A/C issues.. Are these normal?

[-=Jeff=-]

So my A/c sort of works.. but i want it to work better (if that is possible)

Last year when I went on a 3 day trip with the car it had a hard time keeping the interior cool when the sun was out, if the sun was behind a cloud the AC worked better. Then I thought it was low on charge (it is converted to r134a)

This year I have the same issue, but not only with temperature but Volume of air coming out the vents. I replaced the blower motor with one I had. the blower motor I installed seemed to spin better then the old, but the volume is still not there

When I had the Blower out i looked to see if the Evaporator was plugged with junk, but looking through the motor hole, the Evap looked okay

Where do I need to look now? I know on a 90 deg day currently i get about a 30 deg drop out the vents so my A/C charge could be low, or maybe my Compressor just is not working as it should. (need to throw gauges on it again)

about 2 years ago with the AC on, the compressor did make and odd noise, I shut it off and then tried it a few weeks later and it seemed fine then and no issues since.

Since I have had to replace most of the accessories off the belt, maybe the compressor is bad and it is not cooling the ac as much. since on a High blower the ac air seems cooler then on a lower blower setting, while my Daily ride the air is cooler if the blower is slower...

Dunno, looking for suggestions and ideas of what to check next

[Aurora40]

FWIW, mine is fairly unimpressive in operation too. The air is cool, but the volume of air doesn't quite cut it. It definitely works better when the car is moving though.

I had mine discharged, the expansion tube changed, purged, and refilled (R-12) about two years ago to make sure the charge level was right.

If the car is always garaged when stopped, it seems to be adequate to keep the car cool. But if the car is baking in the sun, the A/C never really gets it cool again.

I sort of think that's just how the A/C is.

[-=Jeff=-]

thanks bob,

how is the temp out of the vents on the lower speed settings? mine seem like th only way I get cool air is on High fan (C60 so only 4 speeds) my 89 had better AC cooling ( out the vents)

[GOLDCYLON]

Mine comes out in the 55 degree region. I was having problems with air volume but I resolved that with a new blower motor a few years ago. I remember reading that the reason that we have that nifty front solar loaded glass was because GM undersized our AC compressors due to fitment issues with the LT5. So the engineering compromise was the Sun loaded front windshield. So if your not running with a factory windshield..... That will heat things up a little.

My Friend Phil was complaining about his volume of air recently in his 91. I think these above issues are a part of the problem or AC woes for all our cars. I know the Ac controller above the gas pedal can be a problem as well but the biggest problem with those controler have been to a soft vs. hard nipple collaspse in the 96 C4 platform only. This would cause an alternating flow between both the defroster and the normal vents.

My last thing to say Jeff is you mentioned you converted the car to 134A. I have done this to a few cars over the years and both times I have been completely unimpressed by the cooling abilities of both vehicles. I would have used the artic freeze stuff or maybe a few cans of R12 from Mexico and not recommend converting over to 134. I realize you live in IL Jeff do I can understand not taking a run to Mexico (LOL)

Bob made a few good comments as well. The AC performs well when the car is moving, check underneath the car to see if the evap fins are bent or clogged as well. Just some comments and Ideas. GC

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

And you guys in AZ are fighting illegal immigration when they are bringing you R12

Who said they are bring it in lol

[-=Jeff=-]

Yeah R134a is not the best and the cool is not that of r12. but it is easier to get... LOL

I do have a regular replacement windshield which I know does not help.


for cooling I think I am going to buy a Parallel flow condenser to replace the tube and fin that is stock

[rhipsher]

I'm still running R12 but the A/C always sucked on these cars from everything I've heard. Youd think with as small of a cabin space we have that it shouldn't take that much to cool off. Another problem is that the transmission creates allot of heat that radiates up through the shifter boot. If I set my cell phone in one of the cup holders my cell phone gets really warm. So the A/C has that working against it to. More insulation would help in that area.

[John Boothby]

Are you using the Auto mode? There is also a HIGH mode, you may want to check that to see if the volumn increases. My A/C works fine out here in Nevada. My problem is the engine starts to overheat in city traffic with the a/c on.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by John Boothby

Are you using the Auto mode? There is also a HIGH mode, you may want to check that to see if the volumn increases. My A/C works fine out here in Nevada. My problem is the engine starts to overheat in city traffic with the a/c on.

I have no auto mode.. I have C60 not C68.

I ordered a parallel flow condenser. After talking to a refrigerator guy at work ( as well as a car guy) he thinks the Compressor should be fine/ big enough, but the condenser might not be efficient enough, especially with r134a. He suggested I find a parallel flow Condenser to try which would improve cooling. I found one and bought it. once I get it I will post details, it is suppose to be a direct fit to our cars. I noticed that the 97-present corvettes also use a parallel condenser over the older tube & fin like we have.

maybe that is all I need.. (hope so)

[pantera1683]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

I have no auto mode.. I have C60 not C68.

I ordered a parallel flow condenser. After talking to a refrigerator guy at work ( as well as a car guy) he thinks the Compressor should be fine/ big enough, but the condenser might not be efficient enough, especially with r134a. He suggested I find a parallel flow Condenser to try which would improve cooling. I found one and bought it. once I get it I will post details, it is suppose to be a direct fit to our cars. I noticed that the 97-present corvettes also use a parallel condenser over the older tube & fin like we have.

maybe that is all I need.. (hope so)

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