2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Bonehead Air Conditioning Mistake?

[JHutson]

I have a 2001 and my A/C wasn't cooling as good as it should and the compressor was clicking off and on do to lack of freon. The dealer said that the evaporator , the thing under the dash was most likely leaking. so he pulled a vaccuum and said he would put some dye in it and refill it and if it should leak out with in the next 11 months bring it back for a free replacement and even if it doesn't leak out still bring it back so they can check it with a black light for leaks. And still replace it reguardless . He said this is a common failure with the trucks. He said the tubes begin to corrode for some reason he said he has seen a rash of them in the last 2 months. Even in some other vehicles. Has anybody had the same problem with their truck. I had a 98 gasser with no problems.

 

[JHutson]

I have a 2001 and my A/C wasn't cooling as good as it should and the compressor was clicking off and on do to lack of freon. The dealer said that the evaporator , the thing under the dash was most likely leaking. so he pulled a vaccuum and said he would put some dye in it and refill it and if it should leak out with in the next 11 months bring it back for a free replacement and even if it doesn't leak out still bring it back so they can check it with a black light for leaks. And still replace it reguardless . He said this is a common failure with the trucks. He said the tubes begin to corrode and he showed me a half dozen along side of his work area he has replaced . For some reason he said he has seen a rash of them in the last 2 months. Even in some other vehicles. Has anybody had the same problem with their truck. I had a 98 gasser with no problems.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Originally posted by I-6DZL

My a/c blows 39 to 41 out the center with it on the 3rd fan setting (i've found the highest fan setting is just too darn fast to get the most accurate reading) I would try what others have been saying, take some of the charge back out and try again.

curtis

Curtis, are you saying that your temps are not cold enough for you? 39-41 or so is what I managed to get today after I added freon. Plenty cold for me, although I've seen colder on some older R12 systems that's for sure.

 

[I-6DZL]

Chris

No sir not at all... . temps are plenty cold enough, just that matt had stated he intalled 2 lbs of 134 and it wasn't blowing cold enough for him, then i checked my sticker on the rad. support and mine said to install 1. 75 lbs of 134 (wich i did) and mine blows great. was just trying to inform him of what i've found with my truck and was only thinking he put tooo much in.

Hope this cleared up the confusion... sorry

Curtis

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Ah, I see now. I thought you were looking for a way to get it colder!



As for Matt, I think adding that much freon would be an overcharge big time and overcharging will overwork the compressor or damage it, and the temps from the vents will go up because the compressor is being overworked and not efficient.



I bought one of those WalMart gauges that goes on the LOW side and now that I've 'seen the light' I realize you must have a good set of gauges like the pros use so you can read the high and low side. The high side is the indicator as to how hard the system is working and is much more important. I bought a decent set (not the best, not the worst) of gauges and manifold a couple weeks ago and it's worth the small investment.

 

[Mutch]

I too have a 2001 with an evap leak - diagnosed w/ a freon sniffer and no signs of the UV dye. How hard is it to replace the evap? the mechanic i asked for a quote said it would take him 3 days to do the job...



Thanks!

Drew

 

[Matt42]

Three days seems a little long, but may include obtaining parts. You wouldn't be able to see the dye with an evaporator leak, unless you used a quart of dye and gave it a lot of time to ooze out of the HVAC box.



It's an ugly job and not for the faint of heart. How much was the quote?

 

[CumminsPuller]

More Questions........????????

I have a 99' and had a wire harness rub a hole in the lower A/C line that runs past my oil filter. Fan clutch was found bad and also had that fixed. After everything was completed, it worked great. Now that is has started warming up here in Louisiana with outside temps from 85-90 I have noticed my A/C has not been cooling as much lately and tonight I realized the compressor is not cycling anymore. It is always on on when A/C is selected in the cab. A side note: I am also haveing trouble with engine temps here lately and trying to figure that out aswell. When idleing, and the A/C on the engine temp will continue to rise until it reaches 190 and stay there. It has never done this in the past.



Jason

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Mackie007

As mentioned above you are a bit over charged, this was a result of adding too much oil

Unless I overlooked something in the thread, I didn't read where the oil in the compressor was removed. If it wasn't, and you added the full required amount... . then I totally agree with Mac, you got too much oil in it.

 

[Mackie007]

Originally posted by CumminsPuller

I have a 99' and had a wire harness rub a hole in the lower A/C line that runs past my oil filter. Fan clutch was found bad and also had that fixed. After everything was completed, it worked great. Now that is has started warming up here in Louisiana with outside temps from 85-90 I have noticed my A/C has not been cooling as much lately and tonight I realized the compressor is not cycling anymore. It is always on on when A/C is selected in the cab. A side note: I am also haveing trouble with engine temps here lately and trying to figure that out aswell. When idleing, and the A/C on the engine temp will continue to rise until it reaches 190 and stay there. It has never done this in the past.



Jason

Jason,



Your system is most likely a few oz. overcharged by your description. But blocked airflow going thru the condensor can give you like symtoms. Yet you say the idle temp with the A/C on stabilizes at 190, which tells me the fan clutch is locking and able to pull enouph air to hold temp. So yes... most likely overcharged.



Best Regards,

Mac