A/C not working while on my way to work?

Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
On September 17 while on my way to work, my ac suddenly started blowing hot air. The next day, It started working again. Like there is no issue. A friend of mine who knows about cars told me that I need to add Freon. I went to AutoZone, got some Freon. Two hours later, the ac started blowing hot air again. I changed the cabin filter which was super dirty thinking could be the issue but it was not. Ac has been working at all since third day. I'm not 100% sure if it's the issue is with the compressor, condenser, leak or fuse etc. I also check the clutch and I can freely turn it by hand. I notice the clutch does not cycle on and off while the ac is on. I'm not sure how fast both fans are suppose to spin but they don't look like spin at full speed. I might be wrong on that but I wanted to mention it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Sunday, September 21st, 2025 AT 7:40 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
No problem, I can help you but I need to know if there is pressure inside the system, can you reconnect the gauge you got from AutoZone (car off) so you can tell me what the gauge says? If it is in the red, turn the system on and watch the clutch, it should engage. Let start there. Let me know what you find, Ken
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Monday, September 22nd, 2025 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
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  • 10 POSTS
Yes, there is pressure inside the system. I connected the gauge the low pressure side reading is between 60 and 70 but for the high pressure, as soon I slowly start turning on the valve, the line start leaking freon and making loud hissing noise from the end connection. I can see freon bubbling inside the tiny glass like a hot bowling water. The more I open the valve, higher the reading but also louder the hissing noise and more freon coming out. For safety reason and I did not want to release to much freon in the air, I turned the valve off and stopped. First pic shows both low and high lines are connected but valves are not turned on yet. Second Pic only low pressure valve is on. For some reason i'm not able to load either a pic or a video of the high pressure where it's leaking and making hissing sound. I tried my to explain the issue. Hopefully you get it. Thanks
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 AT 12:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds like the system has a large leak, can you tell where it is coming from?
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I visually checked both the low and high pressure lines all the way to the condenser and the ac compressor and I could find where it's leaking. I even used soap water. I plan to buy a uv dye ac leak detection. I know there are many videos on youtube explain how to find a leak in the system. I will explore that as well. Thanks for your prompt asnswer!
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I think you are right regarding the leak. After I added freon, the ac still did not working. Possibly the system leaked it out. One thing very important worth to mention. I think I did overcharge the system in the beginning when I found out my ac is not working. I checked the freon level with a gauge. It was on green but not where it suppose to be. I thought I was low on freon. I added some freon but the ac still not work. Few hours later I checked, the freon reading was on RED and still on red. I don't know if that will make any different or not because the ac was not working before I added freon and still not working after I added Freon.
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
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  • 10 POSTS
I did a test leak using the UV DYE process and I checked for leaks in the dark but for some reason I have not been able to find where a leak.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I may have found where the leak is coming from. I spray soapy water where both H and L are connected. I can bubbles coming out and on the bottom below the H line it look like a bowling water. Could this be the evaporator?
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Thanks for the video, if you did overcharge the system the compressor has a pressure relief valve which can leak once it has allow pressure to bled off. Please go over this video it will help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrhWKlQEPWw

I don't see the leak in the video, sorry, has it bubbling? You can confirm with a leak detector, you can rent one from Autozone for free. FYI.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I also notice the ac compressor clutch does not engage anymore. I went to auto zone yesterday and got the gauge, I got the uv dying and performed a test leak. Is that the one you are talking about there is something else I can get at auto zone. Is possible can you tell me the name of the leak detector
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
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Yes it's bubbling really bad when I use soapy water
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Then you found the leak, the expansion valve O rings must be bad or the expansion valve itself is leaking, I would watch the video again so help you see if any pressure is left is the system and then remove he valve and get a new part for it, then vacuum down and recharge it.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
PROSPERITY80
  • MEMBER
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OK. Thank a lot
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,601 POSTS
Let us know how it goes or if you have any troubles, we are here to help.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:40 AM

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