2016 Navion 24J Air Conditioner Problems

[Tom G.]

Hello, Forum users. I’m new to this group although we’ve had Winnebago RVs since 2016, our first two being Minnie trailers. We recently purchased privately a used Navion motorhome and we are currently on our first major road trip south. Our Coleman Mach air conditioner is blowing air but not cooling. I took the rig to a nearby RV service place yesterday and he said everything seems to working. He said he could hear the compressor kick in and there was no need to test the coolant/Freon level. I asked if it might be a thermostat problem and he said since the blower fan is working, it should be fine. When I asked him whether the compressor might need to be replaced, he said he doesn’t do that, just replacements. We are travelling with two dogs and need to get this resolved. If we need to replace the AC unit then of course we will, but I want to first ensure that such is required. Any advice advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all.

[creativepart]

I assume you're someplace warm enough to need A/C? So, let's go with that.

If you don't have an instant read thermometer pick one up at a Walmart or Grocery Store. Then insert the instant read thermometer into your A/C output air ducts. This should tell you the level of cool (or not) that you are getting. The A/C usually can lower the outside air temp by ~20 degrees. So, if it's 75 outside you should see air temps around 55 degrees.

If you are sure you have the thermostat on the correct settings. There is no reason you should not get cool air on air conditioning mode. And, there is no port on an RV A/C unit to "refill" the refrigerant. The Tech is correct - when the compressor fails or the refrigerant leaks out the standard procedure is to replace the whole unit.

Some folks remove the unit and take it to a small air conditioning repair shop and talk the folks there into reconditioning the unit. But that's not common procedure.

[Tom G.]

Thanks very much for your quick reply. The info you provided is very helpful.

[Morich]

Small point on the temp testing.
Don't compare outside air to what is coming out of the AC but look at the difference in temp of the air going into the AC with coming out! The rootop AC will likely have an inside air intake, rather than using outside air.
It may be 105 outside but your AC is getting 80 degree room air and trying to lower it by 20!

[Tom G.]

Thanks very much, Morich.