Hello everyone here at this forum. I have not been able to read or post anything since I have been out of state for a few months. Anyway, getting ready for the summer here in AZ. saturday I was driving around and it was kind of warm so I turned on the A/C and nothing but hot air. I checked the pressures and both at 0. I vacuumed down the system for one hour, put 2 cans of R134 in it and also put some dye in it to check for leaks. I drove the truck around and than checked for leaks on anything connected to the A/C system and I did not see any leaks at all. Lines are new, compressor is only a few years old and also the dryer. New orifice too. So that leads me to the evaporator being the cause unless you guys have other suggestions for me. My question is? How hard is it to replace the evaporator on this truck. I heard from a friend that the complete dash has to be removed. That sounds like a difficult job. Can someone here that has done this before give me some opinions or suggestions on how its done. Is there a chance that I can remove it without taking out the dash. I have a 88-98 chevy manual but when it comes to A/C service, it says that the A/C system will not be discussed here because of the danger of the possibility of the person getting injured. I would appreciate any and all the help I can get.

 

I’d recommend driving it for a week or so - that’ll give the dye time to accumulate in the area of the leak. The AC should also engage with the defroster if it’s not warm enough for normal AC use.

If the evaporator is leaking, it can be confirmed by checking for dye from the drain tube on the firewall.

You should be able to get a decent look at the condenser through the grill.

There are also electronic leak detectors - your local parts store might have one available for rent.

 

Thank you Gumby for your help and suggestions. I did check the condenser for leaks at the lines coming in and also at the overall area's of the condenser. I removed the grill to get a better view of the condenser. I replaced the condenser the same time I replaced the compressor a few years back (Not too many,around 4) I will check the drain hose to see if I can see any dye there.

 

You cannot be harmed if there is no pressure in your A/C system. But you'd be well to make sure, Yes, the evaporators can go bad, but not frequently unless they have been dry/unused for a long time.It is not possible to replace it without taking most of the lower dash out to get to it. Gumby22 is spot on with using leak dye.

 

Thank you oilcanhenry for your comments. Today I put 2 cans of refrigerant with some dye too. I am going to drive it until saturday and than I will check for leaks.I really hope its not the evaporator cause it is a tough job but I will do it if I have to. Will keep you posted.

 

While I'm waiting for the A/C dye to move around the system to check for leaks, I wanted to ask about another problem that I have on this truck. Last month I replaced the power steering pump cause it was making a loud noise. I also replaced the lines since they were still origional. I filled up with tranny fluid and started the truck up. I went ahead and removed all air from the steering system. The problem is that the steering is kind of hard to steer, not smooth like it should be. Its drivable but just hard steering, especially when I am making a turn. Last year the seal on the steering gear was leaking and since I did not have the tools to replace it, I took it to a shop to have it done. No leaks after that. I also replaced the serpentine belt. What else could it be that is causing this problem? Thanks for your help.

 

Are there any grease zerks on the ball joints or steering linkage? If so when’s the last time they were greased?

Are the tires wearing evenly or showing signs of alignment being off?

 

Thanks!

We like to know how our posters vehicles turned out. I didnt' have any leak dye in my 1998 K-1500 Chevy but added it, as I had a small leak. Thankfully it was only the low-side schrader valve seeping R-134 A so no big deal to change. 24 year old A/C compressor still working fine.

 

Thanks Gumby22 for your suggestions on the steering problem. I had it greased about a year ago but I have not taken it in for wheel alignment check. So, if the front end is out of alignment, that would cause hard steering? I know that it will wear the tires off sooner but did not know that it would affect the steering. What has me puzzled is that the steering was normal before I replaced the pump. It all started after I put in the new steering pump and hoses. It was making a loud noise but still steering good.
Do you think I should put this steering topic on a different post or just keep it here. I was thinking since this heading mentions A/C, nobody would know about me talking about problem #2.

 

Funny how we started with an evap question and wound up with a steering situation lol.

If everything you checked checks out , there is a good possibility the pump assy is questionable.
Can we ask where it came from, because at some places parts origin matters.