meis250

Today I noticed that the A/C is not working on my 07 IS250. I have never had issues with it before, and I only use it when hot and humid. I have checked the fuses, one on the engine compartment, one on the driver side inside, both 7.5A, both good. pressing the A/C button turns it on, but only hot air comes out. I do not hear anything when switching the A/C on.

Anything else that I can check? I called the dealer and they told me about reloading the system and looking for a leak, but is the A/C working to start with? Just want to make sure I do all I can do. Thx

David2jzAR

Check your freon levels. If you hear the ac clutch turn over when you press the ac button and only warm air comes out. Most likely you levels are low. Mine did the same thing but only difference was driver side was semi cold and passenger side was just warm air. I did some research and kept hearing the worst case scenarios like my temp door actuator was no good and this and that. I just happened to check my freon levels and it was only at like 10psi ( normal I guess is 27-35psi) added some freon and levels went to 35psi and voila ac again! Hope this helps

meis250

Thanks. I did do a bit of digging and the refrigerant level being low could be the issue. The compressor clutch does not engage on mine so I have to take out the A/C relay and shorten pins if I want to refill, and...I have it in at the Toyoya dealer in town now, they will diagnostic and refill. I am in Canada and the refrigerant cans are not as easily available as they are in the US. Fingers crossed, I hope is just the refrigerant level.

minato

iTrader: (1)

you can get the kit to refil your ac @ any canadian tire, autozone store , I think they sell @ walmart

idoke1

iTrader: (5)

Best of luck on your ac. I'm pretty sure its just your freon being low.

meis250

CT has some r21 type refrigerant which is not the same as standard r134a refrigerant. From what I read people don't suggest mixing plus the $2 gauges that usually come with those seem to be very unreliable.
Anyway, chewing on my fingernails here waiting for the call back...

meis250

ok, $175 later I have ac again, system was refilled and it has a dye in it, I am to check back in 2 weeks and look fir leaks. But they did notice the corner of the condenser being wet so they suspect either the condenser or the connection with the pipe. Never looked for ac system components but even at sewell they are pricy!
Frustrating, it is a Lexus after all! I have an 11 yrs old Sienna that is still working strong, and there was nothing premium about that car whatsoever.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

So they charged you $175 for a $30 container of DIY refrigerent that you could have done in 10 minutes. Boo!

meis250

pretty much...

Time to head down to Niagara Falls, NY and fill up on refrigerant cans, I noticed they even sell them at Walmart

meis250

ok, went for the checkup two weeks later, I have a small leak on the A/C condenser, botom corner on the driver side. Quote is something like 1400+13%tax! @#@$@%it !!! A/C works fine for now which I hope it means that it is a small leak.

Has anybody tried the recharge sprays with the leak stop additives? Any experience with them?

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^Seeing those are MUCH cheaper than the dealer repair, I'd see if that fixed it first! Must be a very small leak if the A/C system still works some.

Wht95scort

You can find the condenser aftermarket. Also remember that the condenser is highly vonerable to road debris.

meis250

I was also quoted a Napa part for 180 with a big question mark for fit, as they could not confirm that it would work. Any suggestion of an aftermarket / good fit condenser?

Bichon

Not sure how you came to that conclusion. It sounds by meis250's description like they spent some time trying to find the leak.

A leak, especially on the low side, can result in non-condensibles being introduced into the system. That's why a good shop will find and fix the leak, evacuate the system with a vacuum pump, and recharge with the correct amount of refrigerant.

meis250

I took it to the Toyota dealer in town, and they found the leak by recharging the system with the dye in the refrigerant. Diagnostic was leaking A/C condenser, replacement recommended. Sewell has it for 380 shipped close to the border, which is better than the 960 I was quoted here.

With 380+ tax for labour , I am looking for an 900$ repair if I pick the OEM condenser from Sewell