A/C Questions - Blowing Warm Air
 

Hi

When I bought my car the A/C was blowing warm air out, I told the dealership(not a mazda dealership,little small dealership) and they filled it up(looked like they used some kit). A year went by and I could feel that the A/C was not as cold anymore(but still not bad) and now this year it is back to blowing warm air out.

I figured I have a small leak so I went and bought a recharge kit myself(figured if I have to fill it up with a can every year would be alright). After about a month someone mentioned that my A/C felt not as cold anymore. The next week I checked(so about 50 days later).

I filled it up to about 35psi and now it is back to 10psi(what was the lv before I filled it up). I guess the leak is now bigger than I originally thought.

I am now weighing my options. I going to phone some mechanics and see how much it would run on average to fix and fill up.

I also have the option try those self sealing kits and maybe if the hole is small enough it could work. I was looking at the brand of my recharge kit and these self sealing cans run right now around $26 bucks plus another refill can would be prob another $17, so I am not sure if it worth the try(starting to not become a cheap try)

I am planning to go to the U.S and maybe if I see they have it cheaper might give it a try but I noticed that in the the U.S they have different numbers. Mine is RA-12a and in the U.S is RA-134a so I am not sure if they can be mixed or if they will work in my car(I think it would work but not sure).

I am not sure also if I can use my same hose(the kit says don't use other brands of can in it...but that could be like the printer companies saying only use their ink).

Any thoughts?

I have a Mazda 3 2008, sedan automatic.

I'd definitely talk to someone who does a/c repair. They should be able to recharge it with refrigerant and a dye to figure out where it's leaking. That way you can find out if it's a $500 part or a $10 hose. The test may cost you $70-100 depending on the shop, but could also save you from perpetually spending money on a recharge.... not to mention leaking refrigerant everywhere you go.

I think I finally found a shop that can do a A/C check that makes sense to me. I phoned like 6 places up and most wanted me to pay $120-$180 to refill my A/C and drive around with it starts blowing hot air and come back and then check for leaks(they would have put dye in it).

I think that is such a stupid way to do it, as I am paying so much money to recharge my A/C knowing that maybe in a month or 2 it will all be gone.

The place I found said they will hook it up so some air system and pump air into it and find the leaks that way and supposedly will only cost $29.

I will be booking an appointment soon with them unless they quote me some different price.

This way I know what kind of leak I am dealing with, if it is a big leak then guess will shop around to see if the guys prices are good.

I probably will just by some cans of Red Tek once the leak is fixed though as I have the hose and all and will cost like at least 75% cheaper to fill myself.