08 Denali Air Conditioning Frost

[tgui]

Its been *just* warm enough here (mid 70's) to use the AC. I'm seeing frost on the AC (condenser?). Is this normal? I know NOTHING about AC systems.

The AC blows DAMN cold!

I'm taking a long road trip soon and don't want the AC to fail.

 

[kbuskill]

That is the dryer not the condenser.... Your system may be slightly under charged causing the evaporator (the part that gets cold under your dash that the inside air blows across to get cool) to freeze up and subsequently the dryer which is bolted to the evaporator but its on the engine side of the firewall.

Check your freon level... If its low add a little.

If its not then the office tube may need changing.

The dryer should get cold and have condensation dripping from it but it should not be freezing up like that.... I'm guessing it is slightly under charged.

If you add freon I would get freon with the UV leak detector dye in it so if it leaks out again it will be easier to find the leak.

 

[tgui]

That is the dryer not the condenser.... Your system may be slightly under charged causing the evaporator (the part that gets cold under your dash that the inside air blows across to get cool) to freeze up and subsequently the dryer which is bolted to the evaporator but its on the engine side of the firewall.

Check your freon level... If its low add a little.

If its not then the office tube may need changing.

Can I get my freon level checked and topped off at some place like Autozone?

 

[tgui]

I ran the ac hard for a while. After parking for 5 min the thing melted and ac still was blowing cold.

 

[kbuskill]

How long had it been ran in the first pic with it froze up???

Autozone or the like cannot/will not check it but you can buy freon with a hose and gauge attached. If its not causing any problems then I would leave it alone for the time being.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

If it is blowing cold keeps you comfortable don't waste your money

 

[undy]

That is the dryer not the condenser.... Your system may be slightly under charged causing the evaporator (the part that gets cold under your dash that the inside air blows across to get cool) to freeze up and subsequently the dryer which is bolted to the evaporator but its on the engine side of the firewall.

Check your freon level... If its low add a little.

If its not then the office tube may need changing.

The dryer should get cold and have condensation dripping from it but it should not be freezing up like that.... I'm guessing it is slightly under charged.

If you add freon I would get freon with the UV leak detector dye in it so if it leaks out again it will be easier to find the leak.

Not the dryer, it's the suction accumulator. The dryer is on the high side of the refrigerant circuit. The suction accumulator is on the low side (which is what you're seeing).

If it's frosting up one or a combination of the following is happening:

1) low pressure switch has failed.
2) Cabin filter is totally clogged
3) evaporator coil is clogged.
4) dead/inoperable indoor fan motor

Don't try adding refrigerant or changing the orifice tube as this will only exasperate the problem.

 

[tgui]

I ran it super cold for a long time and it froze over to the point of no air blowing.

I stopped by a shop. Found it was low. The system was flushed? and dye was added. No leaks yet defected. They said a clogged orifice or bad switch were common problems too.

It works fine now but I'll be watching it like a hawk. Oh and no more frost.

 

[Fosscore]

Good info on this thread as we approach summer. My A/C is on almost daily now.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

Good info on this thread as we approach summer. My A/C is on almost daily now.

Yea no shit you live in the Sunshine state, Glad I live in the Moonshine state. Maybe we need a sticky for AC Issues or a separate section just for HVAC just my 2cents!!