Ac -help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ksems]

hi all -

not a good day here

I have been without my car for 2 months trying to get this AC crap to work.
I have replaced the Compressor , Accumulator, Evaporator.
I went through several Accumulators before finding one that fit.
Then while recharginf , I discovered that the system had a leak...and a hefty one at that....in the evaporator ( big pain of a job ).....oh and my compressor was toast.

So I replace everything and go to finally charge up this morning
( been at it 4 hours ) and my car takes about one can of refrigerant and thatsit.....all the while the Compressor is cycling on/off on/off on/off ....nonstop

then after about 5 minutes.....no more cycling ...nothing out of the vents...nothing period.

This car is on its last legs with me.....I feel like Ive had enough of this unless something goes my way.

Thanks for any help
Kevin

 

[Yoda]

Kevin,
I wish I could help you here. I know very little about air conditioning in our cars. I take mine to a very good mechanic about every 3 years and have him empty the system under vacuum then recharge it with R12. I know he says it's extremely import to pull a vacuum then when recharging the system to add oil for the Compressor, Evaporator and Condenser.

About the only thing I can suggest is to check all the fuses, vacuum lines. The Shop Manual says to Check for

• Loose Missing or Damaged Compressor Drive Belt
• Loose or Disconnected A/C wiring or connections
• Blower motor fuse

then it has a trouble chart.

Maybe Mike or one of the other guys can jump in and help. Good Luck wish I was more help

BudD

 

[ksems]

thanks Bud,

went ahead and took it to the shop this morning and dropped it off to have them flush, pull vacuum and refill....Im pretty spent and dont want to deal with it anymore....phew....

I might have them go ahead and do anything else they may find in the process.....running out of time before Sharkfest to do stuff myself...

See ya in BG soon

Kevin

 

[Vette81]

Kevin

I replaced the Compressor and drier on my 81 a coupe of years ago and had no problems. Like Bud said, it is important to have the system completely evacuated before it is charged.
Also when you replace the compressor it is important to measure the oil, if I remember right it only takes a couple of ounces. You may want to check the low pressure switch to make sure it is not bad. Sorry I can't be of more help. Like Bud says, maybe there are some experts out there that can jump in.



Darrell

 

[Vette81]

Kevin

I Forgot to ask : Did you converted to R134A?





Darrell

 

[ksems]

Darrell-


well I was tryng to convert to 134-a


the new evaporator, accumulator and AC conpressor are all r134-a compliant.

Im keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well tomorrow.
I talked to the mechanic today and he thought they would get to it first thing Monday morning....

please please please :BOW ...let it go smoothly :eyerole

Kevin

 

[DDLS3]

Kevin, I hope your conversion went better this time. I recharged my AC last year without any conversion of the components. A technition in Maine recharged my system with 401B, which closely emulates the old R-12. I'm going on 14 months here and the AC still pumps out cold air. 401A & B is used routinely in heavy equipment and trucks. This is a little late to be much help for you but maybe someone else can take advantage of this option. See ya in BG.

 

[ksems]

well.........

Dale -

The car is in the shop right now...has been all week

Apparently they flushed , vacuumed, filled.
Everyhting seems to be working, compressor is cycling,
pressure readings are good, etc.

however I get no cold air out of the vents...just mildly warm air..
if I move the lever to hot, the air gets really hot out of the vents.

they are now puzzled , and I am mentally spent...

Im also having them do lower control arm bushings and lower ball joints on the front.....but they havent even started on that and Ive been with out my car since last friday..........

ready for all this to be over

Kevin

 

[Yoda]

Kevin,
Have them check to make sure the switch is operating the vent controls in the vents themself. It could be that the actual switching in the duct work itself isn't switching properly.. could be from not enough vacuum to the console switch diaphram being wore out.. Of course it could be something else all together

Hang in there!

BudD

 

[c4ever]

ksems,
Wish I had an answer. I struggle with having REAL A/C in my 82 also. I would suggest taking it to an A/C specialist. (recommended preferred). Those guys do know their stuff.
Best of luck. See ya in BG

Carlo

 

[ksems]

got the car back today....

the AC is working

It certainly isnt ice cold coming out of the vents, but it is cool air.

Im not sure these cars ever had "ice-cold" air.

The mechanic put a variably orifice filter in it to make it run a little cooler...he also adjusted the heater door ( said it wasnt closing all the way )

I may eventually take it to an AC Specialist , but not right now.
I need some driving time.

I had the lower control arm bushings and lower ball joints replaced as well......front end is definitely tighter now

Kevin

 

[DDLS3]

Thats Great news Kevin now go and enjoy the ride...... My 81 has been sitting for way too long. We just got moved from Maine to Kentucky last week and the house has consumed all my time. But tomorrow is another story........Blue hits the streets of Columbia, KY

 

[OUR81]

A/C help

OUR81 (which since has gone on to a new home) had the same thing with the A/C. It worked but not really cold. Here's what I did: Remove the glove box and you will access the end of the cable from the heat control that actuates the lever that turns the flap inside the heater box. It may have become bent over the last 20 years to the point that it doesn't close off the heat completely. I added a spacer over the tab at the top of the lever to allow it to close all the way. TaaDaa!! Cold air!!!
Now, if the A/C itself isn't working, that is a whole 'nother ball game...see a qualified Servicer for that. A/C is nothing to mess with if you are not familiar with it.

 

[mga]

correcting the a/c's on the c3's require some attention to detail. make sure your floor boards, console, firewall is covered with heat/ sound barrier. be sure your water valve is either closed or bypassed. wrap heat insulation around your a/c box since it sits about 2" away from the exhaust manifold---it gets hot!! be sure your plenum doors are working right. insulate the a/c hoses from the compressor back by using the black foam a/c tape. be sure your condensor is clean, be sure your fan is working right. be sure you are not drawing air in from bad weather stripping under the hood near the fan intake. be sure you are not drawing air from around the a/c unit...check underneath too!! as far as freon goes, that's your choice. r-12 is going to get hard to find no matter who you know. the older systems were not designed to work well with r-134. i use something called "enviro-safe" and have had excellent results. if you feel a need for more air power you will have to go to a larger squirrel cage fan. that means probably a new blower motor that will have to be "adapted" to fit. old cars get dirty and dusty inside that duct work. especially on the heater core and a/c core and will restrict air flow. all these things helped and i am one happy camper in the summer in my '91.

 

[ksems]

gus

please see update thread....AC now works

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16377