I was having issues with the dash air conditioner this summer and just got around to looking for answers with it.
The air was working "sorta" and I added 134 to the unit. The fan belt wheel for the air conditioner was not catching and spinning until I added the 134. Then it caught and was ok for a few hours. Then it started spinning again and the air was not cold. Taking it to a shop they claimed the unit (pictured) was the issue and should be replaced. Is this true...cause I do not know what the unit was he was talking about. Any answers what I am looking at in the picture?? If this is the case, is it DYI friendly to replace??
Also the rotating knob for the heat/cold is VERY hard to turn and seems to be sticking. I am thinking that cable lube (used in my harley on the clutch cable) would do the trick but want to be sure... any suggestions?
That is the A/C filter drier. If it is leaking then they are correct however if it isn't leaking it won't solve the problem of losing refrigerant.
Is the air conditioner filter easy to change??
I have changed one before, fairly easy. Once that is done the system will need to vacuumed with a vacuum pump.
Raise the dash lid and you will see a nut on the back side of the temp control knob. While looking at the cable rotate the knob left and right.. you could put a bit of lube on the extended cable and work it back and forth may help unless there is a catch farther up the cable. Ive never tried getting lube farther up into a control cable but after what I described it may free up.
Those driers can corrode on the top surface. A leak there can be very difficult to detect.
Would adding a can of r134a with dye be helpful in finding a leak?
Sometimes. If it is a small leak it is hard to see. Some of the dyes are better than others. I use the uv dye and special glasses and uv flashlight. Even with this I have had to use my sniffer to find leaks. A good A/C shop has the gas sniffer and good dye.
Amazon.com: InterDynamics Certified AC Pro Car Air Conditioner Leak Detector... (https://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-Certified-Universal-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B008QDXPFK/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ac+dye+kit&qid=1611076945&sr=8-2)