What's Wrong With My A/C???
Question:
I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take it to an AC repair shop?)
Response:
Are you sure it gets warmer over time? You should likely check with a thermometer in the vent or something to make sure it’s not just your imagination. The water dumping is normal; the water the unit takes out of the air has to go somewhere, just like the drain line on a home unit. This is especially noticeable if it’s very humid. — Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada Home Page: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/9967 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my >A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of >operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes >out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). >Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take it >to an AC repair shop?)
Response:
> I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my > A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of > operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes > out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). > Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take it > to an AC repair shop?)
Sounds to me like it is freezing up
Response:
Actually, I think you’re right. I suspect that it’s freezing up. My home unit was behaving in a similar fashion. Once I cleaned the filter (which I do now every month) the problem cleared. I live in Florida so we definately have a surplus of humidity in the air. Any suggestions on what can be done for the Safari? Cars don’t have A/C filters do they???
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my > A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of > operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes > out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). > Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take it > to an AC repair shop?) >Sounds to me like it is freezing up
Response:
>Actually, I think you’re right. I suspect that it’s freezing up. My home >unit was behaving in a similar fashion. Once I cleaned the filter (which I >do now every month) the problem cleared. I live in Florida so we definately >have a surplus of humidity in the air. >Any suggestions on what can be done for the Safari? Cars don’t have A/C >filters do they???
A/C units freezing up is often (usually?) due to a low Freon level. Might wanna have it checked…
Response:
My compressor died on my S-10, actually it was the bearings that froze or what was left of them. It just stopped turning and that prevented the belt from moving all rest of my vital machinery. This took a week or so before it completley froze up, had a lot of strange noises before that. I don’t know if compressors need oil or if lack of freon alone will somehow mechanically freeze them. Anyone? Last summer, my AC seemingly died after a while. If I put my hand right against the vent, I could feel coolness yet it didn’t seem as cold as usual and the air wasn’t moving. But it was a $26 blower that was the culprit. This probably didn’t help but I’m just along for the GM experience anyway. John
Response:
Replace the compressor, accumulator, and orifice tube. A new A/C R4 compressor should run you about $200, the accumulator is about $50, and the orifice tube a couple of bucks. Once the compressor is frozen, you might as well trash it. Adding oil will not help now. Running a compressor with no freon in the system is also not a good thing, so if your system was empty, then this may have contributed to the problem. Anyone know (or remember) if there is a low-pressure cutout switch on an S10? (I suppose it might depend on the year model…) Mine froze up on my 84 S10 about 2 years ago, and the new equipment is working great right now. I’d go with an OEM A/C Delco compressor (3-yr warranty). You might also want to check the condition of the flexible lines, and replace if they are very old. If you are a DIYer, this all can be done in an afternoon (except you’ll have to have the system leak tested and filled by a qualified garage). Later, Norm > My compressor died on my S-10, actually it was the bearings that froze or > what was left of them. It just stopped turning and that prevented the belt > from moving all rest of my vital machinery. This took a week or so before it > completley froze up, had a lot of strange noises before that. I don’t know > if compressors need oil or if lack of freon alone will somehow mechanically > freeze them. Anyone? > Last summer, my AC seemingly died after a while. If I put my hand right > against the vent, I could feel coolness yet it didn’t seem as cold as usual > and the air wasn’t moving. But it was a $26 blower that was the culprit. > This probably didn’t help but I’m just along for the GM experience anyway. > John
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Response:
Most likely your evaporator is icing up.This is usualy a symptom of another problem.Much better to take it to a specialist. It could invove a lot of disassembly to find the problem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my > A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of > operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes > out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). > Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take it > to an AC repair shop?)
Response:
> I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go > on long drives my A/C does not blow air as strongly nor > as cold after about three hours of operation. When I > stop I also notice that very large amounts of water comes > out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind) > Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my > piggybank open and take it to an AC repair shop?)
BACKGROUND: One classic thing that causes this is that the drain tube in the airbox has become clogged up and the water builds up and ices over the bottom of the evaporator. Once the ice clogs the bottom, that part is no longer warmed by air flow and the upper part becomes colder. When the upper part of the evaporator gets colder, it can ice over as well. Normally, enough air flows through the evaporator to keep it warm enough to avoid ice over. Of course, this assumes that the expansion valve prior to the evaporator is set properly. Of course, real life events can create "undiagnosable" problems. In my case, the GM car had somehow sucked in a bunch of down/bird feathers and that clogged up the front of the evaporator enough to restrict airflow and cause it to ice over after about 20 minutes. It was a good thing there was a warranty as the shop had to have two visits to figure it out. SUMMARY: 1. Clean out your drain tube for your A/C. Ask your dealer service dept for some advice how or look up the Chiltons/Sams. If the telephone doesnt give good advice, I’ve noticed that by dropping by in person, I can usually find someone who will tell me what I need to know. 2. Other suggestions not valid as you didn’t indicate if it was serviced recently, if parts were replaced, or if leaks were detected. 3. Crack the Piggybank if cleaning the drain tube is too hard to do or if cleaning it does not prevent your icing problem. Good luck, Startide http://profiles.yahoo.com/_Startide_ DVD DIVX Alert: http://www.bandivx.com
Response:
Getting a little off topic here but I know there are some very strong opinions of various Kragen, Checker, and Pep Boys cheaper parts. For instance, I got an AC compressor for $85 w/ lifetime warranty compared to the Delco which was, if memory serves, almost $300 with a 2 or 3 year warranty. From my experience with these parts, alternator, blower fans etc. These all have lifetime warranties and are all the "cheap" parts. I figure, why the hell not? However, I have heard many horror stories regarding the "cheap" parts for European cars. Anyone care to share their experience or opinions on this? thanks, John
Response:
Car air conditioners do not have filters (at least GM doesn’t). I would check to be sure you have good air flow thru the evaporator coil, and that the coils are clean. Also the low temp limit switch may be bad causing the unit to overcool. Roy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Actually, I think you’re right. I suspect that it’s freezing up. My home > unit was behaving in a similar fashion. Once I cleaned the filter (which I > do now every month) the problem cleared. I live in Florida so we definately > have a surplus of humidity in the air. > Any suggestions on what can be done for the Safari? Cars don’t have A/C > filters do they??? >> I have a ‘94 GMC Safari. I have noticed that when I go on long drives my >> A/C does not blow air as strongly nor as cold after about three hours of >> operation. When I stop I also notice that very large amounts of water > comes >> out if the unit (a pretty good sized puddle is left behind). >> Any suggestions/advice (or do I need to crack my piggybank open and take > it >> to an AC repair shop?) >Sounds to me like it is freezing up
