2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2001 Ram A/C question

[Prostock]

Are there any common places for leaks? Mine was low on R134a, so we filled it again and put dye in it. So far we don't see any leaks using the infra red and glasses.



Are there any common things that go bad on this truck?



I've heard the evaporators are known to go bad. How hard is it to pull the dash to replace?

 

[B.G. Smith]

The evaporator is pretty common source of leaks on our trucks, it is about a 10 hour labor charge I believe to change the unit out plus parts and refrigerant. bg

 

[Prostock]

The evaporator is pretty common source of leaks on our trucks, it is about a 10 hour labor charge I believe to change the unit out plus parts and refrigerant. bg

Ugh... not what I wanted to hear.

 

[DNewell]

I just had my 98. 5 in to a shop and there's a hose from the evaporator to something else where the fittings were bad on the hose. Crappy factory parts... I had the local shop take the hose to a local hose shop called House of Hose and they made up a new hose for about $100. All together cost me $400 to have the system gone through. This shop did tell me that if you try charging the system yourself with one of those DIY kits, you can pretty much rest assured that no professional shop will ever work on it again. Apparently the DIY kits can overpressure the entire system and when the pro shop works on it, it can blow up causing damage and injury. Best bet is to take it in and see what's really going on... Sorry for the bad news. Oh, and the factory hoses are horribly expensive, would have potentially cost me $600+ with factory hoses...

 

[JKinney]

My wife's dodge mini van is in the a/c shop right now, I received a report of three different leaks around the compressor.



Three years ago the condensor had a leak.



the year before that the shrader valve.

 

[Prostock]

I just had my 98. 5 in to a shop and there's a hose from the evaporator to something else where the fittings were bad on the hose. Crappy factory parts... I had the local shop take the hose to a local hose shop called House of Hose and they made up a new hose for about $100. All together cost me $400 to have the system gone through. This shop did tell me that if you try charging the system yourself with one of those DIY kits, you can pretty much rest assured that no professional shop will ever work on it again. Apparently the DIY kits can overpressure the entire system and when the pro shop works on it, it can blow up causing damage and injury. Best bet is to take it in and see what's really going on... Sorry for the bad news. Oh, and the factory hoses are horribly expensive, would have potentially cost me $600+ with factory hoses...

I find that hard to believe about a professional shop. I did throw a can in myself, and then took it to a friends dealership (GM) and we used their machine to make sure it was full. He didn't notice anything different.



It's still blowing cold, so maybe the leak isn't that bad.

 

[DaveN]

Mine just spring one in the evaporator - takes about two days to bleed down from full recharge.



Personally - if it uses a can a year, then it's not worth fixing. Much more than that - and you probably better find it.



If you cant find it with the dye - I bet it's leaking from the evaporator.

 

[RDHamill]

i'm having a similar issue with my a/c.

Sytem was vac'd and charged in early May, worked great.

Now it has no gas ! So where is the leak? We inspected every component by eye and can see no signs of damage or wear, so then we charged it with nitrogen to 200lbs and let it stand for 2 hours while we sprayed soapy water on everything, thinking that we should see some bubbles or sign of a leak, no luck. I even removed the heater fan and got at the evaporator, not a sign of a leak. I'm thinking that I must have a seal in the front of the compressor bad, when operating, and am considering replacing the unit. You guys have any other thoughts or suggestions ???

 

[Hammer]

WB Tom...

I know you didn't want to hear about the A/C Evaporator core leaking,but,yes my son it IS a well known and constant problem. Mine was done once under warranty along time ago and is in need of being done again. Ma Mopar seems like they never get it correct but I still enjoy my old ride alot.



Anyway,word to the wise IF you do pursue the changing of the core,make sure you also do a heater core along with it. For the extra miniscule amount it will cost while the A/C box is out and the dash torn apart its well worth the prevention...



Hope all is well with you and the family. I'll be slipping out your way soon to visit another TDR member who is assembling a rear for a buddy of mine out here in the next couple weeks... ... Andy

 

[bigredcummins]

I too have had a leak on my '02. I have to recharge it about every summer. I just had it charged yesterday at the local dealership and they also could find no obvious leaks, but they did put die in it and said they would check it in about a month.



I have had several mechanic buddies tell me it is common on this truck for the leak to be in the evaporator too.



Regarding the "do-it-your-self" method, I would also find it hard to believe a shop would no longer work on a truck once you have charged it at home.



Good luck.