Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Dougflas on Tue August 16, 2011 5:20 PM

Year: 1998
Make: Chev
Model: Astrovan
Engine Size: 4.3
Refrigerant Type: R134A
Ambient Temp: 99*
Pressure Low: NA
Pressure High: NA
Country of Origin: United States

I hate when my own vehicles break. Compressor clutch burning. Went to store and AC inop. Get there ...smoke. OPen hood...clutch a smoking away. Used my fire extinguisher on it. Luckily I carry one. Turned off AC. Belt and pulleys turn. So compressor is seized or clutch is bad.

OK GM TECH..where are you? Does anyone know if I can get to the compressor to change it without pulling the dog house? May as well replace compressor while I'm in there as it's OEM (72,000 miles)

GM Tech on Tue August 16, 2011 5:24 PM

Piece of Cake! no need to pull doghouse-- just pull out air cleaner snorkel and air box-- 4 13mm bolts and 1 15mm manifold block bolt--- hpco switch connector on rear of pump to unplu after you pull it out halfway....super easy-- money maker! Stand-up job too!

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Edited: Tue August 16, 2011 at 5:24 PM by GM Tech

Dougflas on Tue August 16, 2011 5:37 PM

Thanks, it looked that way but wasn't sure.

Dougflas on Sat August 27, 2011 4:05 PM

Money maker my butt. I'm glad I don't depend upon repairing vehicles for a living as I'd be broke. My hands are too big for small places. If I were a drinking man, I'd be trashed by now. My hands look like meat loaf. Pulling a vacuum right now 160 microns. Will post a photo of my set up later this eve.

Gm Tech was right on as far as not pulling the dog house.

Dougflas on Sun August 28, 2011 3:41 AM

There is a pic of my set up. I don't use a regular manifold to pull vacuum. I use large hoses made for pulling vacuum. I reached 100 microns after about 55 minutes. I let it pull for about 1 1/4 hrs.