Air Conditioner questions
October 18th, 2018, 2:10 AM
#1
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
Air Conditioner questions
Hello, I've just bought myself a 2006 Uplander. I've never owned a vehicle with Air Conditioning before. After getting it home and parking it in the same place for 24 hours, I noticed what looked like a small oil slick where it had been parked. It felt like extremely thin oil and had a strong smell to it. I found where the leak was coming from and watched it over the next few days. Sometimes it would drip, and sometimes it wouldn't. Once, there was a yellow residue in the liquid that didn't look anything like the fluids found under the hood. I've since learned that the A/C produces water condensation that sometimes picks up dust and other things before dripping off the A/C lines. When I put a piece of cardboard underneath, it didn't leave an oil slick, just a smudge-like dust residue. Also, the dealer I bought my Uplander from cleaned it, tuned it up, and changed all the fluids before putting it on the market. My first question is does the A/C have to be turned on to produce condensation, or do I just have to turn on the heater or windshield defogger? What would account for the strong smell and oily feel? Is there a leak in my A/C., or is there another explanation for this? Thanks!
October 18th, 2018, 3:43 PM
#2
CF Monarch
Hello, I've just bought myself a 2006 Uplander. I've never owned a vehicle with Air Conditioning before. After getting it home and parking it in the same place for 24 hours, I noticed what looked like a small oil slick where it had been parked. It felt like extremely thin oil and had a strong smell to it. I found where the leak was coming from and watched it over the next few days. Sometimes it would drip, and sometimes it wouldn't. Once, there was a yellow residue in the liquid that didn't look anything like the fluids found under the hood. I've since learned that the A/C produces water condensation that sometimes picks up dust and other things before dripping off the A/C lines. When I put a piece of cardboard underneath, it didn't leave an oil slick, just a smudge-like dust residue. Also, the dealer I bought my Uplander from cleaned it, tuned it up, and changed all the fluids before putting it on the market. My first question is does the A/C have to be turned on to produce condensation, or do I just have to turn on the heater or windshield defogger? What would account for the strong smell and oily feel? Is there a leak in my A/C., or is there another explanation for this? Thanks!
Hopefully it isn't the eveaporator. Those require taking the dash apart, a major job.
October 18th, 2018, 3:46 PM
#3
CF Monarch
Hello, I've just bought myself a 2006 Uplander. I've never owned a vehicle with Air Conditioning before. After getting it home and parking it in the same place for 24 hours, I noticed what looked like a small oil slick where it had been parked. It felt like extremely thin oil and had a strong smell to it. I found where the leak was coming from and watched it over the next few days. Sometimes it would drip, and sometimes it wouldn't. Once, there was a yellow residue in the liquid that didn't look anything like the fluids found under the hood. I've since learned that the A/C produces water condensation that sometimes picks up dust and other things before dripping off the A/C lines. When I put a piece of cardboard underneath, it didn't leave an oil slick, just a smudge-like dust residue. Also, the dealer I bought my Uplander from cleaned it, tuned it up, and changed all the fluids before putting it on the market. My first question is does the A/C have to be turned on to produce condensation, or do I just have to turn on the heater or windshield defogger? What would account for the strong smell and oily feel? Is there a leak in my A/C., or is there another explanation for this? Thanks!
October 19th, 2018, 8:24 PM
#4
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
Hello, Oil Can Henry,
Thanks for your reply. I'm sure learning a lot about A/C. While the mystery has been solved for me, I think this information might be valuable to someone else, so I'll add what else I've learned abut it. I've just had a long talk with a friend who has a mechanic's ticket and who checked the leak for me. He identified the mystery oil as A/C lube. He say it is coming from a faulty line hose. By feeling along it, he was able to tell that part of the line was rusted out. I asked him if it was possible that that it could have been spilled onto the lines when the van was serviced at the dealer's before I bought it. He said no. A Canister of Freon/AC lube won't release its contents until it's fit snugly into an intake socket attached to the A/C unit. Now I have the fun of calling the holder of the third party warranty, that came with the van, to see if they'll cover the fix. Is it or is it not a "pre-existing" issue? (Which wouldn't be covered.) One week later and I still haven't heard back from the dealership owner.
Thanks for your reply. I'm sure learning a lot about A/C. While the mystery has been solved for me, I think this information might be valuable to someone else, so I'll add what else I've learned abut it. I've just had a long talk with a friend who has a mechanic's ticket and who checked the leak for me. He identified the mystery oil as A/C lube. He say it is coming from a faulty line hose. By feeling along it, he was able to tell that part of the line was rusted out. I asked him if it was possible that that it could have been spilled onto the lines when the van was serviced at the dealer's before I bought it. He said no. A Canister of Freon/AC lube won't release its contents until it's fit snugly into an intake socket attached to the A/C unit. Now I have the fun of calling the holder of the third party warranty, that came with the van, to see if they'll cover the fix. Is it or is it not a "pre-existing" issue? (Which wouldn't be covered.) One week later and I still haven't heard back from the dealership owner.
Last edited by Inari; October 19th, 2018 at 8:25 PM. Reason: Wording too awkward
December 17th, 2018, 10:25 PM
#5
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
Follow-up: I demonstrated to the dealer's mechanic was we had found and he agreed to put in another a/c line and recharge the A/C..
December 18th, 2018, 11:00 AM
#6
CF Monarch
