Postby PathyRaffy » Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:13 pm
Was wondering if anyone here might have an idea or experience with my problem.
About a year and a half to two years ago, we bought a used 2008 Pathfinder SE 4x4. The AC worked ok when we purchased it, but slowly, over time, has become useless (blows air, but not cold, regardless of the temp. setting).
Today, I finally took it to a local AC repair place that's been around forever and has very good reviews/recommendations. They advise that the AC coolant is low (no real surprise), but that they don't see any obvious leaks. They tell me they will recharge the system with dyed coolant, then I can drive around for a week or so, then come back to see if there are any leaks and where they are. No problem so far.
Then, they hook the Pathy to their recharging system and turn it on. I notice that they seem to be having problems (they are tapping the gauges, inspecting hoses, etc.). They ask me if I've ever had any problems with the Pathy overheating. I advised them that I had not (in fact, the temp. gauge usually pegs just shy of 50% and stays there, regardless of ambient temp. or driving conditions). They showed me that in the several minutes they've been trying to recharge the AC, the temp gauge has risen well past 50%, at least 75% and rising, which has stopped the AC system and caused them to be unable to charge the coolant. They shut off the motor and say that they think there is an issue with the cooling system, which is preventing them from charging the AC, and recommend I get it checked out before coming back. They tell me not to run the AC before getting the cooling system repaired, for fear of overheating. No cost for the their work.
I drove the Pathy home, and, as usual, the temp. gauge went down to just shy of 50%. I've made an appointment to inspect the cooling system at an indy shop near my workplace for tomorrow.
Before I take it in, I was wondering if anyone has had any problems like this with their Pathys. I don't see anything exactly like this in searching the forums, but was wondering if it could be related to the fan clutch or some other related issue with the fans. (As an aside, I have inspected the AC lines running to the back of the truck and, as far as I can tell, they look ok, with no obvious signs of corrosion or leaking.)