Mazda AC question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #1 08-13-2003, 09:09 PM

I took our 'ol 1988 Mazda 626 out to the county to pick up some stuff today. It was warm (about 30C/86F) and I noticed the AC in the ol gal just didn't seem "ice cold."

Now, I don't expect the AC to keep up with it's stable mates, but it just seemed not quite as powerful as I remember. It did keep me comfortable though.

Before I go trying to problem solve, does anyone have one of these cars? Are they capable of cold-cold AC, or is it just my fading memory? Maybe after 16 years it 's time for a new expansion valve and receiver-drier.

Botnst · #2 08-13-2003, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes
Before I go trying to problem solve, does anyone have one of these cars? Are they capable of cold-cold AC, or is it just my fading memory? Maybe after 16 years it 's time for a new expansion valve and receiver-drier.

I have an 89 626 with 205K miles. At about 180K the A/C started slowly leaking R12. I poured money on it at a local shop and the problem went away. It cools like a fridge, but now the blower is beginning to intermittently chirp.

Botnst

blackmercedes · #3 08-13-2003, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
I poured money on it at a local shop and the problem went away. It cools like a fridge, but now the blower is beginning to intermittently chirp.Botnst

The blower is a snap to change, located under the glove box. I haven't done ours yet, but I was doing some other work under there, so cleaned it out.

When you say "poured money on it" what parts did you have to change? Is the diagnosis difficult?

Thanks!

Botnst · #4 08-14-2003, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
I have an 89 626 with 205K miles. At about 180K the A/C started slowly leaking R12. I poured money on it at a local shop and the problem went away. It cools like a fridge, but now the blower is beginning to intermittently chirp.

Botnst

The world "refrigerant" is a little-known french word that means, "Don't touch".

I didn't diagnose it but I'll bet I still have the bill. If I find it, I'll get back to you with more accurate info.

The shop put the dye in the system and he found a leak--maybe in the valve through which the system is recharged? I think that's right. He convinced me that the system was old enough that as long as he had it diagnosed that I should do some other stuff, too. I think I plunked about $175 for a new valve (or valve components?) and some seals and the R12 recharge.

BTW, when we lived out in the country in S Mississippi I collected (I swear!) at least a pound of bugs and soil on the condenser and radiator. I didn't notice it until one time when I was washing my car (this was years before I read that post on this forum about properly washing the car--I'd go months without washing, and then run through the car wash, now th epaint job looks like hell). It didn't affect the A/C that I recall, but a look at the heat exchanger system might save some money.

Botnst

Darrell Woods · #5 08-14-2003, 10:57 PM

I own a pristine '88 Mazda RX7 convertible with just over 100,000 miles on it. The ac still blows very cold. In fact, of five cars I have, it's the best ac of all (or at least tied for first...the wife's '89 260E is still great; 75 SL and 90 pickup neither work; 96 Landrover is just o.k.)