Stupid Air Conditioning! Errrrrrrrrrrr

[Johnny Racer]

Charged up my a/c system yesterday on my 99 Yuk with rear air. Gave her 2.5 pounds. Worked nice when I did it to the point where it was colder than I had ever remembered it being (ambient temp was about 65-70 degrees yesterday when I did it). Now today less than 24 hours later, blowing like the mother in law... nothing but hot air (ambient temp being about 90 right now with high humidity)!

I baffled as to what in the world happened. I figured the system was still about a half a pound short on 134 but it should still be cycling the compressor. Well, its not. Is it possible to have such a large leak that in the period of call it 18 hours that it would have drained 2.5 pounds out of it or is it something more mechanically related ya think? I just dont wanna spend any more on 134 if it is just going down the drain so to speak.

Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

mine wont hold 134a for more than a half hour. somehow blew a seal between the lines and condenser. so yes you could def. have a leak that big.

 

[Johnny Racer]

Well after getting home I took one of those gauges that come on those refill cans and hooked it up. No compressor spin and no pressure on the gauge. This sucks. God only knows what it could be. Really hoping its not a compressor but sadly I know those are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay common on these rigs.

 

[nomad]

Compressor, no problem, Evaporator, Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Well after getting home I took one of those gauges that come on those refill cans and hooked it up. No compressor spin and no pressure on the gauge. This sucks. God only knows what it could be. Really hoping its not a compressor but sadly I know those are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay common on these rigs.

You better hope it's ANYTHING but the evaporator!!! Don't sweat the compressor, you can get one for under $100.00, hoses, acumulator, also under $100.00 and easy to replace, but that evaporator (cringe) will cost you about $200.00 for a genuine GM and the labor, OMG, the whole dashboard must come out. (That's why you would buy a GM evaporator and not some Chinese unit) You don't want to have to do this twice.

I had a friend that we just got done helping out with his 99 Yukon, after finding a leaky compressor, replacing the acumulator and the high pressure hose the evaporator has a leak that would blow out all the 134a within 2 days. After checking with the dealership and finding out what the parts cost we tried Cliplight 946 sealant kit. This stuff is amazing, it actually works on moisture, at the point where the leak is moisture in the air causes water to condensate at the leak, this stuff react with the moisture and seals the leak.

The only drawback is that it don't work on rotating surfaces (ie compressor shafts) but it will seal everything else. Just make sure you replace the acumlator as it probably has collected much moisture throughout the years. The kit comes in 2 forms, Cliplight 946 or 947 kit. Do a google search for more info.

Good luck!

 

[SunlitComet]

If you can get your hands on some nitrogen push it in the system under low pressure as see if you blew out your relief valve in the back of compressor. or get a leak detection probe that picks up on refrigerant.

 

[busafreak]

If you find yourself around the oswego/montgomery area anytime soon, come on by and we can put some nitrogen in it and spray to check for leaks before you go putting in more 134...

 

[Johnny Racer]

Well the good news is… its only going to be 90+ degrees with high humidity and a heat index of over 110 for the next 2 days. Bad news is the same as well. I know the truck has had a leak in it for the past year or two. I charged it last season and the season before that and it would stay cold all summer long but then over the course of winter, it would eventually leak out I’m assuming. So needless to say, I was putting a band-aid on a severed leg. LOL. No biggie there. I just hate the thought of having to replace the damned AC components cause its like a chain reaction it seems. Replace one thing and the next down the line will rear its ugly head sometime in the near future.

Like I mentioned, I know compressor seals on these things suck. Typical GM AC so I am not so certain if I would want to put some Chinese knock off compressor on at this time. It would suck to have to do this more than once. I have heard that the Sanden SD4440 was the way to go and made in America but they are pricey which is not a big deal if its gonna last. My question is, how many guys have had to replace their compressors, what have you guys put on, and what has been your overall luck with aftermarket stuff?

This thing has never blown super cold air in the front no matter what I have done. Rear has always been nice and cold so I would certainly hope that after I fix what needs fixing, that this remedies’ that problem for me. If anyone has any ideas on what would alleviate that, please fill me in. If it is in fact the compressor, it’s my intention to replace that, the orifice tube, and the accumulator all at once. Typically that’s what I have heard most guys end up having to do. I will hopefully know more this weekend when I can get it over to my buddy’s shop and check for leaks and what not.

This might sound like a dumb question here but what the hell… with these AC in a can gauges, do I need to have a can on the end of it for it to read pressure on the gauge? I would imagine not but then again, you never know. LOL

 

[Stresst]

I bought a kit at Pep boys with two can's (one which has dye), hose with guage and UV light for 48.00 bucks.

I feel your pain, I had to replace the hose, Y-pipe, orfice, accumulator, condensor, hoses that run fron to rear, expansion valve, rear evaporator and my a/c is blowing like shit whenever its 85+ degrees. Im so effin pissed!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

im sure my compressor and other parts are toast since the system has been empty for over a year now with that blown seal. its going to be almost 100 here before heat index tomorrow... may just have to fix mine as well. (damn!)

used to be a few threads on the chinese compressors (may have been on the old forum) but they aren't worth the money.

 

[SunlitComet]

If the can/adapter hose has a pull trigger don't pull it and you should be fine. If knob-bed just close it and you should be fine.