought the gas coming through the vent meant low gas level . Plus check out how to fix the aircon turning off problem i posted from the 14/10 . sorry i got in just B4 you.

[mrfordfairmont]

i had mist blowing from the vents in a limo i use to drive
not long after the ac was regassed and it was due to how bloody cold the it was, we had due on the outside of the windows

[Mr Hardware]

mist from vents does not necessarily equal low gas
we'd have cabs do that from the day they were regassed and continue to untouched for years

[Dr Jekkyl]

OK. Now it gets more complex.

I had the system serviced and re-gassed. Aircon tech tells me that gas level was low but not terribly so. Orifice valve was patent (system not disintegrating from the inside!) BUT as for intermittent operation......he has never come across it before.

Now.....have same issue still but 'works' more frequently. I had an old climate control unit so put that it and it would seem that AC works really well with this unit.

So the problem appears to be related to the climate control unit. I have heard of solder joints going 'dry' but figure that would mean either always on or off.

Any ideas?

[my671fordv8]

I have heard of solder joints going 'dry' but figure that would mean either always on or off.
The solder joints go dry and if you look at them with a magnifying light they have hairline cracks in them . The problem is that they flex when you turn on the aircon and short out turning the aircon off again . This pic is of my type of aircon