My A/C Keeps Exploding

[puppykhan]

While driving my 2024 Willis 4xe, I hear what sounds like a small explosion, see a puff of white smoke come out of the engine area, then the A/C no longer works.

I had this repaired. A hose burst, and lost all the Freon. Freon is expensive to replace, like a thousand or two.

Then it happened again a few months later.

The repair is supposed to have its own warranty but still.

Anybody else having trouble with their A/C like this?

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[Dyolfknip74]

I am pretty sure there hasnt been others, at least not posted on here.

They dont use Freon anymore but yes, the refrigerant is spendy.

Freon is now used to spray on baby seals and punch them through the atmosphere in the Artic, or it was banned in the 90s due to ozone layer decline. I cant remember which.

 

[DaltonGang]

While driving my 2024 Willis 4xe, I hear what sounds like a small explosion, see a puff of white smoke come out of the engine area, then the A/C no longer works.

I had this repaired. A hose burst, and lost all the Freon. Freon is expensive to replace, like a thousand or two.

Then it happened again a few months later.

The repair is supposed to have its own warranty but still.

Anybody else having trouble with their A/C like this?

Never heard of that issue. Just let the warranty do its thing. For the future, when you run low on Freon(refrigerant), I still call it freon, the 1234xyz? can be replaced with the older, cheaper, and just as good 134a Freon. You just need a $15 adaptor to charge it.

 

[Gregj]

I hope they look for an obstruction in the expansion valve. Something is driving the high side pressure up and that can destroy the compressor.

Gregj

 

[alphawolff]

expansion valve is a common fault on these but i've seen failed compressors a lot too. it's one or the other i'd say

 

[redracer]

I'd also suggest to have them check the high side pressure sensor.

From what I can tell from my poking about while trying to resolve my own pitiful cooling performance, the system regulates the compressor based on the high side pressures. I could see a scenario where that pressure reading is very off and the compressor is commanded to run way faster than it should, and cause hose after hose to burst. ... But that's just a quick arm chair guess.

If you have the JScan app, go to modules, Hybrid Control Processor, Live Data, and search for AC data... High side pressure is in there.

 

[alphawolff]

I'd also suggest to have them check the high side pressure sensor.

From what I can tell from my poking about while trying to resolve my own pitiful cooling performance, the system regulates the compressor based on the high side pressures. I could see a scenario where that pressure reading is very off and the compressor is commanded to run way faster than it should, and cause hose after hose to burst. ... But that's just a quick arm chair guess.

If you have the JScan app, go to modules, Hybrid Control Processor, Live Data, and search for AC data... High side pressure is in there.

the compressor should blow out of its relief valve before a hose blows

 

[puppykhan]

Latest update: Parts came in so they replaced the hose again, and then it blew up again right in the mechanic's face.

Now trying to find out if a proper repair of the underlying issue (compressor never turns off?) is covered under warranty or not.

 

[DaltonGang]

Latest update: Parts came in so they replaced the hose again, and then it blew up again right in the mechanic's face.

Now trying to find out if a proper repair of the underlying issue (compressor never turns off?) is covered under warranty or not.

Sounds like they just need to replace the compressor. I hope they gave you a loaner.

 

[alphawolff]

expansion valve/compressor one or the other is causing your issue. id say compressor as the relief valve should blow before any system damage can occur

 

[Kerney]

I had this repaired. A hose burst, and lost all the Freon. Freon is expensive to replace, like a thousand or two.

You are off by a couple zeros. A can of refrigerant is $10-15. I don't know the JLs capacity but when I replaced my sons compressor,vacuumed the system, and filled from empty in his civic it took about 2 cans so let's say $30. I had to buy a small kitchen scale to measure the second cans weight to get the proper amount.

I'd agree with others sounds like compressor and valve should be replaced. I never did ac work before but a shop wanted about 2k and a new compressor was only 300-400. It's not to complicated.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...GJLY-GLKyAceaTlIWL-pmO_rcvNRwEyRoCuP4QAvD_BwE

 

[alphawolff]

You are off by a couple zeros. A can of refrigerant is $10-15. I don't know the JLs capacity but when I replaced my sons compressor,vacuumed the system, and filled from empty in his civic it took about 2 cans so let's say $30. I had to buy a small kitchen scale to measure the second cans weight to get the proper amount.

I'd agree with others sounds like compressor and valve should be replaced. I never did ac work before but a shop wanted about 2k and a new compressor was only 300-400. It's not to complicated.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...GJLY-GLKyAceaTlIWL-pmO_rcvNRwEyRoCuP4QAvD_BwE

freon for a jl used be in the 600-700 range. prices have come down to around 300-400ish. 1234yf is still very expensive. you're getting confused with r134a which is dirt cheap

 

[Kerney]

freon for a jl used be in the 600-700 range. prices have come down to around 300-400ish. 1234yf is still very expensive. you're getting confused with r134a which is dirt cheap

Didn't realize that wrangler uses something different (1234yf) so that's good I better look for my newer cars before I work on them. They are under warranty though. But looking online you can get a can of 1234yf for $25(amazon) to 50 at autozone. Jl capacity says 1 pound which is 2 cans so let's say $100?

 

[alphawolff]

Didn't realize that wrangler uses something different (1234yf) so that's good I better look for my newer cars before I work on them. They are under warranty though. But looking online you can get a can of 1234yf for $25(amazon) to 50 at autozone. Jl capacity says 1 pound which is 2 cans so let's say $100?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/opteon/chemours-opteon-r1234yf-refrigerant-10-lbs/fre1/1234yf

the price has indeed came down but its still very expensive. each shop sets their own rate per oz; parts wants to make money off the freon too

 

[roaniecowpony]

You are off by a couple zeros. A can of refrigerant is $10-15. I don't know the JLs capacity but when I replaced my sons compressor,vacuumed the system, and filled from empty in his civic it took about 2 cans so let's say $30. I had to buy a small kitchen scale to measure the second cans weight to get the proper amount.

I'd agree with others sounds like compressor and valve should be replaced. I never did ac work before but a shop wanted about 2k and a new compressor was only 300-400. It's not to complicated.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...GJLY-GLKyAceaTlIWL-pmO_rcvNRwEyRoCuP4QAvD_BwE

Given the symptoms, I would surely inspect the expansion valve/orifice for debris. If any is found, there are some actions to repair the system.

If there's debris in the system, all the hoses need to be flushed (usually off the vehicle), the compressor should be replaced since that's the likely source of the debris, the condenser/desiccant needs replacing, the expansion valve should be replaced, the evaporator needs to be thoroughly flushed at least or replaced. If the evaporator is not replaced, a filter should be installed to prevent any remaining debris from getting back to the other components.

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