AC not blowing cold

[automaticj5]

Hey Guys -- as a few of you may know - I just upgraded to a power cruiser going on 4 weeks now...

There was a leak - it flooded, it got fixed. What I know is this.

The AC when I got it -- would blow cooler air but never cold and it kept the humidity out very very well.

week 3 the lower level (under the first step) flooded (about 8 inches of water) which is where the AC vent is and it was flooded in water... Boat was pulled, seal, mid bilge pump and shower pump was all replaced and fixed -- no leaks, no water, no problems now...

I went down this weekend -- super muggy in the cabin when I got there, a little condensation -- AC would blow air but not cold.. not cool at all...

Thoughts of what it could be?

2004 Rinker Fiesta Vee volvo 5.7 DP...

Thanks!

 

[Dee Jsaan]

Re: AC not blowing cold

Is this an electrical system AC or a Mechanical System like on a car ?

If it's mechanical,

I'd suggest you get a set of gauges on the system and check the "high" side especially. If your system is similar to a lot of cars there is a
low pressure clutch cycling switch in the line (often on the receiver dryer) that won't allow the clutch to engage if the gas pressure is below a certain level. If you want to test it you may pull the plug off the switch and put a jumper wire across it. If the clutch engages this may be a
hint of low gas pressure. (again this presumes the clutch is working properly)

If you notice the AC blowing cold when it is really hot weather it may be because the gas expands and the system thinks it's charged enough to engage the clutch. Yet in cooler weather you won't be able to get the AC to engage the clutch at all.

If it is electrical, and the gas is low the evaporator coil may freeze up and you get some cool feeling air and have to turn it off such that the frost thaws and drains. Then on the next start up, it blows cold for awhile.

Other sources for the problem could be an "Expansion Valve" or "Expansion tube" (if so equipped)

If you really have to go deeper, you may want to check the Evaporator coil and make sure it is clean and not full of dust and lint. There is
cleaners for cleaning the Evaporator coil and Condenser (hot side) that is just a strong soap. This if the compressor and other equipment in the system is working properly.

About the last thing you may need to look into if it is an old system, is the Receiver Dryer (like a filter) because if it is plugged up you'll have to drain the system and replace it. Then recharge the system. They aren't "that" expensive but can make a real difference if that's the problem. (but if I were going to replace that, I'd replace the expansion valve or tube while it was down for repairs)

I'm just giving "generic" advice here as I don't know the type of system you have or it's age.

Here is an example of a mechanical system used on a car which is belt driven from the engine.
(double click the image to enlarge it)



An Electric system would have an electric motor inside the compressor as a sealed unit and use a thermal sensor on the evaporator coil to signal the control panel and be quite similar. (not having the expansion valve or tube and receiver dryer)

These things are usually rather straight forward and by having a description of certain symptoms as you've described, you can be trouble shoot somewhat.

 

[aspeck]

Re: AC not blowing cold

Low freon, for some reason is the probable cause. That would be the place to start.

 

[JoLin]

Re: AC not blowing cold

This appears to be a new problem that started since you had work done in that area, so unless a mechanic damaged something in the system that caused a leak, I don't see low freon as the most likely cause.

Does the pump run? Is the unit pumping water continuously when it's on? Does the pump cycle on and then shut off a few seconds later? I had some problems getting my AC pump to prime at the beginning of this season. It'd run a few seconds, then shut down because water wasn't flowing through the system.

My .02

 

[aspeck]

Re: AC not blowing cold

John, it was blowing cool only, not cold, now not even cool. Sounds like a slow leak in the system, or possible plug in the system. It is possibly a compressor, a fan not cooling the unit, or even a relay, but the place to start is if it is running and not blowing cool, check the freon. If freon is low, check for a leak.

 

[JoLin]

Re: AC not blowing cold

Just re-read the OP's post a little more carefully. I agree.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: AC not blowing cold

..... but the place to start is if it is running and not blowing cool, check the freon. If freon is low, check for a leak.

Absolutely correct. We have an HVAC person in the family who I've learned a lot from. A big mistake would be to simply shoot more freon into the system without figuring out why it's losing it in the first place.

 

[agallant80]

Re: AC not blowing cold

You should have a 120 Volt raw water pump that sucks water through a seacock, through a strainer then through the system to cool the compresser. Do you have water flow coming out of the hull when the A/C is running?

 

[automaticj5]

Re: AC not blowing cold

Yes the water is definitely running through... And when I turn the ac it in definitely kicks and stays on..

 

[agallant80]

Re: AC not blowing cold

Did you look at the coils? If you are low on Freon then the coils will freeze up.