AC wasn't getting the truck cold quickly enough, so I bought one of those low side gauges to see what was going on. As soon as I removed the low side cap, I heard a small pop and could see that the schrader valve was hissing slightly. So there's a leak there. Went ahead and hooked up the gauge, and it immediately went up to the above green area (between 60 and 70 psi). This is with max ac selected, and the compressor clutch is engaged. When I pulled the gauge off the low side, the valve was leaking even more.
So obviously the schrader valve needs to be replaced -- does that thing just screw out of there or does the housing need to be replaced too? I hope not -- it looks expensive. And any ideas why the pressure would be so high on the low side? Maybe the compressor isn't compressing? It is really hot here at the moment -- when I was working on the truck ambient temp was probably 105 at least.
I'm about to call some AC places but I wanted some more info before I do. I don't have a vacuum pump so an AC place is going to be needed at some point during this operation.
Edit: it is a 99 tahoe with the rear ac option.
So obviously the schrader valve needs to be replaced -- does that thing just screw out of there or does the housing need to be replaced too? I hope not -- it looks expensive. And any ideas why the pressure would be so high on the low side? Maybe the compressor isn't compressing? It is really hot here at the moment -- when I was working on the truck ambient temp was probably 105 at least.
I'm about to call some AC places but I wanted some more info before I do. I don't have a vacuum pump so an AC place is going to be needed at some point during this operation.
Edit: it is a 99 tahoe with the rear ac option.
