I was cruising around just as it was starting to cool off last Fall when the a/c in my '89 Coupe decided to give out. The entire freon charge was rapid expelled directly through my vents, as well as out from under the hood on the outside of the car. The whole thing purged out in about 20 seconds time and I just about choked on the stuff.

I have no clue about a/c systems, or what kind of malfunction would have caused this type of dramatic depressurization, but I'm figuring it's not going to be a cheap fix.

Has anyone had this happen, and of so, what are the most likely types of repairs I can expect? Any guestimates as to how much lighter my wallet is going to be after this?

 

Well it sounds like the evaperator coil went out. Price for replacement, I have no idea.

 

I agree.

 

Evaporator usually gets a corrosion leak and go slowly. But anything can happen. Find someone with an electronic leak detector and stick it in a inside vent and jumper the compressor on for a few seconds. You'll find out quick it the evaporator is trashed.
If you have to replace the evaporator you might think about what your long term goals are ( gonna keep the car?). If you have a huge hole the accumulator might need changing if it stays open long. How old is your compressor? Is it stringing oil on the bottom of the hood?
When something finally gives up in my all orginal parts 87 I'm going to trash everything that might be any where near the problem.
An evaporator isn't cheap but you can find good parts for reasonable prices any more. If a condenser has trash in it change it to. A lot of good shops won't even try to flush one, they say you'll never get all the trash out of it.
NEVER by a rebuilt GM R4 compressor. A new one is the only way to go for the price. Most rebuilt parts store compressors are trash.
I would'nt put R134 is a vette in LA. Go with one of the drop in mixes or HC and it will cool like new.

JS

 

Your evaporator has corroded through, that is the only way it can come out the vents inside the car. You will need a new evaporator, its the metal "radiator" inside the black box on the back of the engine com,partment that the hoses from the compressor leads to.
You can install it yourself but it is a pain to do, as you will need a technition to test it and fill it with freon you would be better having them do the whole job if you are not familiar with A/C repair.
jerris

 

If you replace everything under the hood, new OEM - with the exception of the high pressure line which is long out of production - the parts will run about $1200. If you can wrench (and realize that you're dealing with aluminum so take it easy and back up any fittings with another wrench), you can replace it yourself. The Evaporator - about $200 - is a given and it's a matter of removing everything in the way to access it (and taking off the right head makes it a lot easier, but it isn't necessary). Do make sure that you reseal the case; otherwise, most of the cooled air will end up in the engine compartment and not come out of the vents.

The Accumulator - about $60 - is also a given. You may need a new main hose too, about $100, as it often rust welds itself to the Accumulator and no amount of heat, WD40 or banging on it will get it loose.

Your Nippondenso compressor is a stout unit, but has an affinity for the front shaft seal, so check for oil on the hood above it. New ones don't include the clutch assembly and the whole shebang is about $500 to $600.

Condensor's are relatively cheap - you get a whole lot more aluminum than the puny Evaporator, but at $200, they're about the same price. Replacing it means you don't have to fish out all the bugs and little stone chips that are plugging up the bottom of the original. It also means that you don't have to try and flush out whatever junk that's inside of it, though if the compressor didn't seize when you lost all the gas, it's probably nice and clean.

What you put back in it is a matter of choice. The original stuff takes a license which you can get on line for $25 - www.epatest.com is one site. Others are listed at www.epa.gov. Since you know nothing about a/c, getting licensed is one way to learn enough to keep you safe.

R12 - the original stuff; and R134 are getting closer in price. No one wants the original and Dupont can't make enough R134. If you avoid the golddiggers - try Autozone where R12 runs anywhere from $10 to $15 per can. You can buy all you need (3) for about $45, by far the cheapest part of what you need to fix. (PS - you also have to buy some a/c oil).

In order to get it back in and before you even try, you've got to get all of the air out of it. That takes a vacuum pump and a set of gages - if you're going to tackle this, post again for specific instructions.