2020 Kia Forte AC not blowing cold air... any solutions?

Kia Models Forum Forte
1

Hi everyone, my 2020 Kia Forte’s AC has been acting up. Initially, Freon was added, and it worked for a few days, but then it stopped cooling again. More Freon with dye was added, and a minor leak was found due to a worn-out O ring, which was repaired. After that, the AC worked briefly but then failed again. The compressor has also been replaced, but that only solved the problem temporarily.

When it does work, the cooling is uneven, with the passenger side being colder than the driver’s side. There’s also a loud noise when the fan speed is turned up past half. No other leaks have been found, but the evaporator inside the dashboard hasn’t been inspected yet. Could the evaporator be the culprit, or is there something else I should check?

2

It sounds like the evaporator could be the issue if no other leaks were detected. Unfortunately, checking it requires removing part of the dashboard, which can be costly.

3

Donna said:
It sounds like the evaporator could be the issue if no other leaks were detected. Unfortunately, checking it requires removing part of the dashboard, which can be costly.

Thanks, I was afraid of that. Do you know how much a replacement might cost?

4

@Rafaela
Expect to pay around $500 or more, depending on labor costs. Definitely worth getting it checked, though.

5

The uneven cooling could be related to a blend door actuator. If it’s not functioning correctly, it might not direct air evenly.

6

lindalaureb said:
The uneven cooling could be related to a blend door actuator. If it’s not functioning correctly, it might not direct air evenly.

That’s a good point. I’ll ask the mechanic to check that too. Thanks!

7

The noise from the fan might just be debris or an imbalance in the blower motor. Have you checked the fan for anything stuck inside?

8

Ash said:
The noise from the fan might just be debris or an imbalance in the blower motor. Have you checked the fan for anything stuck inside?

Not yet, but I’ll have that inspected as well. Hopefully, it’s something simple!

9

If you’ve already replaced the compressor and fixed a leak, it might be worth checking the AC system pressure. Overcharging or undercharging can cause problems too.

10

CathyGenesis said:
If you’ve already replaced the compressor and fixed a leak, it might be worth checking the AC system pressure. Overcharging or undercharging can cause problems too.

That’s a good idea. I’ll have the pressures checked next time I take it in. Thanks for the tip!

11

Freon shouldn’t be depleting that quickly unless there’s a leak. If the evaporator checks out, consider inspecting the AC lines for pinhole leaks.

12

DaniellaSilva said:
Freon shouldn’t be depleting that quickly unless there’s a leak. If the evaporator checks out, consider inspecting the AC lines for pinhole leaks.

Good suggestion. I’ll make sure to have the lines checked again just to be thorough.