What does R-134a smell like?

[Cameramonkey]

Wife's 2007 T&C's AC has been pretty weak for the past year or so. It keeps us cool enough, but takes a while to really cool down. Especially when its been parked outside and is nice and toasty on the inside.

She called to say its not cooling as well, and they smell a weird smell inside the van. When they got out they didnt smell it anymore so they know it wasnt coming from the engine compartment, brakes, etc.

And of course the fam couldnt describe exactly what it smelled like.

So can anyone describe the smell? Does it even have an odor?

 

[rhino]

Wife's 2007 T&C's AC has been pretty weak for the past year or so. It keeps us cool enough, but takes a while to really cool down. Especially when its been parked outside and is nice and toasty on the inside.

She called to say its not cooling as well, and they smell a weird smell inside the van. When they got out they didnt smell it anymore so they know it wasnt coming from the engine compartment, brakes, etc.

And of course the fam couldnt describe exactly what it smelled like.

So can anyone describe the smell? Does it even have an odor?

The refrigerant does not have any odor. You're smelling something else!

 

[Kaneda13]

Been turning wrenches for 15 years, and I have to say, at least to me, R134a has a barnyard smell to it to me. When I get into a hot car, and that's the first thing I smell, it will grab the A/C leak sniffer and check. More often than not, it's got a leak.

 

[PaulF]

R-134 doesn't have much of an odor (at least that I can tell), however the oil used in automotive a/c systems *does* have a distinct odor. A pretty common indicator of an evaporator failure is a chemical odor apparent when you first start the car (or first run the hvac fan) that goes away after a short time.

I can't really describe the odor (smells like PAG oil...lol), but i'd be glad to look at it and give my opinion if that helps...

 

[Cameramonkey]

Thanks guys. Barnyard/earthy smell did come up.

But I’m sitting here in the van and my ear is cold from all the cool air blowing on it.

And im pretty sure if the Evap coil had a leak it would be empty by now. But it’s still cooling.

If anything I think the compressor is weak.

 

[femurphy77]

The refrigerant does not have any odor. You're smelling something else!

OK! WHO FARTED????

 

[KokomoDave]

It smells like victory!
Oh wait, that was a different movie...

 

[historian]

Burnt rope?

 

[churchmouse]

R-134 doesn't have much of an odor (at least that I can tell), however the oil used in automotive a/c systems *does* have a distinct odor. A pretty common indicator of an evaporator failure is a chemical odor apparent when you first start the car (or first run the hvac fan) that goes away after a short time.

I can't really describe the odor (smells like PAG oil...lol), but i'd be glad to look at it and give my opinion if that helps...

Winner.

 

[rhino]

Winner.

At least I got that the refrigerant doesn't smell part! (which is one of the reasons those particular gases are used).

 

[churchmouse]

Thanks guys. Barnyard/earthy smell did come up.

But I’m sitting here in the van and my ear is cold from all the cool air blowing on it.

And im pretty sure if the Evap coil had a leak it would be empty by now. But it’s still cooling.

If anything I think the compressor is weak.

OK. Having raised a family and still surrounded by woman/estrogen if they do not get the cab cooled down from the 95*s it was as it sat out in the sun in the 5 blocks they drove home it has a problem. Or so I have come to realize.

2007.....good chance it is low just a tad. Composite hoses and the compressor seal are the usual suspects. Until you put some gauges on it you are only guessing. Down on charge the suction pressure will be low. Don a lot the compressor cycles. Suction to high with the engine rev's at 2K You might have an issue with the pump. Just guessing here.

 

[thunderchicken]

As for the smell R-134A and R-1234yf (new stuff) are pretty much odorless. But there is a hint of earthy scent or an ether type scent.

 

[PGRChaplain]

When was the last time you changed the Cabin Air Filter?

 

[Hoosierdood]

Someone once put some R-134a on a rag and had me smell it. It smelled sweet.

I don't remember anything after that.

 

[Cameramonkey]

When was the last time you changed the Cabin Air Filter?

Never because I think the 07 predates CAFs.

 

[churchmouse]

Never because I think the 07 predates CAFs.

If you ever get up close hit me up and I will put a gauge on this for you.

 

[Cameramonkey]

OK. Having raised a family and still surrounded by woman/estrogen if they do not get the cab cooled down from the 95*s it was as it sat out in the sun in the 5 blocks they drove home it has a problem. Or so I have come to realize.

2007.....good chance it is low just a tad. Composite hoses and the compressor seal are the usual suspects. Until you put some gauges on it you are only guessing. Down on charge the suction pressure will be low. Don a lot the compressor cycles. Suction to high with the engine rev's at 2K You might have an issue with the pump. Just guessing here.

I think the pump could also be weak. its been slow to cool for the past 3 years. But within 20 mins its OK, but still cant quite keep up when we get near 100.

 

[churchmouse]

I think the pump could also be weak. its been slow to cool for the past 3 years. But within 20 mins its OK, but still cant quite keep up when we get near 100.

It might just be a shade low. That will cause the issues you describe.

 

[Cameramonkey]

It might just be a shade low. That will cause the issues you describe.

It was. I hooked up a refill kit and had to add a bit. Its back in the green, and now the compressor sounds better and not as switchy (you could hear the clutch engaging and dropping regularly). Still no cooler out the vents. but we will see tomorrow.

 

[churchmouse]

It was. I hooked up a refill kit and had to add a bit. Its back in the green, and now the compressor sounds better and not as switchy (you could hear the clutch engaging and dropping regularly). Still no cooler out the vents. but we will see tomorrow.

Yup you were low if the pump was cycling.

When you put it in the green was the engine idling.
The engine needs to be at 30 to 40 and cruising. 1500 to 1800 RPM's and see where its at then.

That puts the pump in the sweet spot.