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2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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LisaValaisLamb
New User
Oct 31, 2021, 8:47 PM
Post #1 of 8
(820 views)
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2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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2007
Toyota FJ Cruiser Base Model 2 wheel drive
V6 (241Ci) 4.0L (1GR-FE), MFI
Mileage: 100,800
Hello All:
Can the engine coolant system/fluid directly or indirectly affect AC performance? Or, can an engine coolant system service affect (good or bad) AC performance?
Backstory:
3 weeks ago did some 100,000 mile maintenance on my FJ: Engine Coolant system service/fluid flush, Transmission Fluid Flush & replaced front/back shocks. After I got it back, my AC only blows cold air at night (60 degrees outside). And even at night after it’s been running a bit or on the freeway, it’s no where near as cold as it was before the service. During the day it’s worse (70 degrees outside). I can just barely feel cold air if I put my hand right next to vent & put the vents setting to blow only up top. Before the services I mentioned above, AC was blowing cold no matter how hot it was outside. It would even blow cold when idling, but blows very warm now when idling.
I didn’t notice this problem till about 2 weeks later. After I got it back, had a cold spell outside & wasn’t using the AC. But had a couple warm days in a row this week, used the AC, & then realized the issue. However, it was very warm in the days leading up to the service so I had used the AC right before I took it in. (Live in So Cal by beach & in winter it can be 80 deg one day & 65 the next).
When realized issue, called repair shop right away who did service. Was told the engine coolant service/fluid flush-replace has nothing directly or indirectly to do with the AC… that it was just a funny coincidence. So they want to charge me again ($152) to check AC/recharge it & add “freon” if it’s low. And more $$ if there’s a bigger issue (leak, etc).
My Question(s):
Is the repair shop being truthful that the AC problem is “purely coincidental” & has nothing to do with the engine coolant system and service they did?
He also told me the “freon” for the AC is a separate fluid than the coolant for the engine. Is that correct?
During the engine coolant service, could/should it have been discovered that the AC system had leaks?
If AC “freon” is leaking, would there be a puddle under the FJ after it sat for a while?
If I dont turn on AC, how long can I wait to get it fixed? I don’t have the money for repairs, so might be about a month before I can.
Things I’ve Tried:
Some experiments on the AC as described above (when it’s blowing all hot air, temp of day, changing vent settings, running the car on fwy, etc.) Nothing I try causes AC to blow at the cold temp like it did before service.
Last thing I’m going to try is changing the cabin air filter… it’s due. I haven’t tried that yet before posting because don’t have the funds to buy one right now (was also going to try to change it myself). But if it was the cabin filter, I logically would have had this problem before the service(s).
***below is the engine coolant service portion of the repair ticket @ service was completed:
Thank you all in advance!
FYI: I have no automotive repair experience - so am seeking advice on whether repair shop was truthful & then I can decide whether or not to take it back to them. I have only taken it in to them once before for spark plug replacement & had no problems.
Lisa
(This post was edited by LisaValaisLamb on Oct 31, 2021, 8:48 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2021, 3:07 AM
Post #2 of 8
(808 views)
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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Lisa,
Do this first. Check the level of engine coolant at the recovery bottle see if it's within the "H" and "L" marks indicating high and low for temperature the engine is.
It would be very unusual for "engine coolant" to alter performance of A/C so rare let's not beat on it.
Know that the #1 reason for marginal (I'll call it) performance is that system is low from a leak that could be faster or about normal if so slow it's a first for a 2007 to be touched.
Your observed temperatures are so mild is typical of So. Cal. near ocean. Day vs night highs and lows are envy able to most other places I could live without A/C and most would if it stayed like that.
You said $150ish bucks to service A/C if that includes leak checking, vacuum out all (freon) and recharge it to specific amount put it back to normal that's a great price for your area especially.
Just know it's a gas - gaseous that is, under pressure just sitting there it's hard not to leak over years of use at least some. There's no sure way to know it's full without removing what's in it and refilling it to a known specification.
If this was a trick to get you to pay more I hope not and doubt it as this could happen to any vehicle with A/C at any time and could mean you need more work about now nobody needs more work so even a crooked tech playing games if good otherwise shouldn't be looking for more work,
Tom
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LisaValaisLamb
New User
Nov 1, 2021, 5:41 AM
Post #3 of 8
(801 views)
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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Tom - Thank you so much for your response. Will check engine coolant level and post an update. I am actually very glad to hear it would be rare that the engine coolant system & service has anything to do with the AC. I know it sounds crazy but I did want it to be a coincidence because that means nothing was done by the service/mechanic to cause the problem… and she’s just gettin’ old!
Quick question - the level I’m going to check… is that the “Freon” antifreeze fluid for the AC or is that the engine coolant they flushed & replaced? Or are they the same thing & are in the same bottle? I’m guess I’m confused on the difference between the coolant for the AC and the coolant for the engine. I thought they were 2 separate fluids: one was the coolant for the engine & the other coolant or antifreeze for AC.
Thanks again - will post update
PS: Will try to send some beach weather your way! It’s 54 deg right now (early morning)- & that is freezing to me!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2021, 6:00 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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Engine coolant is "Antifreeze" that you had changed is a liquid sold in gallon bottles to the public.
The A/C is like "computer duster" is a liquid under pressure and gaseous when not. If compressed by a compressor (car, home + other) it when cooled (three things happen at once) becomes a liquid moves in a car that way till it's forced to evaporate.
Trying to make a simply explanation out of a science of its own. What that liquid "evaporates" it take away heat. Then what is cooler/cold air blows to interior of a vehicle.
Another so you understand it's not DIY friendly to deal with, work on it. No dipstick tells you it's full.
The property of a liquid that evaporates is it takes heat - about anything. You perspire when that evaporates your skin is cooler than is was.
If you spray or rub isopropyl alcohol on your skin it evaporates faster so cools faster.
Products chosen to do this magic for human use will vary. Cars are moving and speeds of all actions needs to be controlled on a vibrating engine or how it's powered is wide open for hoses and parts to leak that remarkably do NOT for a long time most of the time. Some is lost over long time alone seems very likely for this so I default to nobody is fooling with you.
That price is/was very reasonable for an honest check for leaks, remove what is in there by machine $$$$ that cost a fortune and put back what that vehicle's amount is exactly. Then it should work as you expect. If it didn't last there's a lurking leak but let's not go there you need that first by a very good description of what you observed.
This stuff costs and isn't easy I do not smell anything wrong with what you were told should be done,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 1, 2021, 11:50 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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Check one more thing here.
Turn on the AC and verify the fan is running. An inoperative fan would also cause your problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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LisaValaisLamb
New User
Nov 1, 2021, 1:42 PM
Post #6 of 8
(778 views)
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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Hammer:
Opened up the hood, car on & AC at max. Between the front grill and I guess the engine was about 4 different pulley system type circular things with belts running along them. They all were running fine. Where would the fan be? I looked all around & was looking for something like this:
I had it idling for about 1 min… then pretty cold air was coming out of the middle and passenger side vents… but super warm on driver. WTH! I looked real quick online & bc I don’t have dual zone AC, it’s probably not the drivers side temp door actuator/servo motor. It’s still a low freon/needs recharging issue. Also my cabin air filter was very dirty.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 1, 2021, 2:09 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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We don't have that vehicle here so I don't know what it is equipped with. I was thinking it had an electric fan.
Your symptoms sound like it's low on refrigerant but don't just add. Have it evacuated and recharged with the proper amount,
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 1, 2021, 3:52 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: 2007 FJ Cruiser-AC blows hot @ Engine Coolant Service
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I've seen them Hammer. Some look like super serious off-road beasts like some real Safari Land Rover type things.
Quick look can get some wild assortments serious thru civilized. Who knows but saw one with belt driven fan for engine was a white plastic no doubt clutch I would think?
It's from S. California so said??
Tom
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