nenikol

Hi all, new to the forum. Below is a timeline of my issue, trying to keep it simple and easy to understand.

- Got the van, A/C not blowing cold
--> Charged the A/C with 3 cans of R-134, blows cool but definitely not cold.

- Brought it to a mechanic, he recovered, vacuumed and recharged. Was blowing a little cooler but still not cold. He said AC compressor is weak.
--> Replaced A/C compressor and accumulator, vacuumed, recharged, still blowing cool but not cold.

- Took it back to the mechanic, he says the orifice tube needs to be replaced.
--> Replaced orifice tube, vacuumed and charged, now it blows even less cool.

Any ideas on what to check next?

VEHICLE -> 2014 EXPRESS 3500 PASSENGER, V8 6.0L , DUAL AC

oilcanhenry

The stupid idiot should have replaced the orifice tube the first time. If your compressor was truly gone you'd likely need to flush the entire system as particles from the compressor will clog up the A/C system, so you might need to replace or flush the condenser, as well, which is my educated hunch. If the condenser is not cooling the R-134A down low enough it will result in higher coolant temperatures.

Does your Chevy come with a passenger compartment air filter? If so, get a new one installed or install one. Did this idiot use the correct amount of PAG lubricant (most Chevy's use PAG 150)

You want 45 F or less at the center dash vent. You can get a dash thermometer at any parts store for cheap. Just put it inside attached to a vent fin.

nenikol

@oilcanhenry thank you for your input. Is the passenger side air filter located in the cabin, if present? He did put PAG lubricant. However I believe it called for PAG 46.

oilcanhenry

General Motors issues Bulletin # 02-01-39-004B replacing PAG 150 oil with a lower viscocity oil. Thus now indicates PAG 46 (P46D) oil for those vehicles.

Yes, it would seem that your vehicle did come with the PAG 150, but this GM bulletin would indicate that PAG-46 is okay to use in your Chevy. It is just lighter weight A/C PAG oil. If your Chevy comes with a passenger compartment air filter it will indeed be under the dash on the right, passenger side of the vehicle, likely somewhere behind the glove compartment.