Car Trouble!!

[Babalonian]

Yeah could be the core.  Compressor was replaced just before I bought it, so that's not too likely I don't think.  It hasn't been used to speak of.  I looked into the evaporator and it's about 1200 bucks to replace, so if that's it, I'll be keeping the windows down until the gar gives up the ghost.  You know, another 10 years or so.  I do love the car. 

You sure it's a new compressor and not a rebuilt?  PITA, but check it's numbers, see if it has a manufactured date.  Here in LA a working AC is almost a must and lots of places here offer to rebuild the compressor for cheaper than a new one.  Problem is that they only last maybe another hot season or two before dyeing again IMO.

[CAP1]

You sure it's a new compressor and not a rebuilt?  PITA, but check it's numbers, see if it has a manufactured date.  Here in LA a working AC is almost a must and lots of places here offer to rebuild the compressor for cheaper than a new one.  Problem is that they only last maybe another hot season or two before dyeing again IMO.

i've had good luck buying rebuilt compressors from napa. theirs seem to last awhile, and i've not had a customer complain about one yet.

also try this. i think,......not sure though....but i think uyou can go to pep boys, and buy a dye kit. inject the dye into the a/c system, and then charge it up, and enjoy it till it leaks out. then get a black light, and go looking for the dye. it it shows up neon green under the black light.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

You can buy R134A, with leak detector, and a can tap to put it in with, at WalMart. You can even buy a cheap black light in the fishing section of the sporting goods department.

[maddafinga]

Well, if it's that easy I may have to go on ahead and do that then instead of waiting to take it to my shop that I like.  Cheaper is always better unless it costs me hours of my life and cut up hands.  I can't work with cut up hands, which means I can't pay my bills so well, and I'm no fan of that situation.  I'll hit the Mega Lo Mart this week and see what I can see.  It would be truly wonderful to have ac.  That thing blows fiercely, it just blows warm is all. 

[CAP1]

You can buy R134A, with leak detector, and a can tap to put it in with, at WalMart. You can even buy a cheap black light in the fishing section of the sporting goods department.

good call.....i forgot about that.

one thing i also forgot to mention......with the uv dye.......you need yellow glasses. if it's a big leak, you won't, but for minor leaks that don't show much trace, you will.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Well, we said it might be that easy to find the leak, we never said anything about how easy it would be to fix it.

[Babalonian]

Well, we said it might be that easy to find the leak, we never said anything about how easy it would be to fix it.

QFT!  Haven't had an AC problem in my life I couldn't diagnose myself... economicaly afford the repair though is just a whole seperate subject on the other hand.  It never is "just a hose somewhere".

And Cap, I had no idea Napa sold rebuilt compressors, good to know.  Typicaly here in LA you get your compressor rebuilt the cheapest, and that usually means by Bob's or Tito's Auto A/C, Tinting and Bail Bonds.

[smoe]

I had this problem on an 89 Chevy Impala a while back. It turned out to be worn fuel injector seals. Gas was pouring in into the upper manifold intake throttle (similar to a carburetor setup) and around the seals. The car would sometimes idle very ruff, but run smooth when moving above 5-10mph. I saw the excess amount of fuel dripping into the throttle body and thought an injector was bad. I went up to the auto parts store to get another. They didn't have any injectors in stock, but I bought a throttle body rebuild kit instead. I was bored that evening and rebuilt the throttle body anyway, figuring the injectors could be replaced later as they were on top. As it turned out the rebuild kit was all I needed.

Also, probably wouldn't hurt to replace all the plugs. When removing these, place them in the same order they were in the car. You can then compare each one and find the cylinder with the problems.

I would also check the egr valve and intake manifold air idle control. I don't remember the exact name of the air idle control thingy, but this car may have it. It is a plunger that opens and closes to adjust for more or less air into the upper intake. It takes the place of a self adjust mechanical choke.

When does it seem to run rough, hot or cold?

[CAP1]

QFT!  Haven't had an AC problem in my life I couldn't diagnose myself... economicaly afford the repair though is just a whole seperate subject on the other hand.  It never is "just a hose somewhere".

And Cap, I had no idea Napa sold rebuilt compressors, good to know.  Typicaly here in LA you get your compressor rebuilt the cheapest, and that usually means by Bob's or Tito's Auto A/C, Tinting and Bail Bonds.

napa has a lot of good stuff. sometimes, they're a bit pricier than other avenues, but in my experience, and opinion, it is well worth it. 

[CAP1]

I had this problem on an 89 Chevy Impala a while back. It turned out to be worn fuel injector seals. Gas was pouring in into the upper manifold intake throttle (similar to a carburetor setup) and around the seals. The car would sometimes idle very ruff, but run smooth when moving above 5-10mph. I saw the excess amount of fuel dripping into the throttle body and thought an injector was bad. I went up to the auto parts store to get another. They didn't have any injectors in stock, but I bought a throttle body rebuild kit instead. I was bored that evening and rebuilt the throttle body anyway, figuring the injectors could be replaced later as they were on top. As it turned out the rebuild kit was all I needed.

Also, probably wouldn't hurt to replace all the plugs. When removing these, place them in the same order they were in the car. You can then compare each one and find the cylinder with the problems.

I would also check the egr valve and intake manifold air idle control. I don't remember the exact name of the air idle control thingy, but this car may have it. It is a plunger that opens and closes to adjust for more or less air into the upper intake. It takes the place of a self adjust mechanical choke.

When does it seem to run rough, hot or cold?

89? you probably had a tbi 305 or 350. those tbi's were pretty good actually. the aftermarket holley fuel injection kit resembles them.

 if you wanna see something pretty neat, take your timing light, and hook it up. remove the air filter housing, and with the engine idling, point your timing light into the venturi. you should see a very nice atomized spray pattern.
 this is easier with an advance light, as you may need to adjust it a little to see the pattern well.

[tokenjo]

I'm a little late on this one, maybe you got it fixed?  My gf 01 bravada had similar problems.  Started running rough, voltage drops and dead battery.  Ended up being fuel pump.  Get the fuel system pressure checked.

Tokenjo

[uptown]

Sounds like a loose rocker panel to me.

[CAP1]

Sounds like a loose rocker panel to me.

or it could be this.

[Masherbrum]

  CAP!

[CAP1]

CAP!

would you believe i worked with a mechanic in his 40's that wouldn't hesitate to do that? when i told him it was wrong, all he ever said, was
"well, the machine told me to put the weights there."

 i told him to go jump off the rt 42 bridge. he didn't listen.