Cyber Logic

OK so car has 95000 miles or so, is a 2001 and I have never had any issues whatsoever with the Air Conditioning system. Yesterday when I got into my car to drive to a client it was blowing hot and has continued to do so since. Before that it's always been ice cold. I can hear the condenser? kick on when I turn on the air conditioning but no cold air comes out. Thoughts? My only suspect is possibly a recent freon leak but I don't have much experience with AC issues. Freaon just doesn't go bad does it? ie after 14 years with the car does it just need a recharge? The only other thing I'll add is yesterday in the McDonalds drive thru a woman backed into the front right bumper of my S2k... maybe a 3-5 Mph accident.. no dents or anything just some paint scrapage. I really doubt such a thing could have affected my AC but I find it aweful coincidental that it happened yesterday and my AC fails to work today so figured I'd add this bit of info just in case. Thanks in advance.

mugen_rsx09

Maybe just needs a recharge, most common thing in cars.

Cyber Logic

Well that would be promising. So it's entirely possible that after 14 years of standard use that it just needs a recharge? Am I understanding that right? Ie a leak wouldn't be necessary for it to need a recharage after 14 years? Is there any downside to using the new diy can's of freon you can purchase at pepboys and such over going to a shop and paying out the arse for it? Thanks!

SheDrivesIt

Yes, there is a downside, you have no idea what the charge state is of your system. Don't guess and blindly add freon. Take it to a shop with proper skills and gauges. Freon doesn't "just need to be recharged" for no reason. If it does, there is a leak. It may be slow, but there is a leak.

Mike in Detroit

When you take it to a shop they can also put die in with the Freon to see where the leak is.