Do the a/c sealers actually work? (Not about my Jeep)

 

Sometimes as a last ditch effort if you can't afford to fix it correctly. They often plug up the orifice and cause more expensive problems down the road.

 

Wife’s car started acting up. Might try filling it up with r134a with dye and see where it leaks. Need to check why her aux fan isn’t coming on too.

 

Go with the dye.

I couldn't find the leak in my sister-in-law's Prius until I tried the dye. Once I found the leak it was a straightforward fix.

Bear in mind that hybrid A/C's are MUCH DIFFERENT than the conventional systems used in our XJ's - I had to buy a second manifold gauge set so I didn't contaminate my sister-in-law's Prius system with the PAG oil residue on the set I used for my XJ. Still saved a ton of money over having a shop fix her A/C.

Also, if you visit a forum for another vehicle, you'll gain a whole new level of appreciation for this forum. Even the forum for the Prius (which is a hugely popular vehicle, obviously) was like pulling teeth to get advice on even the simple questions.

 

Hers is a 2004 Saturn Ion, not hybrid

 

Nice! I did a little work on a Saturn Ion years ago and it was interesting.. very odd vehicle, but not difficult to deal with.

 

If your Saturn is anything like mine, do not use sealant! It will clog the expansion valve.

BTW - is it not blowing cold air at idle but does blow cold air when you bring the RPM up? If so, there is a cheap fix for it. This is a common Saturn problem.

 

It is occasionally blowing cool, usually ambient. Gets near over heating when sitting idling, fan clutch probably bad if it has one, electric fan not coming on. What is the easy fix?

 

You should have the 2.2L Ecotec in that thing so no fan clutch. I just have 1 fan electric fan on mine but not sure if the Ions have 2. I have a Vue. But ya, if the AC fan isnt kicking on, thats the first thing to fix.

I believe both our vehicles use the same AC compressor and expansion valve. If so, I have a lot of extra AC parts if you need them. Just threw on the 3rd compressor last night...

This is the cheap fix for if your AC doesnt really work at idle.

https://www.techchoiceparts.com/inve...lve-with-oring

 

Thanks. That "site cannot be reached" but it might be the work IT system, will check from home.

 

Also, I had O'Reilly guys put the scanner on it. Said it had an a/c leak, and a bunch of other stuff. Part was the O2 sensors but the gas cap was shot, so replaced it and will see if some of that goes away.

 

Link works from home. Neat. Does refrigerant have to be removed first before replacing? OK, read instructions.

 

Glad it worked from home! The compressor I bought from them is supposed to have that part in it already. So if it solved my issue, I will let you know. If I have time tonight I am going to throw in some R134 and see what it does.

 

First thing is checking that fan sensor. Then have the codes reset and see how things are running.

It also revs up on its own, goes over 2k and if your foot is not hard on brake it will lurch.

 

Temp sensor seems to be working. Should have known that because it reads on the dash. Disconnecting that annoying little bugger reads all the way down cold on the dash, and fan does not come on.

Next on the list is the fan relay, took a while to find a diagram where that thing is.