Why won't my 82CE hold a coolant charge?

[luvmy82]

I need some help with trying to solve the mystery as to why my AC will not hold a charge on my 82 CE.

Here's some history of what has been done:

1) AC system has been completely and correctly converted to R134a. Previous owner did this.
2) When I purchased the car last year it was in February and did not need the AC until summer, and this is when I discovered it did not work. So, I took it into the shop and they did the following: recharged the coolant and found that the water control valve was not closing completely. They readjusted the valve.
3) They also checked any leaks with dye and black light and no coolant leaks were found. Chemical sealer was added for phantom leaks that couldn't be detected just incase.
4) Then, in June of last year I had to take it back AGAIN! Just blowing air. This time, they found that the heater control valve did not have any vac to it. Found out that the switch behind the glove box on the blend door was not moving enough to allow vac for the contol valve. It was adjusted and moved to control the vac. At this time, AC operated and temp was 47 degrees for the rest of the season last year.

Well, here it is spring again and checked for AC and ZIP, nada, nothing. Just blowing air.

Why can't the AC hold a charge? All the refrigerant is gone. Again.

Do I just go out and purchase an R134a charge kit and zap the AC when it's not working? Where in the hell is the coolant discharging from?

Who can help me out here?

 

[page62]

Points to ponder...

What does "completely and correctly" mean -- do you have documentation of this?

Were the hoses replaced? Original R12 hoses leak R134a like a sieve (at the molecular level, no less).

How old is the compressor? If it is not turned on regularly, the front seal will start leaking refrigerant.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

It seems to me that, unless you have the skills, you will need to take it back to a shop and have them once again check for leaks. Unless under a warranty I would take it to another shop that specializes in just a/c.

47 degrees is way too hot. My R-134 a/c blows between 35 and 40 degrees at cruise. In stop and go traffic with little air flow it can get much warmer.

Bob

 

[luvmy82]

Points to ponder...

What does "completely and correctly" mean -- do you have documentation of this?

Yes I have all documentation. Conversion is only 3 years ago.

Were the hoses replaced? Original R12 hoses leak R134a like a sieve (at the molecular level, no less).

Yup. Hoses were replaced

How old is the compressor? If it is not turned on regularly, the front seal will start leaking refrigerant.

Compressor is 3 years old.

 

[cscarlson]

I would have the compressor checked, did you change the ecumulator or hoses? the hose may have a small hole in it you cannot see , mine had a hole on the underside and i found it when i decided to chane the hose.

 

[luvmy82]

Were the hoses replaced? Original R12 hoses leak R134a like a sieve (at the molecular level, no less).

Page 62, I think you might be on to something here! I emailed the previous owner to get the history of what he did on the conversion. He said that he took it into a GM dealership 4 years ago (YIKES! I would NEVER take this car into ANY GM dealership, but that's besides the point) for the AC conversion.

He said that the hoses and compressor are original to the car. If that is the case, based on what you just said about the hoses is minimally, that they will have to go.

Can you please tell me where I can get these reinforced hoses ASAP?

If the compressor is original will that have to get replaced? If so, where do I pick up an AC compressor for an 82CE?

 

[Tom73]

I had a leak in the evaporator core and you could not find it dye as it is enclosed in the dash and the sniffer could not pick it up again because of it being in the dash. It would bearly leak when running but when turned off it would dump the load. Finally found it by sticking the sniffer in the dash air outlet after the engine was shut off.

tom...

 

[Bob Chadwick]

If the compressor is original will that have to get replaced?

That should be okay for the time being. Replace the hoses first and see if that takes care of the problem.

 

[luvmy82]

That should be okay for the time being. Replace the hoses first and see if that takes care of the problem.

Anyone know where I can get new hoses?

 

[KOPBET]

Anyone know where I can get new hoses?

Sounds like you're on to something with the hoses. I've had problems in the past with the shrader valves leaking. Only leaks after the gauges are disconnected.

 

[cscarlson]

You can buy caps for the valves and put them on after you disconnect the gauges, the new hoses come with caps

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Anyone know where I can get new hoses?

I would think that NAPA, Autozone or any of the parts suppliers would have them.

 

[page62]

The 82 CE has nothing special in terms of A/C equipment -- basically the same as my '79. And that means parts are relatively cheap -- including the oh-so-common R4 compressor.

If the auto parts stores can't help you, there should be an Auto A/C parts supplier in your area. Check the yellow pages.

BTW: I decided to stick with R12 when I had my system overhauled -- by the best shop in town -- last year. A thousand bucks later, I still have no regrets!