trex305

Guys - My 01 Tahoe AC has recently started to get warm during idle speeds. I thought it was low on Freon so i bought a can and tried to charge it. To my surprise the gauge on the kit is reading in the YELLOW signaling overcharge.

When i feel the Top section of the charge tube (the section going into the cabin) it's cold, but when i touch the bottom section of the same tube (after the orifice) going into the condenser(?) it's BURNING hot. Is this normal? or is the orifice clogged?

How can the same line/tube be both HOT and COLD?

I'd attach a picture but i am not sure how to. keeps asking for a web URL.

I did notice that the engine cooling fan is spinning slow and when i spin it by hand it spins really easy with little resistance. although the truck is NOT running hot about 195, i will replace it this weekend.

Any thoughts on the AC would be helpfull as i don't really understand the system.

Oh - if need to drain the system to change the orifice:
1) how much freon does it take to refill?
2) Do i need to get the cans with the oil?

thanks for the help.

ebacon

It will fail to cool properly if overcharged, you are correct that the fan is (at least part of) the problem. The condenser brings in hot refrigerant and the heat is then carried away BR air moving thru condenser coil. That said when you remove the oriface, ***IF*** it is full of metal shavings around it that also is affecting your issue. If so I would suggest replacing oriface, dryer, compressor and condenser. But also flush the evaporator and lines to remove shavings. The reason I suggest replacing condenser is because if oriface is clogged the cond. is so full of metal you will never get it clean. The metal is coming from your compressor which is failing. The dryer also should be replaced. The idea here is to get all metal out and prevent more from entering. But again the first check is to fix the fan than should be pulling air into the grill