jaydylan

I have had this problem with my xB since I bought it new. I have taken it to the dealerships over two dozen times and only til recently did they say it was low on Freon but not leaking. They insisted that the Freon level was not filled properly at the factory.
The A/C works fine when going down the road but when it sits at idle or moving at slow speeds such as through a parking lot or drive thru. Oh and also it makes an odd odor when it starts blowing hot. Customer service and the dealership are now saying that
the car is operating as designed. I am wondering if the coil is freezing and the odor coming from a defroster?

lildann

Did they evuacate and recharge the ac system?

jaydylan

yes that has been done several times. they finally had admitted the freon was low but they stated that it just wasn't filled correctly at the factory. it about runs me outta the car so hot

lildann

Did the evac and recharge help the problem? Also, did anyone look at your engine fans to see if they are both working? If it works fine when driving but not when sitting, I would guess that your evaporator is not freezing up. I would look somewhere else. Also, if your ac system has been refilled multiple times, there must be a leak. Try to take it to another dealer.

senorscion

Yeah, a lot of shops shortcut the vacuuming but doing so makes it suck the freon in more efficiently. Sometimes the vacuum pump is not operating properly. or doesn't seal properly.

Pressurizing the line will give you a visual check
when the gauge pressure starts dropping.......

I also run my hands over the lines and the fittings to see if I can feel the leak. There are also leak test kits and glasses where you can see where the leak is if you are unable to hear it.

A lot of times a bubble pack of new washers is cheaper when they try to say the expensive hoses need replacing....

Let us know what they found and we will all get smarter.-Bob

senorscion

A thought added to my other post........
as to the smell, I would pull the
"radiator" from inside the car, dump out the rotting leaves and pressure
wash the crud out of the fins.

I would throughly clean out the ducts before reassenbly.
Use new o-rings when connecting hoses.

I would check to see if leaves have somehow collected
outside the car in the fresh air intakes and I would blow out/wash out
the cowl drains if you can get to them.-Bob