A/C Troubleshooting
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 0
From: FL
A/C Troubleshooting
Hey team,
Since I purchased my C5 a few years ago the a/c has been questionable. About a year ago I had it pressure tested and they said there were no leaks but that it was low on freon. Had it refilled and 125 later I was out of there. Didn't notice much difference from it being filled. Now after the winter has passed I tried to use it this year and it absolutely blows only hot air out. It's better off to put the windows down in 95 degree weather.
Any ideas as to where I can begin? Are there differences in 97-04 a/c parts if im to try to find some lightly used parts?
Since I purchased my C5 a few years ago the a/c has been questionable. About a year ago I had it pressure tested and they said there were no leaks but that it was low on freon. Had it refilled and 125 later I was out of there. Didn't notice much difference from it being filled. Now after the winter has passed I tried to use it this year and it absolutely blows only hot air out. It's better off to put the windows down in 95 degree weather.
Any ideas as to where I can begin? Are there differences in 97-04 a/c parts if im to try to find some lightly used parts?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Easiest fix could be cleaning the evaporator, the radiator looking thing right above the front air damn -- just poke your head under your front plate holder and take a look, you can find everything from cig butts to rodents. Clean it out with a pressure washer, or just hose and nozzle, not a stick(it will bend the vents) Other than that, if it really starts acting up it could be the vacume lines from the back of the intake manifold to under/behind the battery, 'specialy if it is the stock battery....
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
Sounds like there was a leak but the first shop couldn't find it. Refrigerant does not just disappear, it either stays in the system or it leaks out. Try another shop. There are many types of leak detectors and dyes that can be used, some better than others.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,094
Likes: 7
From: Stillwater Oklahoma
A couple of things to check.
Does the compressor kick on? - you can see the pulley on the compressor will start to turn when the clutch on it engages.
If your compressor is working the ac line beside your exhaust on the passenger side will be cold enough to condense water.
Does your outside air temp read right?
Those are some good starting points
jason
Does the compressor kick on? - you can see the pulley on the compressor will start to turn when the clutch on it engages.
If your compressor is working the ac line beside your exhaust on the passenger side will be cold enough to condense water.
Does your outside air temp read right?
Those are some good starting points
jason
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 0
From: FL
The evaporator is pretty dendted up and filled with rocks. I just replaced the radiator when it cracked. I tried to clean it out with a brush and got a lot of stuff off but it's still old. That may be part of the problem but the A/C is like turning the heat on.
I fixed the vacuum lines a while back behind the intake manifold, I now have a optima red top.
The outside temp sensor was just changed out as well and reads correctly now.
I fixed the vacuum lines a while back behind the intake manifold, I now have a optima red top.
The outside temp sensor was just changed out as well and reads correctly now.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 0
From: FL
I agree with ya there. I think there is a leak but also another problem since it wasn't even very cold after I got it refilled. I've been in other corvettes and it freezes you out.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Thats the CONDENSER the EVAPORATOR is INSIDE THE CAR
Easiest fix could be cleaning the evaporator, the radiator looking thing right above the front air damn -- just poke your head under your front plate holder and take a look, you can find everything from cig butts to rodents. Clean it out with a pressure washer, or just hose and nozzle, not a stick(it will bend the vents) Other than that, if it really starts acting up it could be the vacume lines from the back of the intake manifold to under/behind the battery, 'specialy if it is the stock battery....
I just cleaned my CONDENSER with something called NU BLAST. Its triclorethylene and does't need rinsing. You put your front end up like on Rhino Ramps and use the 18 oz aerosol can starting at the top and working your way down the condenser. Don't see any difference since I cleaned it. Before using this I washed the condensor with a hose and spray nozzle and then used a SNOW BRUSH to do a rudimentary cleaning. You could use an air hose and a long spray nozzle too.
I would get an inexpensive set of guages like from Harbor Freight for $39 and then charge the system right. The capacity is just under 2 14 oz cans so from scratch 2 cans should do it. I did replace the valve cores at the charging ports and the orifice tube as they are cheap.
Don't forget to replace the plastic caps over the service ports too.
BIGHANK
Last edited by bighank; Aug 6, 2007 at 05:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 4
From: Riverside California
No, it wont affect the operation. They are there to keep the crap out of the ports so that when you attach your gages it does not push the crap into the system.They are not designed to hold high system pressures,the valve cores do that.
