Help With air conditioner

Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,000 MILES
Hi, I am trying to find some one in my area who can help my husband and I out with an air conditioner problem. I am a female yes, but I do know how to follow directions and make small repairs on our vehicle. I am doing this because my husband is needing heart surgery and getting out in the heat for doctor appointments etc is making him worse. I have paid two local mechanics $780.00 total to send me home both times with an air conditioner that lasted two days and then three minutes down the road the second time. I cannot pay rent and they have successfully taken advantage of me being a female So here is the issue. I first noticed the "Mist" from the vents as many call it inside the cab. The air conditioner pressure kept checking out perfect. Then I started smelling a strong chemical smell inside the cab and after the air conditioner started blowing warm and I rolled down the windows, it was even stronger. The second mechanic told me it was a bad heat coil which we suspected, and it was actually leaking coolant down along the passenger side of the expedition onto the tail pipe causing us to get sick off those fumes. After paying him $656.00, two weeks ago, the air conditioner worked two times and now blows hot hot air. No more smells and a second visit to second mechanic showed nothing wrong he can see, but he said he thought it was a little motor that costs $57.00 maybe and his labor would be another $210.00. However he is not guaranteeing that is whats wrong. I do not know what to do, but I have changed out a few window motors and light engine items before, and if I am able I have to try to fix this for my husband. Any one have any ideas? It would be so appreciated.
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 12:24 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Air conditioner repairs can be very complicated and as a rule, are not DIY type repairs. Even most general repair technicians are not qualified to diagnose air conditioner problems as you have found out. You really need an air conditioner specialist to diagnose this problem. We may be able to advise you on the repairs but first someone qualified needs to diagnose the issue. It sounds like it may have a good size leak but that has to be determined accurately.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, thank you, is there any one in the Foley Alabama area that would be willing to help me with a proper diagnosis that is willing to work with me financially you know of?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, June 9th, 2016 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
I could not tell you. I am in South Florida. Use local word of mouth recommendations or referral service like Angies list.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, June 9th, 2016 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hi,

Here is a guide to help you understand what is going on and some insight to the repairs that might be needed, also it sounds like the system is leaking and they just keep missing where the leak is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

The leak is usually a compressor, hose or condenser

Here are the repairs so you can get an idea what to expect if this is the case

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

and

https://youtu.be/ipmmluZmgaU

Let us know what you find

Best, Ken

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, June 11th, 2016 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I haven't found out any more other than there isn't any one in my area who would want to help me get this air working for my husband. I drove him to have a medical test done and he spent a total of ten minutes in the car without the A/c (but all windows were down) last Friday morning 6/11/2016 and he was ambulanced from home a couple hours later, he stopped breathing. We just got home from ICU so I'm clueless what to do next but if there was an award from you sending the video's and trying to help us "KEN" I would give you one. Thank You for trying. (If you believe in prayer though. You could say one for my husband, my daughter's and I are not ready to lose him)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
BY the way-I have been using his face book to log in because I deleted mine last year
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
I am so sorry to hear about your husband I hope things work out okay for you and will also say a prayer for you. It sounds like you still have a leak in the system, the problem is it is difficult to find without a leak detector, I don't want to send you down a road you will not be able to fix without the right equipment and know how. Maybe you can give me a phone numbers of garages in your area and I can call them for you to see if they are willing to take your car in to get it fixed. I can help guide them, please do not take it back to the people you took it to the first time, they must have missed something.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Here are two near me, the Foley Al. Is very close to us but both are within driving distance and they say they do A/c Work. If you have time and speak to them finding them more than qualified to do anything that could be wrong, please let me know and as I save up for the repairs I will use them as soon as I can. I cant thank you enough "Ken" for the extra efforts. My husbands freaking out because I reached out online lol, but yall's site comes "Highly recommended" on the web for quality sound car care advice.

Pep Boys Foley
1327 S McKenzie Street, Foley, AL 36535
(716) 780-4412
Elite Automotive
25550 US Highway 98 Elberta, AL 36530-2628 (251) 986-6343
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
I'm sorry I didn't get the message till after they closed I will call tomorrow morning for you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Okay, I talked to Doug at Pep Boys and says he has a good A/C named Steve that can fix the problem for you, tell them everything that has happens and that the system seems like it has a leak, I wish I could fix it for you but being many miles away It would be tough, please let me know how it goes and if I can help you in anyway,

I will say a prayer for you and your family

Best, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, June 16th, 2016 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
KEN: Please dont send any one to Pep Boys in Foley, Al. They lied to us and kept us waiting for 4 days for our vehicle.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 27th, 2016 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
I am sorry for that, I don't know what kind of guys they are they seemed good on the phone. What happened?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, June 27th, 2016 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
We dropped it off after speaking with Doug on Tue am. He said it was next in line that day. Then his tech ran into trouble with another vehicle so it was after 5pm that day before he ran a check on it. It showed problem flag with the actuator blend door. They said theyd get into the dash next day first thing and see if it was actually bad, stuck or came unplugged etc. Then if need replacing theyd give us a quote. Wed we called after 11am after not hearing from them and they said their tech called in sick, it would be Later that day before steve could get to it. We called after 1pm. Oh Steve had car trouble getting here today but he will get into and we will call you tomorrow soon as he gets in cause its got a million screws that have to be removed just to get to that part. It'll be tomorrow. It sat the whole time never even moved from the garage spot, I live near them so everyday when I took my husband to the hospital Id stop by and look in at it. They never took the dash apart and checked the part, but called the next day and said it will be 967.00 to replace it if you want it done. I'm no idiot to being given the run around, and I was really embarrassed to borrow my sisters car every day with those excuses from Doug and Steve. Then having to go pick it up with nothing done. Our car is now running Horribly when we put it into gear and cannot be used. I really appreciate so much you trying though. (By the way, Doug said he never even remembered speaking to you over and over). Clearly they didnt want to fool with it. I have cried till I cant anymore, but I feel at some point it has to get better and the Lord will help me with it. I bought a Haynes Manual for our Vehicle and going to try when I can to get into see the part. Anyway, I saw many a car come in and out of their garages while mine sat for four days.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
That is a sad story, I called and talked to them. I cant believe the way they treated you, I wish I could fly back there and fix it myself. I feel sorry for you and people like you that just want to have their car fixed, please expect my apology. Do you have a friend or someone that can recommend someone in your area that can work on it for you? I hope your husband is doing better.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL NIER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I never doubted you had. He seemed nice to us as well. I have asked around but no one knows any one around here except the Ford dealership and they are 100.00 an hour for labor alone, and they said they do not have any programs in place to help people like us. It's okay lol, I could never ask you to anyway, but it's nice to know you would if could! My husband is scheduled to go into the Baptist Hosp soon for surgery, and hopefully it will be successful and he will be able to regain his health
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
I hope it all turn out okay, please let us know
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, June 28th, 2016 AT 6:49 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links