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2008 prius w 87K on it not cooling

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jbirdawg, Feb 23, 2018.

  1. jbirdawg

    jbirdawg Junior Member

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    We are new to the world of prius having bought this one in the past year so I am still learning. Right now the AC stopped cooling. Fans are blowing strong. I looked in the sight window w ac running on low temp and high fans and didn't see any bubbling or frothing in the window. Just nothing there at all. I am not sure what the condenser sounds like so I have no idea if it were running. I heard the engine typically come on for a bit and when it stopped I couldn't hear really any noise. I would love to not take it in to the dealer and recharge it myself if that is what is needed but I do not know how to tell. Suggestions anyone? Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    compressor makes a buzzing noise, fairly load, outside the cabin.
     
  3. jbirdawg

    jbirdawg Junior Member

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    Apparently there is no freon in there. I opened the L cap and pressed on the pin and there was no pressurized hiss from the freon.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's bad, and you need to find the leak as well.
     
  5. jbirdawg

    jbirdawg Junior Member

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    Lordy.......
     
  6. jbirdawg

    jbirdawg Junior Member

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    I am guessing it is a waste to self charge it up since it will just leak out.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't say for sure, but a general fyi, because prius has electric a/c compressor, you have to be careful to use the correct products. many a/c shops don't even know this.
     
  8. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Has the AC system being cooling before when you bought the car?

    If it has, then you have a(or some leaks) in the system.

    If you got that time, you could for sure trace tgr leaks with the right tools.

    Do you see any signs of oily stuffs in the hoses/pipes attached to the compressor at the hood? If you don't, then it implies the leak might be coming from the evaporator area, which means you'd have to teardown the dash to access it.

    Take it to any Prius ship that fixes AC systems. If you can do it yourself,
     
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  9. jbirdawg

    jbirdawg Junior Member

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    Yeah, we have had the car for 9 months I think and the AC has been fine. Of course it has been cool in the Atlanta area for quite a while and he hasn't needed it. We just had a couple of warm enough days to need cooling and there was nothing there. I will have to check around the hoses and see what I see. I wonder if there are independent shops that are better deals than the dealer prices around here. I haven't researched that yet.
     
  10. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Probably the heat must have resulted into damaged seals that's y there might a leak.

    Please do not put on the AC compressor any longer, since there isn't freon in the system.

    Remember, the freon acts as the coolant and lubricant for the electric motor in the AC compressor housing.
     
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  11. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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