AC Doesn't Work

[greghamilton]

Hello, new to this forum. How are you all doing? I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado that the AC only blows hot air. I attempted to add freon today, but instead I found a leaking hose that goes from the cannister to the condenser. I replaced that as it had developed a hole rubbing on a metal hose for 312K miles. Before replacing the hose, the pressure never built up, I guess the stop leak didn't work. After replacing the hose, I filled till the beginning of the yellow area on the gauge. Still doesn't cool and this is just sitting in the driveway. I cleaned off the condenser, still nothing. Could it still be the compressor even though it turns? Could it be a fuse? Thanks.

[Cusser]

Hello, new to this forum. How are you all doing? I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado that the AC only blows hot air. I attempted to add freon today, but instead I found a leaking hose that goes from the cannister to the condenser. I replaced that as it had developed a hole rubbing on a metal hose for 312K miles. Before replacing the hose, the pressure never built up, I guess the stop leak didn't work. After replacing the hose, I filled till the beginning of the yellow area on the gauge. Still doesn't cool and this is just sitting in the driveway. I cleaned off the condenser, still nothing. Could it still be the compressor even though it turns? Could it be a fuse? Thanks.

Adding Stop Leak or sealer might be a game-ending move, a huge mistake.

More mistakes: sounds like accumulator was not replaced, sounds like system was not evacuated of moisture air, sounds like real gauge set and addition of R134a by weight was not done.

[JohnHere]

Cusser is correct.

Unfortunately, unsuspecting folks think that the "miracle charge-and-seal in a can" is a good thing. But it's actually just the opposite. Sealer, a.k.a stop-leak, can and usually does clog up a system to the point of total ruin. Knowing that sealer is in a system, professional A/C shops will refuse to work on it because the sealer would destroy their expensive equipment, too. I wish that stores would just stop selling it.

That being said, you're probably looking at a total system replacement. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, you'll have to decide whether its worth the considerable expense for all new components.

[greghamilton]

I wanted to give an update on this post in case anybody ever runs into this again. I was able to work with a friend from work that knows a lot about AC work. We installed a new accumulator and orifice tube, then pulled a vacuum on the system and checked the leak rate. Found a couple of leaks. One was where an o-ring was sticking out of a fitting that looked like a schrader valve but wasn't, but rather something like a ball bearing pushing up against an o-ring. Had to push the o-ring back down with a pair of hemostats, that fixed one leak. Then found where when I had replaced the line earlier that I installed the big green o-ring that came with the line up against the metal/rubber gasket. I removed the o-ring and just left the gasket and that fixed another leak. After this, we got a good leak rate. Then we pumped on the system for about half an hour and he added freon. I turned on the AC on high for about 15 minutes and it fogged up the windows so bad I couldn't even see in the truck. It's awesome to have AC again here in Texas about to go into August. Very thankful did not have to donate a kidney to get it working. Cost me $42 for the accumulator and orifice tube, then bought his dinner a couple of times to reimburse for the freon.