Replaced all A/C parts. Charge appears good. Not blowing cold.

[swathdiver]

This HVAC system in this truck has been a nightmare from day 1. I used to be able to give it a charge a few times during the summer and it was fine. Each year it degraded until finally the charge was leaking right out somewhere. No matter how much dye and nights with a black light I never found it. This year before summer starts I decided to replace everything. Evaporator, Compressor, Condenser, All lines, The accumulator etc. I even added an Aux electric fan. All parts are aftermarket. Condenser is half as thick. Charged it up and Even though i can feel the liquid going through the expansion line into the evap and I can feel the heat coming from the discharge of the compressor and condenser , I cannot get air temp from the vent below 60 while driving. I need to get new adapters for my gauges to hook up and check high and low side so for now all i can go by is the dummy gauge on the refrigerant can. I also have access to the evap from a hole I cut to remove it and then covered it up with the cutout and some tape. I even checked the evap while running and it is not getting any frost, No water drip from the drain pan. This is driving me nuts. All this work for it to work the same as the old parts..Very frustrating to say the least.

Did you change the service port?



This little bugger was the culprit on two of our GM vehicles. Glad it was as the repair was cheap! Was hard to detect with our Harbor Freight sniffer.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I have a pretty serious UV flashlight. I will have to get another can of dye. I also just ordered an electronic refrigerant leak detector off amazon for 27 bucks . I am hoping it will be something stupid like one of the pressure switches. Since the engine leaks oil it is pretty dirty under the hood. But all my components are brand new. All new lines also.

I think I paid like $7 for my UV light haha. It could be something simple like a switch or the condenser could be getting way to hot. You said it was half as thick? On an rx7 I helped retrofit with AC we used a jeep condenser and shoehorned it into place with the V mount setup. Long story short the condenser is very small due to V mount space restrictions and the AC never feels Cold just cool. Even with electronic fans directly on it the condenser can't cool enough because its too small.

 

[MattysHoe95]

Did you change the service port?



This little bugger was the culprit on two of our GM vehicles. Glad it was as the repair was cheap! Was hard to detect with our Harbor Freight sniffer.

The new High side and low side lines came with welded ports.

 

[MattysHoe95]

I think I paid like $7 for my UV light haha. It could be something simple like a switch or the condenser could be getting way to hot. You said it was half as thick? On an rx7 I helped retrofit with AC we used a jeep condenser and shoehorned it into place with the V mount setup. Long story short the condenser is very small due to V mount space restrictions and the AC never feels Cold just cool. Even with electronic fans directly on it the condenser can't cool enough because its too small.

Lol I think I paid about 15 for the one I have. It has about 50 leds. Yeah, The condenser is about 1" thick vs the factory one which is more like 2" But I read others using the same one without cooling issues. I think once I figure where this leak is and It holds vacuum better, It should be pretty good.

 

[exp500]

A/C is one of those don't ever get in a hurry jobs! Sounds like you are on track to a resolution. Keep us updated!

 

[OR VietVet]

Evaporators are famous for very slow PITA leaks but so are the service ports.

 

[MattysHoe95]

I am going to have to wait a day or two before I can continue due to rain. As soon as I get the electronic leak detector and more refrigerant with dye I will see what happens and post an update. Thanks to everyone that replied!

 

[exp500]

Like I said above, you may have ice. Takes at least an hour if you have rear air. Hard to boil water without a torch! Pull it down for 1/2 hour, block it in and observe. Pull it down 3 times far as you can, try to hold an hour. Look for leaks while youre waiting. Black lights best at nite too.

 

[MattysHoe95]

I have had about enough of this. I got it to hold vacuum down to -28. But I cannot get it to take a full 12 oz can despite them taking about 3lbs worth. Pressures looked ok but it's not cooling worth a damn. That's what i get for using all ebay parts. I can't spend more money on it now so I guess it's going to be another hot summer while sitting in tourist traffic around here.

 

[OR VietVet]

Or have a qualified tech look at it for you.